Grace Forrest

Founder and director of Walk Free

2021 WA Young Australian of the Year

Grace Forrest is the founding director of Walk Free, an international human rights organisation working to eradicate modern slavery, which affects over 40 million people globally.

Together with the all-female Walk Free team, they develop the Global Slavery Index, the world’s leading data set on measuring and understanding modern slavery – informing international legislation.

In 2018, Walk Free successfully campaigned for the implementation of an Australian Modern Slavery Act, which received the support of both major parties and the business community. 

A highly sought-after public speaker, Grace has presented at the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit, the CHOGM Women’s Forum, and the United Nation’s on multiple occasions, most recently to the U.N. Security Council on Walk Free’s new report ‘Stacked Odds’. In recognition of her work and impact, Grace was appointed the United Nations Association of Australia’s youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador, for Anti-Slavery.

She continues to be a voice for the UN in Australia and abroad.