Stephanie Cox is the Managing Director of Ashoka Austria. Before taking the lead in Austria, she established Ashoka’s youth focus across Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, where she continues to support and connect the next generation of changemakers. 

Stephanie joined Ashoka in 2022, bringing her experience as a social entrepreneur, policymaker, and community builder to help shape a generation that sees itself as part of the solution. Her work centers on empowering people to self-identify as changemakers and build bridges across sectors, generations, and geographies. 

She serves on several boards and advisory councils, including as a board member of Austrian Startups. 

Before joining Ashoka, she co-founded TEDxDonauinsel and Chancen:reich — Austria’s first and Europe’s largest career fair for refugees, recognized by UNHCR and the OECD as a European best practice. In 2017, she was elected to the Austrian Parliament, becoming one of its youngest members. She served on the committees for Digitalization, Education, and Equality, was spokesperson for youth policy, and Deputy Chair of the JETZT parliamentary group. 

After leaving politics, she advised social enterprises and public institutions on strategy and innovation. As a frequent speaker and moderator at conferences across Europe and the MENA region she advocates for social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and leadership. 

Stephanie was named a Young Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum and continues to use her platform to amplify the voices of those working toward a better future.