Amanda Ellis explores international gender equality through women's access to finance. Her work's foundation of empowerment, independence and leadership training led to her serving on several international programs and partnerships. Her philosophies are rooted in supporting women through sustainable, ethical and global perspectives. Ellis' work has been used to create domestic and international policy for gender equality.

Ellis is the Executive Director, Hawaii and Asia-Pacific and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation at ASU.

Ellis has served as New Zealand’s Head of Mission and Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy. She was Lead Specialist in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Group at the World Bank Group in Washington D.C.. She is the author of two best-selling Random House books and has made several other publications in notable journals.