Not all heroes wear capes, or so the saying goes. The modern adage could so easily describe the 9-to-5 style of Global Citizen’s VP of business development and partnerships, Lizzie Edelman. The 28-year-old New Yorker has been working with the NGO to help devise social action around poverty reform and international women’s rights for the last three years, and prefers a cool, downtown look for the office. Leaning on a mix of pieces from the Brock Collection and Gucci, she’s able to help launch campaigns such as Level the Law, which seeks to repeal laws around the world that discriminate against women, and this weekend’s Global Citizens Festival in style. But much like a certain chic do-gooder (ahem, Amal Clooney), Edelman’s attention never wavers from her passion and philanthropic endeavors. Here, Edelman reveals how she fell into the world of global action, and the fashion pieces she relies on to feel good on the job. Altruistic Roots “I began my career working at my uncle’s PR firm, Edelman, which is where I fell in love with advertising and marketing. There, I learned how to be a great communications manager. My parents always reminded me how lucky I was, and instilled in me a responsibility to give back. I remember starting at the age of 12; I would go volunteer at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. This came with me during my time at Hotchkiss and Georgetown University when I helped run after-school programs for children in low-income neighborhoods. I studied political science at Georgetown and was very interested in public service and the role government can play in creating long-term and systemic change for the world we live in. My next step led me to a private equity firm where I would continue in a sales role in investor relations, but I quickly realized that I was not in a role where I thought I could make a significant difference. “At a bar one night I overheard a man speaking about Global Citizen, a nonprofit and social enterprise with a mission to see an end to extreme poverty and take on the world’s greatest challenges—and the best part was they were doing it differently. They were disrupting the nonprofit sector with a dynamic and impactful theory of change, and a fun approach to advocacy. I quickly committed all my spare time in my current role to help Global Citizen fund-raise and build strategic partnerships. I began as an associate, and was given the opportunity to grow over the last three years into a senior leadership role on the executive team as vice president of business development, overseeing all of our business strategy, fund-raising, and partnership efforts.” Dressing to Change the World “My days are often filled with a lot of meetings and calls where I’m sharing the vision and mission of Global Citizen. I tend to travel a lot to see partners in Los Angeles, London, Stockholm, Mumbai, and other cities, so I’ve learned to be a very good traveler. I dress myself in looks that can work for any occasion. An example of a day around this time of year can include a production and talent meeting in the center of the Great Lawn of Central Park, to meetings in midtown with our corporate partners, to drinks downtown, so as you can imagine, I need to make sure my look and my shoes will work for any occasion. I love having a blazer with me when wearing pants or jeans so I can always look a bit more formal if needed. Also, because I’m always on the move, I make sure to have my Converse sneakers or a pair of flats on me in case I’m in pain! I tend wear a lot of Acne [Studios], Isabel Marant, Organic by John Patrick, Steven Alan, Reformation, Helmut Lang, and Rag & Bone for my everyday routines.” Come as You Are to Global Citizen “The best part about Global Citizen is the ability to wear what you feel comfortable in. I go between wearing more formal outfits on days when I have external meetings with clients to more casual attire on days I’m in-office or on-site at our various festivals and events. My appearance and my style have always been very important to me, especially because I have been so involved in external relations at every company I’ve been at. I feel most confident when I feel pulled together.” Gucci for 9-to-5 “My favorite pieces I own are from Gucci and Brock Collection. My good friend Laura Vassar and her husband are the design duo behind Brock and continue to amaze me with their designs. Gucci, of course, speaks for itself, both their traditional pieces and their wonderful new designs from the talented Alessandro Michele. I’m also a big fan of and wear a lot of Proenza Schouler, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Johanna Ortiz, Zimmermann, Stella McCartney, and Céline. Finding a great vintage piece can be hard, but when you find it, there is nothing better. I have a few favorites given to me from my mother, and some great jeans, leather coats, and small suede bags I have found in Colorado and Wyoming. For the new season I have a leather jacket I bought from Belstaff that I’m very excited to start wearing, along with my sweaters from Organic by John Patrick and Isabel Marant.” Flats Keep Her in Step “I prefer flats always, or a small heel on a stable boot, but I’m not very tall, so I end up in heels more than I would like! I wear very simple gold jewelry—four small gold hoops in my ears. I tend to wear one simple gold chain with two small pendants on it, and three gold rings on my fingers—all of which mean something. One was my mother’s when she was young, with tiny diamonds across the top, another from my sister with a simple gold knot, and the third is a beautiful emerald ring that my best friend gave me the day before her wedding, as I was her maid of honor. I also always tend to wear a watch but change that day to day. I’ve been wearing a lot of my Mansur Gavriel black bucket bag and backpack lately, as I’ve been moving around all over the city and it fits the perfect amount of my much-needed essentials!” A New Spin on Merch “For work events, I usually keep it pretty low-key but try to still make sure I’m styled properly. For the festival you have to be comfortable because you are on your feet all day, so I usually wear a casual dress and sneakers or my Gucci clogs with a leather jacket, or a pair of jeans with a more formal top and a great pair of boots. If we have more formal events in the days leading up, I tend to make sure I’m in a dress and heels. I’m also a big fan of representing Global Citizen apparel and the many designers who we now support through our platform whenever I can! We make great T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, and support local designers in developing countries around the world.” International Road Tripping “My last big trip was to London, but prior to that I was in Mumbai, as we are taking the festival there for a big show on November 19. I was able to spend some time walking around with a friend to meet some of the local designers, and found some beautiful sarongs, cashmere scarves, and two really great rings with ornate diamond designs from a jeweler I was introduced to.”  

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