Gemma joined the UK's Diplomatic Service in 2019 and was most recently posted to Yangon, Myanmar, leading on human rights policy. Prior to this, Gemma worked on counter terrorism in East Africa, the UN Security Council policy, and was a member of the UK Diplomatic Service Women's Committee.

Gemma graduated from the London School of Economics with a first-class degree in social anthropology. After conducting ethnographic research in Harare, Zimbabwe, Gemma worked at academic think tanks, including the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa and the International Growth Centre. While at the LSE, Gemma founded the Understanding Inequality Group, a student society providing a platform for dialogue on divisive policy issues. Gemma is interested in leadership, conflict resolution and the impact of technology & AI on democracy, human rights and international security.