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Past Programming Woman on Stage

Informing and Inspiring Women Leaders

Thought-provoking insights

from experts both on and off the stage

Our two annual conferences feature leading authorities speaking on topics essential to global leaders in a changing world.  Conference attendees are women from around the world who are the world’s leading architects, advocates, catalysts, of change. They are re-drawing the map for how we’ll live, work, produce, and maintain healthy communities in the coming years.

 

2024 World Leadership Conference and Gala in New York

Our 50th Anniversary & World Leadership Conference convened more than 1,000 members from over 30 countries to celebrate an idea that was born in New York City in 1974, and powerful enough to travel the world…that a global community of women leaders can support and inspire each other to advance women’s leadership today and tomorrow. The theme, “Women Changing the World,” was incorporated throughout the conference by featuring women at the top who are making the most powerful forces of change for good.
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The How and Why
of Happiness

2023 IWF Cornerstone Conference – Helsinki
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Highlights from Around the World

2023 Detroit, MI: Cheryl Jennings, Multiple Emmy-award winning Journalist, Moderator, Media strategist (IWF Nevada and Northern California); Melanie Kenderdine, Principal and Executive Vice President, Energy Futures Initiative; Nolitha Fakude, Chairman, Anglo American South Africa Management Board (IWF South Africa); Dr. Dana Bennett, Interim Executive Director, Kenny C. Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Former President, Nevada Mining Association (IWF Nevada)
2021 Virtual Conference: Priscilla Chan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (right); Belinda Stubblefield, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (IWF Georgia)
2023 Washington, DC: “Advancing Women’s Leadership,” featuring Ambassador Susan Rice, American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official.
2003 Johannesburg, South Africa: Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa with IWF Leadership
2007 Amman, Jordan: Rania Al Abdullah, Queen Consort of Jordan and humanitarian
2019 Toronto, Canada: Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator for CTV News; Denise Hearn, Author of “The Myth of Capitalism,” Sally Hubbard, Director of Enforcement Strategy for the Open Markets Institute, Ami Paanajärvi, Partner and Head for EU & Competition and Public Procurement Practices in Finland for Roschier (IWF Finland)
1995 Atlanta, GA: IWF members in the Audience
2015 Johannesburg, South Africa: H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi
2019 Toronto, Canada: IWF members and guests at the Gala
2018 Melbourne, Australia: Maria Ressa, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Rappler
2011 Washington, DC: Her Excellency Veena Sikri, former Senior Diplomat of India
2022 Santiago, Chile: “Brighter Days Ahead,” featuring His Excellency Ricardo Lagos E., Former President of the Republic of Chile (2000-2006) and President of Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo
2023 Detroit, MI: IWF Leadership Fellows
2023 Detroit, MI: A Conversation with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Stephanie Streett, Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation
2011 Rome, Italy: Nandita Das, Indian actress and film director and 2011 IWF Hall of Fame honoree
2014 Atlanta, GA: “Unleashing the Greatness of Girls Toward a Better Future,” featuring Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
2023 Helsinki: IWF members walking to the conference
2023 Helsinki, Finland: Advanced Leadership Workshop discussing Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
2007 Chicago, IL: Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland
2023 Helsinki: Ida Elina, Finnish award-winning singer-songwriter and pop Kantele diva
1996 Boston, MA: Kim Campbell, Past IWF President and Former Prime Minister of Canada and…Member Name (tbd)
2022 Las Vegas, NV: IWF members at the Opening Reception
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2023 Detroit, MI: Cheryl Jennings, Multiple Emmy-award winning Journalist, Moderator, Media strategist (IWF Nevada and Northern California); Melanie Kenderdine, Principal and Executive Vice President, Energy Futures Initiative; Nolitha Fakude, Chairman, Anglo American South Africa Management Board (IWF South Africa); Dr. Dana Bennett, Interim Executive Director, Kenny C. Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Former President, Nevada Mining Association (IWF Nevada)
2023 Detroit, MI: Cheryl Jennings, Multiple Emmy-award winning Journalist, Moderator, Media strategist (IWF Nevada and Northern California); Melanie Kenderdine, Principal and Executive Vice President, Energy Futures Initiative; Nolitha Fakude, Chairman, Anglo American South Africa Management Board (IWF South Africa); Dr. Dana Bennett, Interim Executive Director, Kenny C. Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Former President, Nevada Mining Association (IWF Nevada)
2021 Virtual Conference: Priscilla Chan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (right); Belinda Stubblefield, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (IWF Georgia)
2021 Virtual Conference: Priscilla Chan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (right); Belinda Stubblefield, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (IWF Georgia)
2023 Washington, DC: “Advancing Women’s Leadership,” featuring Ambassador Susan Rice, American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official.
2023 Washington, DC: “Advancing Women’s Leadership,” featuring Ambassador Susan Rice, American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official.
2003 Johannesburg, South Africa: Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa with IWF Leadership
2003 Johannesburg, South Africa: Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa with IWF Leadership
2007 Amman, Jordan: Rania Al Abdullah, Queen Consort of Jordan and humanitarian
2007 Amman, Jordan: Rania Al Abdullah, Queen Consort of Jordan and humanitarian
2019 Toronto, Canada: Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator for CTV News; Denise Hearn, Author of “The Myth of Capitalism,” Sally Hubbard, Director of Enforcement Strategy for the Open Markets Institute, Ami Paanajärvi, Partner and Head for EU & Competition and Public Procurement Practices in Finland for Roschier (IWF Finland)
2019 Toronto, Canada: Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator for CTV News; Denise Hearn, Author of “The Myth of Capitalism,” Sally Hubbard, Director of Enforcement Strategy for the Open Markets Institute, Ami Paanajärvi, Partner and Head for EU & Competition and Public Procurement Practices in Finland for Roschier (IWF Finland)
1995 Atlanta, GA: IWF members in the Audience
1995 Atlanta, GA: IWF members in the Audience
2015 Johannesburg, South Africa: H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi
2015 Johannesburg, South Africa: H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi
2019 Toronto, Canada: IWF members and guests at the Gala
2019 Toronto, Canada: IWF members and guests at the Gala
2018 Melbourne, Australia: Maria Ressa, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Rappler
2018 Melbourne, Australia: Maria Ressa, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Rappler
2011 Washington, DC: Her Excellency Veena Sikri, former Senior Diplomat of India
2011 Washington, DC: Her Excellency Veena Sikri, former Senior Diplomat of India
2022 Santiago, Chile: “Brighter Days Ahead,” featuring His Excellency Ricardo Lagos E., Former President of the Republic of Chile (2000-2006) and President of Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo
2022 Santiago, Chile: “Brighter Days Ahead,” featuring His Excellency Ricardo Lagos E., Former President of the Republic of Chile (2000-2006) and President of Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo
2023 Detroit, MI: IWF Leadership Fellows
2023 Detroit, MI: IWF Leadership Fellows
2023 Detroit, MI: A Conversation with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Stephanie Streett, Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation
2023 Detroit, MI: A Conversation with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Stephanie Streett, Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation
2011 Rome, Italy: Nandita Das, Indian actress and film director and 2011 IWF Hall of Fame honoree
2011 Rome, Italy: Nandita Das, Indian actress and film director and 2011 IWF Hall of Fame honoree
2014 Atlanta, GA: “Unleashing the Greatness of Girls Toward a Better Future,” featuring Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
2014 Atlanta, GA: “Unleashing the Greatness of Girls Toward a Better Future,” featuring Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
2023 Helsinki: IWF members walking to the conference
20230616 IWF Helsinki 2023 Conference. Photo: Teemu Kuusimurto / Keksi Agency
2023 Helsinki: IWF members walking to the conference
2023 Helsinki, Finland: Advanced Leadership Workshop discussing Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
2023 Helsinki, Finland: Advanced Leadership Workshop discussing Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
2007 Chicago, IL: Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland
2007 Chicago, IL: Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland
2023 Helsinki: Ida Elina, Finnish award-winning singer-songwriter and pop Kantele diva
2023 Helsinki: Ida Elina, Finnish award-winning singer-songwriter and pop Kantele diva
1996 Boston, MA: Kim Campbell, Past IWF President and Former Prime Minister of Canada and…Member Name (tbd)
1996 Boston, MA: Kim Campbell, Past IWF President and Former Prime Minister of Canada and…Member Name (tbd)
2022 Las Vegas, NV: IWF members at the Opening Reception
2022 Las Vegas, NV: IWF members at the Opening Reception
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20230615 HELSINKI, IWF Helsinki 2023 Conference at Pikku-Finlandia Photo Teemu Kuusimurto / Keksiagency

World-Class Speakers and Topics

Have included

AI Revolution

Nuala O’Connor

  • Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Digital Citizenship, Walmart

The How and Why of Happiness

Dr. Lara Aknin

  • Co-Editor of the World Happiness Report and Distinguished Professor, Simon Fraser University

Brain Health

Dr. Kate Zhong

  • Director of Innovation, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Global Security

Ambassador Piritta Asunmaa

  • Finnish Head of Mission to NATO

The Global Economy

Dr. Elaine Buckberg

  • Chief Economist, General Motors

Climate

Mikaela Loach

  • Climate justice advocate and author

Space Exploration

Dr. María Teresa Ruiz

  • Astronomy Professor, Universidad de Chile and Director, Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies

The Built Environment

Martha Thorne

  • Dean of the IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid, Spain, and Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize

INNOVATION

Rosabeth Moss Kanter

  • Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

Conferences Over 50 Years

70 Conferences Held

47 Host Forums

35,000+ Attendees

Previous Conference Highlights

New York — Our 50th Anniversary & World Leadership Conference convened more than 1,000 members from over 30 countries to celebrate an idea that was born in New York City in 1974, and powerful enough to travel the world…that a global community of women leaders can support and inspire each other to advance women’s leadership today and tomorrow.

With continuous growth every year over the last 50 years, we celebrated our 50th anniversary milestone in New York City by acknowledging the achievements we have made and what we can do together in the future. Click here to see highlights from New York.

Detroit — the birthplace of Motown — was the perfect venue to explore solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. More than 700 leaders from 22 countries gathered to reflect on how creativity and culture shape our economy and our world, tackling topics such as artificial intelligence, the transformation of transportation and how our environment shapes our brains and bodies. Click here to see photos and video from Detroit.

THEME: Thinking Differently

We discussed topics of critical concern to global leaders at the 2023 Cornerstone Conference, Thinking Differently, in Helsinki. Finland is consistently ranked in the top 5 best countries for women and has been ranked as the happiest nation on earth for 6 consecutive years. It’s a pacesetter in technology. It is a leader in design and sustainability and is a strategically important nation in the shifting geopolitical landscape of Europe. Experts shared their insights on these topics and more with over 550 members from around the globe.

THEME: Beating the Odds: The Search for New Solutions

This long-awaited return to IWF’s in-person World Leadership Conference and Gala was an excellent opportunity to discuss setting priorities and finding solutions to some of the most critical challenges of our time as attendees experienced the magic of IWF. The City’s leadership in renewable energy and water conservation, the research underway on the importance of behavioral and cognitive health, and the examples of success in innovation in a transitional time, provided an excellent context for cutting-edge conversations about these and other issues facing global leaders today.

THEME: Discovery Through Earth, Seas & Skies

We convened to provide an opportunity to explore the most important issues to you as global decision-makers. Chile was a perfect venue for these renewed conversations. From deserts in the north to volcanoes in the south, it is a country celebrated for its exceptionally diverse and beautiful landscapes. However, Chile is about much more than natural beauty. It is about creativity, exploration, and transformation. Chile is pushing forward global conversations on how countries are governed, how the built environment becomes increasingly more sustainable, and how existing technology can be used to accelerate decarbonization.

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