Miss Universe Organization Owner Gives The Most “Empowering” Speech About Change

Miss Universe Organization Chief Executive Officer Anne Jakrajutatip was called onstage during the 71st Miss Universe Coronation Night to announce the Miss Universe Organization’s second annual Impact Wave award. This is to honor a delegate working towards social good. The selected candidate will receive $10k for her chosen charity.

Anne heads JKN Global Group, the conglomerate that owns the Miss Universe Organization. She is also a transgender rights advocate.

She gives a speech about the new era of the Miss Universe Organization. She started by telling her story of growing up as someone different. She was bullied and sexually harassed, but she emphasized that those experiences did not stop her. “I turned pain into power, and I turned life lessons into wisdom.” Mic drop!

“Led by women, owned by a transwoman, for women,” she declared.

Then she continued her speech focusing on women’s empowerment. She assured the audience that women are now leading the prestigious beauty pageant. Before, men dominated the management team of MUO, but in her leadership, everything is the opposite. After all, the pageant features women!

“[On] this stage called the Miss Universe competition, we can elevate all women to feel strong enough, good enough, qualified enough, and never be objectified AGAIN.” 

That is a strong statement that definitely describes transformational leadership! 

Anne proceeded to give the second annual Impact Wave award to Miss Universe Thailand. She is a daughter of a garbage collector who made her way to the top.