As your Chair I am delighted to report back to members that the IWF Scottish Summit which was held on 26 September in the Johnnie Walker Princes Street venue in Edinburgh and was attended by over 60 senior women leaders in Scotland representing a wide range of companies and organisations.

We were so fortunate to be able to have the event fully hosted by Diageo who were wonderful partners to work with. As many of you will know Diageo are the top of the FTSE100 list of companies for the most women on their Board and Executive Committee and have a dedicated track record of recruiting, developing and promoting women throughout their business. They have one of the few women CEOs in the FTSE 100 Debra Crew at the helm.

We put together a varied and exciting agenda to show case what IWF is all about in the UK and globally which Julie Goldstein IWF Treasurer and Global Board member and I covered including showing the 50th anniversary video from the New York Conference. We then had a session led by Dafydd Pugh Williams, Managing Director at Diageo for its brand homes across Scotland, who gave a very uplifting address including an overview of Diageo’s strategies to ensure they have women in senior roles throughout the company. Attending the conference were three very senior women including Dr Emma Walker, Master Blender, the first woman ever to hold this prestigious and technically challenging position.

Our next session covered the Future of Work, New Roles Emerging, Humanity vs AI and Technology. This session was moderated so ably by Margarete McGrath IWF Board member and huge contributions from Sharmla Chetty CEO of Duke Corporate Education and Professor Ewa Luger, Chair of Human Data Interaction at the University of Edinburgh. The session was a fascinating window on to the new world that is approaching so fast and will touch all of us at work and at home in ways that perhaps we have not yet realised.

Our final panel session was entitled Scotland’s Impact on Global Fashion, and this session was again very well moderated by Susan Young IWF Member with contributions from Jacqueline Farrell of the Kings Foundation; Prue White, Style Editor at the Times and Samanatha McCoach, Creative Director at Le Kilt which was featured in the Sunday Times magazine on 6 October.

This was such a fun entrepreneurial session demonstrating the heritage and skills of Scotland especially amongst younger entrepreneurs.

Jenny Urquhart IWF member closed out the session and we ended the afternoon with another networking session hosted by Diageo.

Since the Summit we have had strong feedback, and we are now taking our discussions to the next stage to seek Board approval to form a Chapter in Scotland in the next 6 months with hopefully around 30 members. I will provide further updates as we progress, but this would; undoubtedly be a big boost to our Forum and hopefully might inspire others to try to set up Chapters in other regions of England – there is plenty of scope to increase our membership!

Anne Minto OBE

Chair, IWF UK

“I saw a talented, fragile woman leader, changemaker and entrepreneur step into her confident self because someone believed in her power and was open to seeing her true value – awesome!”

These are the words of an IWF UK volunteer mentor about the impact she was able to have with her mentee through our Racial Equity Mentoring Programme.

The programme is designed to be reciprocal so that both mentee and mentor learn from each other and grow as leaders. “I learnt a lot about the myriad of hurdles faced by ethnic groups in the workplace and what kinds of support they need,” explains another mentor. “I also learnt that mentoring is really energy intensive and requires focus of a different kind from my own work. It takes strength and courage in equal measure. It was a different experience from previous mentoring I have done.”

The programme sits squarely in the global IWF mission to advance women’s leadership, as well as IWF UK’s commitment to champion racial equity. Feedback from both mentors and mentees on the past year’s programme – the second time we’ve run it – shows it has been a highly valuable opportunity for both sides. The initiative was highlighted by previous IWF UK Chair Marty Rolle in public forums, including the “Lead with Her” conference hosted by Duke Corporate Education, as an example of how IWF puts words into action.

To keep this successful programme going, we now need more volunteers. Would you be willing to help? Please contact Alison Maitland, Monika Biddulph or Alix Thomas.

Being part of the mentoring programme team – which also includes Cheryl Avery and Lisa McCurdy – is a great way to meet new people and forge strong links within our network. It involves coordinating mentors and inviting mentees, pairing them, running an onboarding event, and checking in on progress. Having run the programme for two years, much of the groundwork on processes and presentation for the kick-off event is laid. Now we want to build on progress, in particular offering some career sessions, e.g. on CV writing and networking. If you're qualified in one of these areas and could offer a session, please get in touch! We also need one or two more members to help with the programme running, and we will be looking for mentors for the next round.

Why get involved?

Here’s what mentors say:

‘The need for the programme is very great. It’s a real opportunity to make a big difference to the racial equity mentees whose need for encouragement, support and advice is much greater than I realised before signing up as a mentor. It was eye opening.’

‘For leaders to succeed we need to be not just mindful but understand barriers and hurdles others face to know how to avoid those in our own organisations.’

‘This was the first time I followed the process of reciprocity of benefits, in the way that was suggested at the outset. I proved to myself that I was good at it and know that I was also helpful to my mentee. This provided much satisfaction and encouraged me to try more assignments of this nature.’

‘I connected my mentee with another mentor in IWF UK who was able to provide her with fantastic advice in an area I knew much less about. Let's leverage that collective knowledge and influence.’

‘Mentoring as part of the RE SIG goes to the heart of what IWF is all about; we help women to achieve their dreams and overcome obstacles along the way.’

Here’s what mentees say:

‘It was incredibly valuable as it gave me access to knowledge I normally would never have access to, particularly on what it actually takes to eventually make it to the C level.’

‘I found the programme great value, with a blend of careers sessions and outstanding mentoring, as well as meeting the other mentees. The mentoring sessions helped me to turn around what had been a challenging year and to wake up to the reality and gift of life and opportunities before me. Thank you for the opportunity.’

‘The professional support and guidance enhance networking systems. Also, friendship is forged meaning class barriers are broken.’

‘I would recommend this programme to every single woman that is silenced and denied her greatness.’

We plan to feature some of the mentees’ stories in upcoming communications.

If you’d like to be part of the mentoring programme team and/or offer a career session, please contact Alison Maitland, Monika Biddulph or Alix Thomas.

What have been the biggest challenges and the biggest successes in your life, and what have you learned from them?

What advice do you have for younger women aspiring to leadership roles?

What have been the biggest challenges and the biggest successes in your life, and what have you learned from them?

What advice do you have for younger women aspiring to leadership roles?

Marty Rolle conveyed her warmest thanks to those of who were able to attend the AGM on 17 July and to those who completed a proxy form to register their vote in support of the elections and resolutions. The draft minutes of the AGM can be viewed here. We are delighted to confirm all resolutions were passed.

Congratulations to Anne Minto OBE our newly elected Chair, who is a highly respected and accomplished leader with an impressive track record and will bring her extensive skills to continue the development of our forum. Congratulations also to Melanie Hart, as our new Company Secretary; to Margarete McGrath who was re-elected to the Board and to the other newly elected members of the Board: Jenny Burns, Lailany Sierra, and Monika Biddulph, which appointments will all greatly enhance our Board. Thank you also to Christine Brown-Quinn for standing for Chair. We look forward to the continuing enthusiasm and considerable contribution that she will bring to the Board. The composition of the 2024/25 board is confirmed as follows:

• Anne Minto OBE, Chair
• Melanie Hart, Company Secretary
• Rachel Sexton, Treasurer
• Ailbhe Fallon, Board Member - International Liaison
• Christine Brown-Quinn, Board Member - Chair of Communication and Engagement
• Gwen Jones, Board Member - Chair of Membership
• Jenny Burns, Board member - Lead, Entrepreneurs SIG
• Lailany Sierra, Board member
• Lara Leigh-Wood, Board Member - Co Chair of Programme
• Margarete McGrath, Board Member
• Monika Biddulph, Board Member
• Sharmla Chetty, Board Member

Marty extended her thanks to Susan Young and Suzanne Todd, who both served two terms, and to Nicolina Andall on her completed term, all of whom stepped down this year. We are truly grateful for their dedication and contribution to our forum during their terms on the Board. Those stepping down, are confirmed below.

• Marty Rolle, outgoing Chair
• Susan Young, outgoing Vice Chair
• Suzanne Todd, outgoing Company Secretary
• Nicolina Andall, outgoing board member

She expressed personal thanks and appreciation to Suzanne Todd, our Company Secretary, for running and hosting an excellent meeting and to our administrator Louise Cowen for all her support of Suzanne in relation to the AGM. Thank you to Withersworldwide for so generously hosting the AGM for IWF UK.

Marty also wished to express her personal thanks and appreciation to all members of the Board who have worked so hard on making the UK forum what it is today.

For those who were unable to attend please click here to view the presentation deck.

Dear Member

This year, as you will see from the second formal Notice of the Annual General Meeting, we have two candidates for the role of Chair.

I wanted to take the time here to confirm the voting process.

All voting will be conducted electronically, and members may appoint a proxy if they so choose.

Voting remains confidential; only the administrator will be aware of who has voted to prevent any duplication. No one can see another's vote. Candidates will remain uninformed about who has voted and the specific votes that have been cast.

The vote's outcome will be compiled by our administrator, Louise Cowen, subsequently verified by myself in my capacity as Company Secretary, and then subjected to an independent review by Caroline Guy, our independent auditor.

To confirm in the event of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second and casting vote.

The following is the Official Notice of the Annual General Meeting of International Women’s Forum UK Limited, company number 08850543 (IWF UK).

This year we will be holding the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at Withers, 20 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7AN. Voting will be by proxy. Our Articles of Association require that for the AGM to be quorate, at least 30% of the Members entitled to vote will need to have returned their proxy forms by the deadline (by 17:00 on 16 July 2024). Accordingly, please be sure to vote when the proxy forms are circulated!

The formal notice of business to be transacted and relevant materials, including the accounts for the previous financial year, details of candidates standing for Board positions and proposed resolutions (if any), will be circulated no later than Wednesday 26 June 2024, being not less than14 clear days before the date of the AGM, as required by the IWF UK Articles of Association.

As background, the business of IWF UK is managed by the Board of Directors, which meets approximately six times per year and is comprised of a minimum of 8 and up to a maximum of 12 Directors.

Current Board of Directors

1. Marty Rolle – Chair

2. Susan Young - Vice Chair

4. Rachel Sexton – Treasurer

5. Suzanne Todd – Secretary

6. Ailbhe Fallon

7. Christine Brown-Quinn

8. Gwen Jones

9. Margarete McGrath

10. Nicolina Andall

11. Sharmla Chetty

Vacancies There is a total of 5 board vacancies on the Board of Directors, including the positions of Chair and Company Secretary.

Susan Young and Suzanne Todd have both served the maximum of two consecutive two-year terms. They will be stepping down from the Board, as required under the Articles of Association. Nicolina Andall and Marty Rolle will be retiring from the Board, at the end of their current term.

Eligibility

Directors: All candidates for the Company Secretary and Board of Directors, must have been Members of IWF UK for at least one year prior to the date of the AGM, must support the Objects of the organisation, and must be a Member in good standing at the date of the AGM.

Chair: In addition to the above the eligibility requirements, the role of Chair also requires that the candidate may not act as Chair unless she has previously served or is currently serving:

• as a Director of IWF UK;
• on the executive committee or board of directors of any predecessor organisation of IWF UK; or
• on any committee designated by the Directors in the previous five years pursuant to Article 9 of the Articles of Association.

Position Descriptions: A term of office for Chair, Company Secretary and Director is for two years. Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of the positions of Chair, Company Secretary and Director are available from the Administrator (office@Iwforumuk.org) and can be found in the IWF UK Governance Document on the IWF UK website in the Members only section.

Nomination Procedure

The Board welcomes nominations for these vacancies. As the procedure is dictated in large part by our Articles, the correct procedure must be followed for any nominations to be considered valid. Members may only support one candidate as Chair, one as Company Secretary and one candidate as any other Director.

Applicable to all Directors (including Company Secretary): Nominations must be received from two Members (not the candidate herself) by midnight on Wednesday 12 June 2024 in writing (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable) to nominate a candidate for any of the positions open this year. Nominations cannot exceed 250 words each.

Applicable to Chair: In addition to the two Members required to nominate a candidate for the Board of Directors, by midnight on Wednesday 12 June 2024, any candidate for the Chair must also have a third Member second in writing the candidacy of the Member as the Chair. The third Member must send their seconding statement in writing by no later than midnight on Wednesday 19 June 2024 (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable) which must not be more than 250 words.

• Under the Board’s AGM Guidance, each Member may only nominate one candidate for election as Chair, one for Company Secretary and one candidate for any other Director. If a Member nominates more than one candidate in either category, then only their first nomination in that category will be valid.

Any statement which exceeds the 250 word limit will be returned to the nominator to edit; if a final statement is not returned by the stated deadlines below, the candidate will not be considered to be standing for election.

Candidate Procedure

Statements of Candidates (Company Secretary and Director): No later than midnight on Wednesday 19 June 2024, candidates must provide a written statement (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable) of not more than 250 words each outlining the candidate’s history of involvement with IWF UK (or its predecessor organisations), their commitment to IWF UK and IWF globally, and their intentions if elected. Any statement that exceeds the word limit will be returned to the candidate to edit. If the statement is not returned by the above deadline the candidate will not be considered to be standing for election.

Applicable to Chair: By no later than midnight on Wednesday 19 June 2024, candidates for Chair must provide a written statement (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable) of not more than 400 words each outlining the candidate’s history of involvement with IWF UK (or its predecessor organisations), their commitment to IWF UK and IWF globally, and their intentions if elected. Any statement that exceeds the word limit will be returned to the candidate to edit. If the final statement is not returned by the above deadline, the candidate will not be considered to be standing for election.

Circulation of candidates’ statements and formal Notice of Business at AGM: All candidate’s statements will be circulated no later than Wednesday 26 June 2024, along with the Financial Reports, Resolutions (if any) to be voted upon, and the formal Notice of Business to be transacted at the AGM.

Canvassing and lobbying by candidates: There are no express regulations in the Articles of Association governing the canvassing and lobbying for election by candidates and Members. As in previous years, candidates are free to canvass. However, any canvassing and lobbying for election is expected to be conducted in a dignified and respectful manner.

Election results: Election results will be published in a special edition of the IWF UK newsletter promptly after the conclusion of the AGM.

Other Resolutions Finally, if any Member wishes to submit a resolution to be voted on at the AGM, then please submit it in writing (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable). Pursuant to the IWF UK Governance Document (which can be found on the IWF UK website in the Members only section), any such resolution must be supported in writing (email to office@iwforumuk.org marked for the Secretary’s attention is acceptable) by at least 10% of the Members of IWF UK and received by midnight on Wednesday 12 June 2024. The Administrator can be contacted to find out how many Members are required to support a resolution having regard to the total number of Members in good standing on the date the resolution is proposed.

Respectfully submitted

Suzanne Todd

Company Secretary

International Women's Forum UK Limited

We had a Ball..

What a wonderful weekend we had in Vienna celebrating the 10th Anniversary of IWF Austria! From the opening reception addressed by the First Lady of Austria and by Erika Freeman (96 years, one of the original members of IWF NY 50 years ago), private visits to wonderful venues and wonderful entertainment - including the surprise performance from the Vienna Girls Choir…

So much represented by the image above, clockwise Top L-R

All together now; wonderful celebration dinner at Bristol Hotel - a full house and wonderful exchanges; some ladies you may recognise; Vienna Girls Choir perform for IWF members and guests; Geraldine Sharpe-Newton and Erika Freeman one of the original members of IWF New York, now back in Vienna where she was born.

Absolutely Fabulous! Congratulations IWF Austria - and thank you!

Images from the event can be found here: Gallery – IWF (iwf-austria.org)

Ailbhe Fallon

IWF UK Board Member - Europe & International Network

NB: Photo credits go to Elisabeth Lechner, Peter Lechner and IWF Austria.

Following the Spring Reception in 2023 and the panel discussion on 'Do women Chairs make a difference?', members have been sharing board opportunities in the IWF-UK-Connect WhatsApp group. To expand access to these opportunities, we have now created a separate group specifically for this purpose. Members are welcome to post any board opportunities and executive positions they know of, after confirming with their source that they have permission to share them with this group.

Members are reminded to keep all board opportunities shared in the WhatsApp group or via email confidential, not disclosing them to outside organisations, non-members, executive search firms, or any other third parties.

If you are interested in joining this group, please express your interest by clicking on this link.

Best wishes

Marty Rolle
Chair, IWF UK

This year we will have the opportunity to welcome five new members to our Board, as terms come to an end for some of our current board members. These openings will include Chair and Company Secretary, as Suzanne is term limited and is due to step down as Secretary in July and Marty has indicated she will not be standing again for the Chair role.

With the upcoming 2026 Cornerstone Conference amongst other events in the pipeline, this is a great time to join the board of this fantastic forum of amazing women, to share your skills and experience in leading IWF UK.

Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of the positions can be found in the IWF UK Governance document under Strategy, Governance and Privacy in the Members section of the website.

Marty and Suzanne are happy to have a conversation with you about making a nomination and/or if you are interested in either role.

Alternatively, please do drop a note to chair@iwforumuk.org if you would like to learn more about how you can contribute.

Suzanne Todd
Company Secretary

For 30 years, the IWF Leadership Program's scope, rigor, and results have made it an unparalleled tool for career advancement for individuals and succession planning for organizations, accelerating women's career trajectories into C-level leadership positions

Participation in the program is a game-changer for women on the cusp of reaching the highest levels of leadership. Through a recent survey, alumnae reported that program participation:

• Drives greater impact on their companies, according to 88% of alumnae.
• Generates lasting effects on their professional lives, cited by 93% of survey respondents.
• Propels advancement to the top: 61% of alumnae who had a career change moved into a C-suite position (or equivalent title in their field).
• Results in enduring satisfaction with the program’s worldclass content: An excellent NPS of 77 across the program’s 30 years, and an exceptional NPS of 89 for the 3 most recent cohorts.

The program provides:

• A world-class customized curriculum at INSEAD and Harvard Business School;
• Inspiration and intensive one-on-one mentorship from IWF members specifically matched with Fellows' needs; and
• A supportive peer network that endures for a lifetime.

The program is highly competitive and designed to accelerate the careers of recognized leaders with a track record of significant accomplishments and influence within their company or industry. Potential Fellows are forces for change in their organizations or communities and lead at the highest professional levels. Learn more about the program here, and view the detailed selection criteria here. Successful candidates have the level of accomplishment that can qualify them for IWF membership within three years of their participation in the program.

Please share the online application with women in your network who have exemplary records of achievement, recognition, and commitment. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Lynne Manrique, Vice President of Leadership and Educational Programs, at lmanrique@iwforum.org. Lynne would be happy to speak with you or companies/individuals who are interested in learning more about the program or nominating a candidate who is a rising leader in your community.

Applications are due June 1, 2024.

Click here to view the online application.

ALI invites highly accomplished and motivated senior leaders transitioning from their primary careers to join the Fellowship and tackle some of the biggest challenges facing communities around the world. Future Fellows recognize the value Harvard's academic resources can add in preparation for this next phase focused on driving positive societal change.

The Advanced Leadership Initiative is proud to announce that this year marks the start of an exciting and strategic shift in its fellowship programming. The upcoming cohort arriving in August will be the first to start on an academic year calendar as the program shifts its delivery cycle from its traditional calendar year model. As a result, both ALI and the broader campus community can look forward this coming fall to a larger-than-typical presence of ALI leaders navigating Harvard and sharing their talents, skills, and perspectives.

Distinctive features of the ALI Fellowship include:

Cross-University Engagement: The Fellowship includes a rigorous core academic program led by distinguished faculty from across Harvard University.

Diverse Experiences, Common Purpose: ALI Fellows have 20+ years of demonstrated leadership experience and a shared commitment to make a lasting impact in the world.

Partners Are Welcome: A spouse or life partner can accompany the ALI Fellow as a program participant.

Unique Coalition: The ALI experience continues beyond the fellowship year with annual gatherings to foster lasting relationships and impact.

Since 2016, 50 IWF members have participated in the ALI Fellowship from Forums across the United States and globally.

IWF members interested in pursuing the 2025 ALI Fellowship are encouraged to “Introduce Yourself” by May 31, 2024 in order to receive first consideration in the upcoming selection round. IWF members expressing interest after this date will be considered on a rolling basis where members will be given priority consideration.

Learn more about the Advanced Leadership Initiative and how former ALI fellows are addressing a wide array of social impact challenges in featured impact stories. Feel free to email advancedleadershipselection@harvard.edu for further information. Please indicate that you are an IWF member.

Mentors in these six-month-long programmes are IWF members and the mentees are typically mid-career professional women from diverse ethnic backgrounds who have been encouraged to apply by our members.

Last October saw the start of our second Racial Equity Mentoring scheme, with a cohort of 12 mentees being paired with IWF UK member mentors. This programme was first developed in 2022 through our Racial Equity Special Interest Group, chaired by Christine Brown-Quinn. This year, the SIG is co-chaired by Janet Collyer and Alexandra Thomas.

Prospective mentees are nominated by IWF UK members and are mid-career professionals from a wide variety of industry and sector backgrounds. The mentors and mentees are matched by the RE Mentoring sub-group, based on what mentors can offer and what mentees are looking for in terms of guidance and career path, using a questionnaire they complete. Pairs meet 4 to 6 times, in person and/or online, and the mentoring is encouraged to be reciprocal.

The Racial Equity Special Interest Group have facilitated online feedback sessions separately for mentors and mentees. These were helpful in shaping further activities and involvement for mentees and support for mentors, gaining feedback on how to improve the programme and have also helped to understand the personal impact the programme has had on mentees and mentors.

Mentees tell us that mentoring has particularly helped in linking them with role models, understanding what others’ career pathways have been, how to network, how to shape goals and model CVs. The mentoring has also provoked challenge and triggered fresh thinking on what personal choices are made and why. One mentee spoke of a “wake-up call”, another talked about how she had “almost given up” and that the conversations with her mentor had “energised” her.

There was overwhelming agreement that some of the key barriers to career progression experienced by our mentees are around social mobility and gaining access to networks and people to “make it happen”. As a result, with the support of Marty Rolle, IWF UK Chair, and the IWF board, we have been able to open some places for mentees at key IWF events to leverage the power of the IWF network.

Feedback from our current mentor cohort was similarly about making use of knowledge and expertise within IWF for specific mentee issues. We have encouraged mentors to reach out either via the subcommittee or directly to their peers in IWF to do this.

A special shout out goes to all IWF mentors and sponsors to date as we have seen a total of 22 mentees over the last two years take part. Also thanks to the Racial Equity SIG subcommittee - Nicolina Andall, Monika Biddulph, Alexandra Thomas, and Alison Maitland - for organising this year’s programme, and to Marty Rolle, Christine Brown-Quinn, and all of the board for their support. More to come in further newsletters on the programme’s impact and participants!

If you are interested in being a future mentor, (or nominate a future mentee) please contact Alison Maitland, or for general info on the programme, contact Nicolina Andall. More info on the Racial Equity SIG is also available by reaching out to Alexandra Thomas or Janet Collyer.

All can be contacted via racialequitysig@iwforumuk.org

ALI invites highly accomplished and motivated senior leaders transitioning from their primary careers to join the Fellowship and tackle some of the biggest challenges facing communities around the world. Future Fellows recognize the value Harvard's academic resources can add in preparation for this next phase focused on driving positive societal change.

The Advanced Leadership Initiative is proud to announce that this year marks the start of an exciting and strategic shift in its fellowship programming. The upcoming cohort arriving in August will be the first to start on an academic year calendar as the program shifts its delivery cycle from its traditional calendar year model. As a result, both ALI and the broader campus community can look forward this coming fall to a larger-than-typical presence of ALI leaders navigating Harvard and sharing their talents, skills, and perspectives.

Distinctive features of the ALI Fellowship include:

Cross-University Engagement: The Fellowship includes a rigorous core academic program led by distinguished faculty from across Harvard University.

Diverse Experiences, Common Purpose: ALI Fellows have 20+ years of demonstrated leadership experience and a shared commitment to make a lasting impact in the world.

Partners Are Welcome: A spouse or life partner can accompany the ALI Fellow as a program participant.

Unique Coalition: The ALI experience continues beyond the fellowship year with annual gatherings to foster lasting relationships and impact.

Since 2016, 50 IWF members have participated in the ALI Fellowship from Forums across the United States and globally.

IWF members interested in pursuing the 2025 ALI Fellowship are encouraged to “Introduce Yourself” by February 29, 2024 in order to receive first consideration in the very competitive selection process. IWF members expressing interest after this date will be considered on a rolling basis through the second selection round where members will be given priority consideration.

Learn more about the Advanced Leadership Initiative at its website and how former ALI fellows are addressing a wide array of social impact challenges in featured impact stories. Feel free to email advancedleadershipselection@harvard.edu for further information. Please indicate that you are an IWF member.

APPLY NOW

For 30 years, the IWF Leadership Program's scope, rigor, and results have made it an unparalleled tool for career advancement for individuals and succession planning for organizations, accelerating women's career trajectories into C-level leadership positions

The program provides:

• A world-class customized curriculum at INSEAD and Harvard Business School;
• Inspiration and intensive one-on-one mentorship from IWF members specifically matched with Fellows' needs; and
• A supportive peer network that endures for a lifetime.

The program is highly competitive and designed to accelerate the careers of recognized leaders with a track record of significant accomplishments and influence within their company or industry. Potential Fellows are forces for change in their organizations or communities and lead at the highest professional levels. Learn more about the program here, and view the detailed selection criteria here. Successful candidates have the level of accomplishment that can qualify them for IWF membership within three years of their participation in the program.

Please share the online application with women in your network who have exemplary records of achievement, recognition, and commitment. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Lynne Manrique, Vice President of Leadership and Educational Programs, at lmanrique@iwforum.org.

Applications are due June 1, 2024.

Click here to view the online application.

With almost seventy members from IWF France, Ireland and UK descending on London for Friday and Saturday events, crowned by a wonderful dinner in the City. The dinner also provided the opportunity to meet and entertain special guests including Carolyn Carter-Starr, IWF’s Global President, and members of IWF South Africa’s leadership. A really warm international experience.

I say ‘get back to..’ as, for some of our longer standing members, this has been a key element of IWF UK’s offer for many years with Forum-to-Forum visits to Israel, Sweden, Dublin, Belfast, Lille, and Paris to mention but a few. These events have not only strengthened the ties between our Forum and others but provided unique insights into how others live, lead and work together. This is invaluable in forming life-long relationships. We are already plotting future forum-to-forum visits so watch this space.

Of course, it is not always possible to have the time, resources or space in the diary to get away for days or longer. But you can still access our wonderful Forum network on an as needed on a bespoke basis. Visiting a city elsewhere on business or for pleasure, including places not so far, like Dublin, Belfast or Oxford, Exeter or Canterbury for that matter? Then tap into our membership in that location through our IWF UK heatmap or the membership roster on the IWF Connect web portal. You can search by country, forum and, in many cases, city or you can approach the Forum leadership or administrator directly. The secret of this roster is to have your profile up-to-date, including your contact details. It is amazing how generous our sisters are with their own time, and in welcoming international members to join their local activities.

And of course, IWF UK members reciprocate by entertaining members from overseas when they visit us in the United Kingdom whether for work, leisure or just passing through. And if travel is not possible to you for any reason, then the membership roster allows you to set up your own calls or zoom/FaceTime meetings. We’ll be setting up group sessions too. Would you like to host an event with another forum on-line as part of your SIG - contact Ailbhe Fallon and we’ll work together to make it happen.

Our International network is part of what makes us unique - that and our wonderful members.

Make sure you make time to enjoy it!

Ailbhe Fallon

IWF UK Board Member

The gathering will last two days - Friday 26th and Saturday 27th January 2024 - and will include a variety of exclusive Behind the Scene tours and a festive dinner on the Friday evening at The Mercer.

The ticket price includes the festive dinner and the ability to attend one of the Behind the Scene tours - which include a private tour of Southwark Cathedral; an access all areas tour of Fortnum and Mason and walking tour of The Globe theatre.

Members are also welcome to join the brunch on Saturday at Browns Old Jewry (for an additional cost).

One Behind the Scene tour is included in the price package. We may be able to offer further opportunities once initial bookings are fulfilled. Available places on Behind the Scene events will be allocated to each Forum equally.

Ticket price £175. This is a members-only event.

BOOKINGS CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER.

For more details on this event and to book your place please click the link below.

Next year IWF Austria celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Below is more information from our sisters in IWF Austria about their anniversary events in March, to which we are all invited.

About the Celebration

IWF Austria was founded in 2014 to give accomplished female leaders, with exceptional careers in Austria, the opportunity to get to know each other and participate in the worldwide network of IWF Global. Currently, the Forum has over 90 members.

Our 10th anniversary in 2024 is planned to be an event for IWF Austria members, as well as members of the IWF Global community. Three years ago, on the initiative of IWF Austria, a working group of European IWF presidents (plus Turkey and Israel) was established to strengthen the IWF network across Europe and thus become a more active part of IWF Global.

Historically, Vienna has always been a city where people from different cultures liked to meet. Its positive and open-minded atmosphere is part of its cultural identity. We want to follow that tradition and offer a program which combines cultural highlights with casual, yet elegant events.

Therefore, we took the opportunity to invite members of the other European forums, as well as the IWF Global Board to celebrate this milestone. We feel honoured that IWF Global President Carolyn Carter and other Global Board Members have agreed to come to Vienna.

This celebratory weekend in Vienna will set this event apart from other international IWF conferences, and strengthen the relationship between the European IWF network and IWF Global.

We are encouraging members partners to join the celebration and have tried to keep the Celebration Fee at an moderate level.

To register to take part please visit www.10years.iwf-austria.org.

Please note that user name and password are the same: March2024International

Over 270 participants from all over Europe have already taken part and were delighted to have the opportunity to get to know IWF members from across Europe, expanding their personal network of like-minded, successful and fascinating women. You might even get to meet your match in person as the IWF forums in Austria, Türkiye and the UK celebrate noteworthy anniversaries.

Your next steps are:

o Send and email to: office@iwf-austria.org

o Subject: IWF Lucky Match Europe

o Text: First name, Last Name, Country Forum

You will then be matched randomly with a registered member from another European Forum and informed about your partner. Then, it is up to you. Contact your partner and plan the connection – a phone call, a virtual meeting with coffee or a virtual lunch together.

Deadline for applications is October 31st 2023. Your match will be revealed at the beginning of November.

Tap into IWF's unique resource as an international network of amazing women! We are the change we want to see - connecting across borders makes us stronger as women and changemakers.

Therefore, please apply again - or try it for the first time - and become part of the European IWF network

This year IWF Türkiye commemorates the centennial of the Turkish Republic and a decade of the IWF Sisterhood in Türkiye.

To celebrate they have extended an invitation to all IWF forums to join them in celebrating their 10th Anniversary

Under the banner of "A Century of New Heights, a Decade of Sisterhood," the forum will convene in the vibrant heart of Istanbul from 29th November to 1st December 2023. The three day program will offer opportunities for networking and new connections await in the heart of Istanbul, as city known for its history, culture, art and nature over the centuries.

To find out more, head to IWF Connect, your member area on the IWF global website, or click Community Event: IWF Turkiye 10th Year Anniversary Celebration (connect-iwforum.org)