International Women's Forum

Day two of our Cornerstone Conference in Hong Kong started with Bridging Worlds: What Modern Medicine can learn from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and we heard from Dr. Vivian Taam Wong, Honorary Professor, University of Hong Kong,?about the rich history and research of TCM which is steeped in principles of balance, harmony and connection between body and mind. We also heard from Dr. FONG, Ho Ching Edmund, Assistant Director (Chinese Medicine), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?about how AI and technology can help improve on TCM development and practice, while Dr. Wong Wendy, Director, Yat Hei Medical Center spoke to the importance of quality research and standards for integrated medicine. Our Ideas Remaking the world recipients shared their groundbreaking work from Trish Barbato and her work on the Menopause Works Here campaign to raise awareness and education about menopause, to Paloma Merodio and her work with the geospatial cube of Mexico using AI and data to analyze how the environment is changing over time, to Anita Nowak, PhD, founder of Purposeful Empathy by Design and her leadership in helping us understand empathy as the superpower it is, our honorees were remarkable. In our last plenary, A Golden Age for Asian Filmmaking, we discussed the impact that shifting audience tastes, global streaming, and a rise in women in the industry are having on Asian Filmmaking with Cora Yim, Co-Founder S11 Partners Limited, Karou Matsuzaki, Senior Producer, Fuji TV Network, and Anadil Hossain, Founder and CEO Dillywood, and Mellissa Fung, Journalist, Author and Filmmaker. We ended the day with a conversation with Yip Wing-sie about her incredible career in music, from her father’s encouragement of her passion for music to her paving the way for future female musicians as the first female conductor to take the helm of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. She inspired us with her journey and inspired us to find ways to bring the next generation into classical music. What a truly inspiring event hosted by our IWF Hong Kong forum, thank you to everyone who made it happen!

We’ve had a successful day today as we kicked off our first sessions. Today IWF President Carolyn Carter and our hosts IWF Hong Kong set the stage with an “Awaken the Dragon” ceremony, a sign of luck, prosperity and fortune. We heard from The Honorable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region about Hong Kong’s progress and strengths, and the initiatives the government is undertaking to support the city’s strategic growth. They include the distinct advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, the new horizons in financial services, investments in innovation and technology, and the development of Hong Kong as a global hub for traditional as well as emerging regional and global partners. We continued with The Future of Global Financial Markets, with Luanne Lim, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong HSBC and Vanessa Lau, Co-Chief Operating Officer & Group Chief Financial Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). They discussed the importance of Hong Kong’s resilience and vibrancy as an International Finance Center and in their role in progressing sustainable finance and board diversity, and as a connection point for global investors. In The Disruption and Interdependence of Global Supply Chains with Jenny Paurys, SVP Global Intelligence and Analytics Supply Chain, S&P Global Market Intelligence, Joanna Li , Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, Hactl - Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited. Along with moderator Vivian Lau, Chair and Group CEP Pacific Air Holdings Limited, they discussed the importance of building resilience as companies take on challenges to global supply chains such as security concerns, tariffs and evolving trade partnerships. They noted that sustainability and AI are areas for innovation for larger companies, but smaller ones may still struggle to build resilience in the long-term. In Graying Societies, Nancy Ip, President, The The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology spoke of her research in neuroscience, including a groundbreaking blood test that can detect the presence of Alzheimer’s Disease, allowing for earlier diagnoses and improved health outcomes. Ana Munoz, Non Executive Director Tubos Reunidos Group spoke with Janice Chia, Founder & Managing Director, Ageing Asia, Dr. Nancy Jecker, Professor, University of Washington - School of Medicine, and Dr. Sarah Salvilla, Group Chief Health Officer, FWD Insurance about evolution in aging and health care, extending independence and health for the elderly, resetting our thinking to focus on biological age vs. chronological. In The Future of Femtech, Joyce Winnecke, Advisor and Board Leader IWF Chicago spoke with Maaike Steinebach, Founder and CEO, FemTech Future Limited and Anca Griffiths, CEO and Co-founder, OM Marketing Experts about the persistent need for advancement and funding in the rising field of Femtech to address the unique health needs of women.

We had an incredible first day together in Hong Kong. Delicia T., CEO of Edelman Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area shared the Edelman Trust Barometer, previewing changes in Trust of different institutions through the years, highlighting that while we've seen a rise in trust overall, there is still a significant gap in gender differences in trust in our Advanced Leadership Workshop. Then, to?officially kick off our 50th?Anniversary Cornerstone Conference in Hong Kong, we joined?Vivian Lau and the Women of our?Hong Kong Forum?at the Hong Kong Palace Museum for an evening of food and festivities. We are excited for the next several days of insights and discussion with our members! #IWFHongKong24 #IWF50

With the highly anticipated Wicked movie coming out this week, we’re looking back at a highlight from our 50th Anniversary World Leadership Conference in May in NYC, where we had the pleasure of hearing four Elphabas sing Defying Gravity. We look forward to sharing more special moments with our IWF sisters as we conclude our 50th anniversary year with the IWF Global Cornerstone Conference in Hong Kong. #IWFHongKong24 #IWF50 Learn more about the International Women’s Forum: https://iwforum.org/

General Motors CEO and 2020 IWF Hall of Fame Honoree, Mary Barra, and UPS CEO and IWF Georgia member, Carol Tomé, were recently named on Fortune’s inaugural list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Business, which recognizes those whose, “words, deeds, and wealth shape what others around them think and do.” Congratulations to these inspirational and aspirational women. #Fortune100MostPowerful https://lnkd.in/eZwCEG8V

We are headed to Hong Kong this week for the IWF Global 50th Anniversary Cornerstone Conference, Reaching New Heights. During the conference, we’ll hear from some inspirational and influential women about topics of particular relevance in the context of Hong Kong, including capital flows, the interdependence of supply chains, how traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can work together to create a healthier world, and the rising Asian influence on one of the world’s most beloved forms of entertainment: film. You can follow along here for insight from the sessions and photos from the event. #IWFHongKong24 #IWF50 Learn more about the International Women’s Forum: https://iwforum.org/

We recently had the incredible opportunity to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Leadership Fellows Program, a milestone that truly reflects the importance of IWF’s mission of advancing women’s leadership today and tomorrow. This event marked not just a celebration of three decades of progress, but also a recommitment to the vision and values that inspired the founders to create this transformative program. A standout moment was when Leena Nair, inaugural Leadership Fellows Program Distinguished Alumna Award recipient, and one of the few female CEOs across Fortune 500 companies, expressed her gratitude and the weight of responsibility she feels. “If I can get some women to believe that it’s possible, I will have the greatest sense of pride and joy,” she shared. Her journey reflects the essence of this program—recognizing that with opportunity comes the duty to pave the way for others. As Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, Ambassador-at-Large for the U.S. Department of State - Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues and the first woman of color to hold the position, aptly stated, “Today, we are surrounded by living proof of this program's deep and abiding impact.” This impact is evident in the stories shared by the remarkable women who have participated in the program. During the event, we heard from the program’s founders and former fellows, including Marsha Sampson Johnson, Mariana Sanz, Karyl Innis, and many others. Their reflections reminded us that the IWF Fellows are women who have nurtured each other, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual accomplishments. This culture of commitment and support is vital as we navigate the complexities of leadership in today's world. The event also served as the kick-off of orientation for the 2024-2025 Fellows program. It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and energy of the new cohort, as they step into a legacy of excellence and commitment. Their journey is just beginning, but they are already part of a powerful global network. As we reflect on the last 30 years, we are reminded that our work is far from over. The challenges women face in leadership roles continue to evolve, but so does our resolve to address them. The IWF Leadership Fellows Program stands as a testament to what is possible when women come together to support each other. Here's to the next chapter for these inspirational and aspirational leaders. #IWF30Years #Leadership #WomenEmpowerment #Mentorship #IWFLeadershipFellows

Congratulations to Shelley Berkley, member of IWF Nevada, who was recently elected as the next mayor of Las Vegas. We’re also celebrating the re-elections of IWF Florida Forum member Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, IWF Michigan member Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and IWF OREGON member Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.

Today, the International Women’s Forum (IWF), the global organization of over 8,200 top women leaders in 33 countries, is proud to announce that it will provide funding from its Leadership Fellows Endowment for a one-time Leadership Fellows Program Scholarship in honor of CHANEL Global CEO Leena Nair. Ms. Nair is the recent recipient of IWF’s Inaugural Leadership Fellows Program Distinguished Alumna Award. The Leadership Fellows Program helps to accelerate the career path of high-performing women leaders around the world, so they can reach their full potential, and elevate their business impact. The nine-month program incorporates high-level networking and mentoring opportunities and learning at world-renowned academic institutions including INSEAD and Harvard. ? The work of IWF is now more critical than ever. At the start of this year just 26 countries had women as Heads of State. Only 10% of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs and women are disproportionately left out of climate policy conversations. This scholarship endeavors to further support gender balanced leadership and will continue Ms. Nair’s mission of lifting women as they climb, making leadership a shared and celebrated journey. ? Stephanie O'Keefe, IWF Chief Executive Officer, said, “It is a privilege to honor Ms. Nair in this way. IWF is proud to have supported her leadership journey, and we are excited to celebrate her success through this scholarship.” ? Ms. Nair noted, “The Leadership Fellows Program provides valuable leadership training that I have used throughout my career and even in my role at Chanel today. It also showed me the importance of community, a strong network and peer support, and why paying it forward is so crucial. ? We all have a responsibility to pave the way for those who come after us. I am excited that this scholarship will provide the important resources that can help another woman lead at the highest level.” ? Now in its 30th year, with more than 730 alumnae from 56 countries, the IWF Leadership Fellows Program is unique among leadership development programs globally. Its scope, rigor, and results make it an unparalleled tool for career development and succession planning. Learn more about the Fellows program here: https://lnkd.in/eVAqcaCw

We are saddened to hear of the passing of International Women’s Forum 2004 Hall of Fame Honoree Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater trailblazer and Artistic Director Emerita. When she was inducted into the IWF Hall of Fame, Ms. Jamison remarked on the importance of her work, “The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been about what it is to be a human being.” Ms. Jamison will be remembered for her artistry, humanity and incredible light. We honor her in our thoughts. Her full speech from 2004 can be viewed here, please take a moment listen to her touching words: https://buff.ly/4hBJoLb