Elizabeth Ngonzi

Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi, CFRE

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Liz Ngonzi, is an educator, social entrepreneur, international speaker, and coach. Since 2009, she has been a faculty member at New York University, where she is an adjunct assistant professor teaching the popular Digital Storytelling, Innovation, and Fundraising course. Professor Ngonzi was awarded the NYU SPS 2021 Teaching Excellence Award and is also the faculty developer of Center for Global Affairs at NYUSPS's Professional Certificate Program in Digital Fundraising.

Professor Ngonzi is the founder of The International Social Impact Institute®, a firm that provides events, training, and consulting services to help institutions and individuals access the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to build an ecosystem of like-minded stakeholders. She also leads her own global speaking and executive coaching firm, Liz Ngonzi Transforms.

Professor Ngonzi's background includes serving as the turnaround CEO of Afrika Tikkun USA, a Nelson Mandela-endorsed and South Africa-based nonprofit organization. She has been an invited member of the U.S. Speaker Program at the U.S. Department of State and has founded and run an international boutique consulting firm that advised academic institutions, associations, human rights, and youth development organizations, and multilateral agencies. Professor Ngonzi has also excelled in various corporate roles, including as a business consulting manager with a "Big 4" consulting firm.

Professor Ngonzi holds a Master of Management in Hospitality degree with a Services Marketing focus from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from the Syracuse University iSchool. She attended K-12 at the United Nations International School.

She is widely recognized for her contributions to social entrepreneurship and advocacy and was a 2019 cohort member of the "Most Influential People of African Descent" (MIPAD 100), received the African Diaspora Awards "Advocate of the Year" Award, and featured by WeWork Creator Magazine as one of its "40 Over 40" leaders. She has been a member of the invitation-only President's Council of Cornell Women since 2011, for which she previously served as Communications Chair.

Professor Ngonzi's dedication to creating a more equitable and sustainable world is driven by her extensive experience and education.