GSW Home 2019

1,065 Delegates from 70 Countries at the 2019 Global Summit of Women in Basel!

2019 Summit photos credit: Quentin Jones

Photo Credit:© Nicole Nars-Room (niz)

Women Government Leaders Share Wisdom at 2019 Summit

Prime Minister of Namibia Saraa Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga with Summit President Irene Natividad (left photo); and Prime Minister of Aruba Evelyn Wever-Croes (right photo)

Professor Muhammad Yunus and Winnie Byanyima Receive Global Women's Leadership Award

Summit President Irene Natividad presents Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Founder of the Grameen Model of micro-financing, and Oxfam International's Winnie Byanyima with the 2019 Global Women's Leadership Award.

: Prof. Hijran Huseynova
State Committee for Family, Women & Children Affairs
AZERBAIJAN

: Hon. Ing. Kantha Phavi
Minister for Women’s Affairs
CAMBODIA

: Hon. Nadine Girault
Minister for International Relations and La Francophonie, Province of Quebec
CANADA

: HON. MARIE THERESE ABENA ONDOA
Minister for Women’s Empowerment
CAMEROON

: Hon. Muriel Penicaud
Minister for Labor
FRANCE

: Hon. Bulgantuya Khurelbaatar
Deputy Minister of Finance
MONGOLIA

: Hon. Nezha El Ouafi
Secretary of State in charge of Sustainable Development
MOROCCO

: Hon. Ummy Mwalimu
Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, and Children
TANZANIA

: Hon. Simonetta Sommaruga
Federal Councillor for Environment, Transport, Energy & Communication
SWITZERLAND

: Hon. Elizabeth Ackermann
President, Canton of Basel-Stadt
SWITZERLAND

: Hon. Thorsteinn Viglundsson
Former Minister for Social Equality
ICELAND

: Hon. Eva Herzog
Vice President, Canton of Basel-Stadt
SWITZERLAND

: Hon. Martha Lucía Mícher
Senator
MEXICO

: Jill Ader
Chair, Egon Zehnder
UNITED KINGDOM

: Maria Ariza
CEO, BIVA Stock Exchange
MEXICO

: Ana Paula Assis
Latin America General Manager, IBM
BRAZIL

: Delphiene Bellini
CEO, Schiaparelli
FRANCE

: Henryka Bochniarz
President, Lewiathan
POLAND

: Patama Chantaruck
Managing Director, IBM
THAILAND

: Les Clifford
Interim Country Manager, EY Switzerland
SWITZERLAND

: Li Dang
CEO, Genertec
CHINA

: Gert de Winter
Group CEO, Baloise Group
SWITZERLAND

: Carol Dominguez
President, John Clements Consultants
PHILIPPINES

: Marisa Drew
CEO, Impact Advisory Finance, Credit Suisse
UNITED KINGDOM

: Mercedes Erra Executive President, Havas Worldwide (France)

: Richard B. Evans
Board Chair, Constellium
UNITED STATES

: Ali Faramawy
Corporate Vice President, Digital Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft Corporation
EGPYT

: Beatrice Ferrant
CEO, LeFrancFerrant & Founder, Aerogami
FRANCE

: Johanna Friedl-Naderer
Head, Europe and Canada, Biogen
SWITZERLAND

: Jane Griffiths
Global Head, Actelion
UNITED KINGDOM

: Andrea Grisard
CEO, Ultra-Brag AG
SWITZERLAND

: Danièle Henkel
President, Danièle Henkel Enterprises, Inc.
CANDADA

: Martin Jetter
Senior Vice President & Chairman, IBM Europe
USA

: Julie Jorgensen
CEO, GreenMark Solar
UNITED STATES

: Wandee Khunchornyakong
Chair, SPG
THAILAND

: Deepankar Khiwani
CEO, CapGemini Switzerland
SWITZERLAND

: Sung Joo Kim
Chair & Chief Visionary Officer, MCM Holdings
SOUTH KOREA

: Inga Legasova
CEO, RemiLing
RUSSIA

: Lyn Lewis Smith
CEO, Business Events Sydney
AUSTRALIA

: Kesara Manchusree
President, Thailand Securities Depository Co.
THAILAND

: Ruth Metzler-Arnold
Chair, Switzerland Global Enterprises
SWITZERLAND

: Carolina Müller-Möhl
President, Müller-Möhl Group
SWITZERLAND

: Dirk Ostijn
President, Europe, Middle East, Africa, MetLife
IRELAND

: Maria Rios
CEO, Nation Waste Inc.
UNITED STATES

: Christine Schmid
Managing Director, Credit Suisse
SWITZERLAND

: Gloria Serobe
Co-Founder, Women’s Investment Portfolio (WIPHOLD)
SOUTH AFRICA

: Ann Sherry
Executive Chairman, Carnival
AUSTRALIA

: Charlotte Tasset
CEO, Nina Ricci
FRANCE

: Pia Tischhauser
Global Head of Insurance, BCG , Group Executive Committee Member
SWITZERLAND

: Le Hong Thuy Tien
CEO, Imex Pan Pacific Group
VIETNAM

: Beat Ulrich
CEO, St. Gallen Foundation
SWITZERLAND

: Najat Vallaud-Belkacem
CEO for Global Affairs, Ipsos & Former Minister of Education
FRANCE

: Peter Voser
Chairman & CEO, ABB
SWITZERLAND

: Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul
Chairperson, Toshiba Thailand
THAILAND

Mayor of Sydney, Rt. Hon. Clover Moore speaking at the Mayor's Forum
The Inaburra A Capella Choir performs to welcome participants to Sydney
Top women leaders take the stage at the Opening Ceremony
Delegates from Azerbaijan attend the Opening Ceremony
2017 Summit Host Committee Chair, Noriko Nakamura addresses the 2018 Summit participants at the Opening Ceremony
Ann Sherry, Chairman of Carnival Australia welcomes participants to the 2018 Summit
Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Julie Bishop speaking at the Opening Ceremony
Vice President of Vietnam, H.E. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh addressing the crowd at the Opening Ceremony
Andrea Mason, CEO of NPY Women's Council accepts the Australian Women's Leadership Award
Summit delegates in the Darling Harbor Theatre
Participants await the start of the opening ceremony at the ICC, Sydney
Women CEO Forum: Defining the Workplace of the Future with panelists Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, CEO & Managing Director, Mirvac Group, Maggie Henriquez, President & CEO, Krug Champagne, Ines Juste, Grupo Juse, and Colleen Neville, CEO, Te Arawa Group Holdings Ltd. with moderator, Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit of Women
Participants ask questions of the panelists at the Women CEO Forum
"CEO Forum Engaging Middle Management on Gender Diversity" with panelists Brian Hartzer, Managing Director and CEO, Westpac, Zia Zaman, CEO, Lumen Lab, MetLife, Tim Reed, CEO, MYOB, Inc. and Johnpaul Dimech, Regional Chairman, Asia Pacific, Sodexo with moderator Angela Mackay, Global Publisher, FT Live and Managing Director, Financial Times Asia Pacific and Hong Kong SAR
Participants take notes during the CEO Forum
Cindy Hook, CEO, Deloitte Australia moderates session with panelists Holly Ransom, CEO, Emergent, Elise Apolloni, Managing Partner, Capital Chemist Wanniassa, & Alison Green, Founder and CEO, Pantera Press (click photo to see video)
Alison Green, Founder and CEO, Pantera Press responds to audience questions during "Why Millennials are Critical to the 21st Century Economies" session
"Entrepreneurs Forum" panelists Le Hong Thuy Tien, CEO, IMEX Pan Pacific Group, Catriona Wallace, CEO and Founder, Flamingo AI, Xu Ping, CEO, Henan Imported Materials Public Bonded Center Group and Anasuya Gupta, Chair and Managing Director, CICO Technologies with moderator Denise Evans, Vice President, Women & Diverse Marketing, IBM
"Entrepreneurs Forum" panelists Le Hong Thuy Tien, CEO, IMEX Pan Pacific Group, Catriona Wallace, CEO and Founder, Flamingo AI, Xu Ping, CEO, Henan Imported Materials Public Bonded Center Group and Anasuya Gupta, Chair and Managing Director, CICO Technologies with moderator Denise Evans, Vice President, Women & Diverse Marketing, IBM
"Shifting the Dial on Boards, Management and Markets" breakout session with panelists Elizabeth Broderick AO, Special Rapporteur, UN, Louise Beveridge, Board Director, Ethics and Board and Foo Mei Lee, Chief Regulatory Officer, Securities Commission, Malaysia
"Growing your Business with Technology" breakout session addresses questions from the audience
Participants queue to ask questions of the "Using the Internet to Amplify Female Role Models" panel.
"The Future of News in the Digital Age" session with panelists Stan Grant, Presenter, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Janice Peterson, Presenter, SBS World News,Rachel Pannett, Deputy Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal, Angela Mackay, Global Publisher, FT Live and Managing Director, Financial Times Asia Pacific and Nicole Sheffield, Chief Digital Officer, News Corp Australia, moderated by Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit of Women
"The Future of News in the Digital Age" session with panelists Stan Grant, Presenter, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Janice Peterson, Presenter, SBS World News, Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit of Women, Rachel Pannett, Deputy Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal, Angela Mackay, Global Publisher, FT Live & Managing Director, Financial Times Asia Pacific and Nicole Sheffield, Chief Digital Officer, News Corp Australia
"Using the Internet to Amplify Female Role Models" breakout session with panelists Kirstin Ferguson, Board Director, Australian Broadcasting Corp & Founder, #CelebratingWomen campaign, Suzy Nicoletti, CEO, Twitter Australia, Martine Jager, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, Westpac Banking Group and Janelle Weissman, Executive Director, UN Women Australia moderated by Armelle Caminati-Rabasse, Founder & CEO, Axites-Invest
Fred Balboni, General Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Alliances, Global Business Services, IBM responds to participant questions during "Preparing for 21st Century Jobs" session
"The Nexus Between Energy and Women's Economic Empowerment" with panelists Sam Mostyn, Chair, Citi Australia and Former President of the Australian Council for International Development, Emma Imperial, President & CEO, Imperial Housing Corp, and Meg McDonald, Board Director, Australia Renewable Energy, moderated by Makoto Itoh, Managing Director, 3M Australia & New Zealand
Narelle Hooper, Editor, Company Director magazine responds to questions during "Developing Effective Media & Presentation Skills" breakout session
Participants networking between sessions at the ICC, Sydney
Participants from the 91-member Kazakhstan Delegation after the Closing Ceremony
Participants onstage following the Closing Ceremony
Ann Sherry AO, Chairwoman, Carnival Australia announces the 2018 Ministerial Award winner, Hon. Elizabeth Thabethe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, South Africa

"Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. It was an honor to be a part of this inspiring conference and to work with esteemed colleagues in the field of Inclusion and Diversity was the 'icing on the cake.'"

-Esther Hernandez, Chief Diversity Officer, Sandia National Laboratories

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"The atmosphere, the energy, the quality of the interactions and the program were above expectations. Many new topics and high-level speakers."

-Stephanie Cardot, Co-Founder and President, ToDoToday

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"I felt as if we were all linked with such strength. It was not power, it was much deeper, as if a new era is coming. I felt new global energy ... taking care of each other, doing your best without expecting anything, and enough faith in our future to no longer fear it. It was encouraging to all of us."

-Beatrice Ferrant, CEO, Lefranc Ferrant

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"I never know who I will connect with, but with the Summit's unique camaraderie, whoever she is, she will offer her support as I will offer her mine."

-Tess Mateo, Managing Director, CXCatalysts

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“The impact of this event will be far-reaching in Morocco and the Arab and Islamic worlds. As a Moroccan woman and as a member of the present Moroccan government, I felt delighted by the extent to which the Global Summit of Women allowed a variety of cultures to open up to each other, regardless of cultural differences and geographical borders.”

– Najima Thaythay Rhozali, Secretary of State for Literacy and Informal Education, Morocco

“I have attended many conferences and forums over the years and few have kept my interest sparked from start to finish as did this year’s Global Summit of Women in Marrakech. I was truly impressed by the talent, positions held, and capabilities of all the women participating both as presenters and as attendees. I met some wonderful people from across the globe — what an experience and a privilege.”
– Damayanti Vasudevan, United States

“The Global Summit of Women 2003 provided an excellent opportunity for me to learn about national women’s machineries and to exchange ideas and information with committed partners and dynamic businesswomen from around the world.”
The Honorable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women)

“I enjoyed this Summit very much. It was a great opportunity to meet all these prominent women. The idea I liked very much was the one-day workshop about empowerment of Arab women. We really need that forum and it was great to exchange ideas between Arab women.”
– Zeinab Safar, Egypt

“The networking was fabulous. Until the very last moment, we were still networking, and I found a prospective supplier in Bangladesh, just a few minutes before boarding the plane. I came back with many contacts and ideas. Before the closing of the summit, we were already talking about the next one.”
– Evnur Taran, Canada

What the Participants are Saying…

“The Summit was perfectly organized and professionally conducted. It is the best opportunity for networking with like-minded women in business. One cannot get a better platform for meeting women leaders and entrepreneurs from so many countries. It was the ideal forum for test marketing of my products and it was grand success.”
– Farah Khan, India

“The (Summit) once again confirmed what I strongly believe: that the only geographical barriers that exist for our projects are those that we allow to exist.”
-Donna Kelley, Spain

“What I found most valuable was meeting and networking with such high caliber, wonderful women. It was a chance to connect with women whom I would not otherwise have had the chance to meet, and to learn something about cultures and countries far removed from my own. A truly enlightening and mind-expanding experience.”
-Elizabeth Scott, Hong Kong

“I certainly left Barcelona feeling empowered, renewed and ready to face new challenges and tackle them head-on. The powerful testimonies of fellow women, their achievement and zeal is alone worthwhile being there.”
-Inge K. Zaamwani, Namibia

I was very much inspired by the synergy of talents, capabilities, experience, dynamics, and initiatives represented in Barcelona.”
-Nela Milijic, Croatia

What the 2002 Summit Achieved:

* Raised $10,000 to be used as microenterprise loans by Afghan women seeking to reenter their country’s economy

*Created a Technology Committee to develop ways of continuing the sharing of best practices among Summit participants and other women entrepreneurs globally

* Released a report through its Corporate Women Directors International project on Spanish women corporate directors in Spain’s top 300 Companies to establish a national benchmark to measure progress.

*Agreed to develop a compendium of corporate best practices in creating equal opportunities for women.
More on this report

Home of the 2016 Global Summit of Women

Warsaw Old Town Market Square

Mermaid Statue in Warsaw's Old Town Market Square

Frédéric Chopin Museum

Chopin's Famous "Pleyel et Cie" Grand Piano

The Royal Castle of Warsaw

Inside the Royal Castle

Inside the Royal Castle

Saxon Garden of Warsaw, oldest park in Warsaw opened in 1727

Chopin Monument in Łazienki Park

Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum

Inside Politechnika Warszawska- Warsaw University of Technology

Golden Terraces Shopping Mall in Warsaw

Copper-Roof Palace of Warsaw

Carmelite Church, created 1761-83

Łazienki Palace

Wilanów Palace

Inside Wilanów Palace

University of Warsaw Library

Sapieha Palace

Warsaw at night

Global Summit of Women President Irene Natividad ringing opening bell at GPW-Warsaw Stock Exchange

Europe’s growth champion - Poland has more than doubled its GDP per capita since 1990, and was the only EU economy to sidestep the 2008-09 financial crisis and recession.

The leading economy in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is a magnet for multinational companies both as a manufacturing and growing consumer base, as well as a gateway to emerging markets in the region.

A leading symbol of regional stability, this country has successfully transitioned to a vigorous democracy, while it continues to advance its political and economic profile on the international stage.

A country with an increasing number of women leaders from the Prime Minister to the Mayor of Warsaw to numerous government ministries and corporations, Poland’s influential women’s networks are making a mark on public policy through its innovative nation-wide Congress of Women.

Poland has a rich heritage based on a 1,000-year historical tradition while it embraces a thriving, vibrant modern culture.

Check out the New York Times' piece 36 Hours in Warsaw, Poland for the best in entertainment, dining, and culture.

"enjoyed learning and connecting with these great leaders from around the world. Yes, Switzerland it is .. Count me in!"

-Patama Chantaruck, General Manager of Worldwide Software Asset Management, Microsoft

"The entire experience of the Summit was outstanding and so inspiring. These few days had tremendous impact and will be with me personally and professionally for the rest of my life."

- Shannon Studstill, VP, Product Develop-ment, Sony Playstation

"The content is timely and value-added, the speakers are engaging, and the networking is exceptional! My colleagues used words like “life changing” and “inspiring” to describe their experiences."

- Kimberly Admire, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, SAIC

"Just a word: amazing! Great presentations, great professionals, great workshops. To see all these women gathered around a common theme, a common goal was really a strong motivation to continue.”"

-Isabelle Kuster, Senior Vice President for Operations and IT, McDonald's France and Southern Europe

“I never know who I will connect with, but with the Summit’s unique camaraderie, whoever she is, she will offer her support as I will offer her mine”

-Tess Mateo, Managing Director, CxCatalysts

“What an impressive event! The whole event was so well- thought through, and every day was so colorful and meaningful -- From presenters, to the topic of discussion which was so relevant, and all the events.”

-Parnsiree Amatayakul, CEO, IBM Thailand

Congratulations on a successful Summit. I was impressed with the energy and excitement of the 1000 participants who came from different countries and walks of life! I know that it take a high level of dedication and perseverance to organize 17 successful Summits, which is an amazing achievement. – Shinae Chun, Director, Women’s Bureau, US Department of Labor

The organisation was perfect, the quality and diversity of all the attendees made it very rich and positive. Thank you for also letting everyone talk and express her own situation which vary a lot according to the origin, obvious, it is not the same to be a sales manager in IBM in Madrid and be stressed sometimes by the glass ceiling and to “struggle for life” in Congo, and we certainly need to hear about that as well. – Catherine Delaunay, IBM, Spain

This week in Berlin we came together from 95 different countries and united behind commonalities as women, businesspeople and world leaders…. I was reminded of how important it is to continue to reach out to one another. To continue to listen, learn, and exchange experiences across borders. – Gay Gaddis, President and CEO, T-3

The Global Summit of Women was truly amazing. Women leaders from business, politics and society exchanging views, connecting and working towards a better world: congratulations to you and your team for making this happen!
– Mirella Visser, Supervisory Board, Royal Swets & Zeitlinger and CEO Centre for Inclusive Leadership

More

GSW Home 2019

1,065 Delegates from 70 Countries at the 2019 Global Summit of Women in Basel!

Women Government Leaders Share Wisdom at 2019 Summit

Professor Muhammad Yunus and Winnie Byanyima Receive Global Women's Leadership Award

Meet Some of the Leaders Participating in the 2019 Global Summit of Women

Government Leaders

Business Leaders

Global Business Leaders (Continued)

Media Leaders

CLICK HERE to see More 2019 Global Summit of Women Speakers

Welcome from Basel

See What Happened at the 2018 Global Summit of Women in Sydney, Australia

...

30 Years of The Global Summit of Women

Hear about the Summit from the Summit President

Members and partners

Be Part of the 2019 Summit

Hear from Summit Special Guest Gala Vilarrasa

Be Part of the 2020 Summit

What Summit Participants are Saying

2020 Summit Supported by:

In-Kind Sponsors

2020 Virtual Sponsors

Supported by:

In-Kind Sponsors

Media Partners

Summit President on Straight Talk with CNBC’s Bernie Lo

Interview with Irene Natividad on CNBC-e

2016 Speaker Highlights

2016 Summit Information

2015 Summit Information

2014 Summit Information

2013 Summit Information

2000 Summit Information

2017 Summit Information

2012 Summit Links

2007 Summit Links

2018 Global Summit

2011 Summit Links

2010 Summit Links

2007 Summit Links

1992 Summit Links

2009 Summit Links

2008 Summit Links

2003 Summit Links

2003 Sponsors

What the Participants are Saying…

2006 Summit Links

2002 Summit Links

Explore the Summit Brochure

What Participants are Saying

What the Participants are Saying…

Summit Outcomes…

What the 2002 Summit Achieved:

Summit President, Irene Natividad

What Summit Participants Accomplished

“The greatest opportunity for our association was to participate in the creation of a confederation of Mediterranean women entrepreneurs’ associations.”

-Daneille Rousseau, President, Dirigeantes, France

What is the Summit?

2005 Summit Links

2016 Poland Corporate Sponsors

2016 Partners

More 2014 Summit Photos

2004 Summit Links

2004 Sponsors

What the Summit Offers

Welcome to Warsaw, Poland!

Home of the 2016 Global Summit of Women

Europe’s growth champion - Poland has more than doubled its GDP per capita since 1990, and was the only EU economy to sidestep the 2008-09 financial crisis and recession.

The leading economy in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is a magnet for multinational companies both as a manufacturing and growing consumer base, as well as a gateway to emerging markets in the region.

A leading symbol of regional stability, this country has successfully transitioned to a vigorous democracy, while it continues to advance its political and economic profile on the international stage.

A country with an increasing number of women leaders from the Prime Minister to the Mayor of Warsaw to numerous government ministries and corporations, Poland’s influential women’s networks are making a mark on public policy through its innovative nation-wide Congress of Women.

Poland has a rich heritage based on a 1,000-year historical tradition while it embraces a thriving, vibrant modern culture.

2014 Summit Sponsors

2015 Summit Sponsors

2013 Summit Sponsors

Sponsors

Media Partners

In-Kind Sponsors

What Participants are Saying…