Nina has fifteen years of international policy and advocacy experience in diverse fields including environment, transport, industrial policy, taxation and health. She is currently Director of Policy and Advocacy at the NCD Alliance, a global civil society network including 65 national and regional alliances and over 1000 member associations dedicated to improving noncommunicable disease prevention and treatment worldwide. Prior to joining the NCD Alliance she was based in Brussels, as Secretary-General of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and previously as Deputy Director of the campaign group Transport & Environment. She has served as a board member of several NGOs, including the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), the European Citizens’ Organisation for Standardisation (ECOS), and Green Budget Europe, and has represented civil society on advisory groups to the UNECE, WHO, OECD and to the European Commission on international trade, better regulation, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nina Renshaw

1. Why are you investing your time & expertise in (an) association(s) and its advancement?

Because of the power of alliances to achieve meaningful change to policies that have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. It’s clear that we can achieve more together, when our goals are aligned and by combining the insights and talents from different perspectives and experiences. It’s all the more important for NGOs and civil society to show that we’re rooted in diverse communities and to pool enormous expertise, both academic and professional as well as the personal experiences of the people whose interests we represent.

2. In your experience, what are the 3 success factors for advancing associations?

Common sense of purpose, vision of what success looks like, recognize and showcase the talents of everyone across the network.

3. Has the AM world changed when it comes to diversity and inclusion?

Not nearly enough. When I arrived in Brussels in 2005, I would have expected the structural barriers, explicit and implicit discrimination and outright harassment that women routinely face at work to have been tackled long before 2020. We’re absolutely not there yet.

4. What advice would you give the next generation of association leaders who want to make an impact?

Believe that you have the power to make a huge difference. Look for a professional home and team working for the change that you want to see. NGOs have a great track record of being game changers in Brussels and beyond and are a rewarding place to develop your skills and career, but above all to make an impact.