IWF World Leadership Conference - Houston
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Being one of the most racially and ethnically diverse cities in the US gives Houston a unique profile, drawing immigrants from all over the world and offering more than 100 spoken languages.
There could be no better place to host a conference focused on the Global Citizen, bringing together more than 800 members and guests from around the world to discuss issues relating to society and business, roles and responsibilities that we each have as global citizens. Annise Parker, former two-time Mayor of Houston gave a powerful opening address, speaking to the many attributes of the development of Houston and how we can draw on these examples to help each other and the rest of the world. IWF UK represented by Sonia Brown, Marty Wikstrom, Rosalind Miles, Sandy Stash and Julie Goldstein.
The conference offered a thought provoking and varied programme, including a session on space exploration, science, STEM education and women’s leadership with Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space and Director of the NASA Johnson Space Center and a hugely popular break-out discussion addressing the “New Fashion Retail” with panellist IWF UK member Marty Wikstrom.
Overall an extremely stimulating couple of days of presentations, discussions and behind the scenes sessions with proceedings brought to a spectacular close at the gala dinner where we celebrated the induction of Hillary Rodham Clinton into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame.
Enormous thanks to Gracie Cavnar, Conference Co-Chair, IWF Texas- Houston President for her energy and passion and to all members of the host committee for treating us to the very best of Texan warmth and hospitality.
