About
Who We Are
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) is an invitation-only network of the most accomplished women in the world. We connect women leaders across every professional sector in support of each other and the common mission of advancing women’s leadership and championing equality worldwide. Established in New York City in 1974, today IWF is comprised of over 7,500 preeminent women leaders in 33 countries and 74 local Forums. IWF is the only organization of this scale that builds significant relationships between C-level women across countries and careers.
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Why We Exist
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) was launched in New York City in 1974 when the first generation of women leaders was breaking the glass ceiling in professional sectors from finance to fine arts. Forum founders lacked access to “the old boys club” so the new women’s network was born – to provide professional and personal support to aid each other’s success and inspire women who follow. Women supporting women is just as vital today as the challenges we face call for a new era of leadership. Women remain underrepresented in the c-suite, on corporate boards, at the top of academia, law, finance, science, techology, media and health sectors and the creative arts and receive a fraction of venture capital awarded to male-led enterprise.
Our Mission
Every member of IWF has a demonstrated commitment to our unifying mission: advancing women’s leadership and championing equality worldwide. Together we are shaping a future in which leadership has no gender and the next generation is inspired and equipped to transform the world.
Our Initiatives
IWF takes direct action to achieve our mission of advancing women’s leadership and championing equality worldwide through three key initiative streams that foster alliances, promote mentorship and support continual learning at the highest level:
• Leadership Conferences combine networking opportunities for members at locations around the world with a robust program of thought leadership on issues of critical concern to global leaders. Virtual programs that provoke and inspire throughout the year supplement our semi-annual conferences.
• Leadership Development nurtures the next generation of women leaders through networking, mentoring and targeted training.
• Leadership Showcases provide inspirational role models across generations and inspire change by demonstrating how women’s leadership is transforming the world.
Leadership Conferences
IWF Conferences amplify topics of critical concern to global leaders through a woman’s lens. Our cutting-edge content and world-class speakers rival Davos and the Aspen Institute and inform, educate and inspire our members to lead change in the world. IWF hosts two global conferences each year – the World Leadership Conference usually held in North America and the Cornerstone Conference held at an international location. IWF Conference content is available virtually and is supplemented by frequent virtual thought leadership programming throughout the year drawing on our member’s diverse expertise.
Leadership Development
Our members are committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation of women leaders. Worldwide research consistently confirms three key barriers that restrict the potential of women leaders: limited access to business networks, lack of mentors and inadequate leadership training. IWF’s development experiences, including our Leadership Fellows Program and IWF Virtual Leadership Intensives, directly tackle these barriers to help today’s rising stars realize their full potential.
Leadership Showcases
IWF believes shining a light on accomplished women leaders opens every individual’s idea of the possible. We showcase the impact of women leaders through carefully curated award programs including our International Hall of Fame, Ideas Remaking the World and Women Who Make a Difference.