It’s not very often in life that you get a chance to be at the vanguard of an important worldwide movement. Maybe it’s the way surfers feel when they catch a towering wave. It’s a combination of awe, excitement, terror and the moment of breathlessness just before you are caught up in the power and speed of the wave; it’s a sense of knowing that you are facing a life-changing moment.
That is how I feel at this critical juncture in our organizations history – and as I survey what may be in front of us at TIAW. Supported by a rich history of more than 25 years, TIAW is poised to move to a whole new level as our programs reach a critical level of maturity and our outreach is gains significant momentum.
As our member networks gain knowledge, impact and confidence, TIAW acts as a conduit to share both the knowledge and progress that is being created in more than 30 networks representing tens of thousands of women around the world.
TIAW is uniquely qualified to play this role as a non-partisan, non-political, not-for-profit umbrella organization. We focus on the economic empowerment of women, knowing that any society’s well being is tied to the ability of women to participate fully in all social and economic activities; the more women are educated, the more opportunities they have to support themselves and their families, the better the whole society functions.
From women entrepreneurs in developing countries who participate in our Microenterprise program to women at the highest corporate levels sharing best practices as they aspire to sit on boards of directors, TIAW is mobilizing around the world to bring the positive social and economic progress that comes with empowering women.
It is a tremendous honor to be stepping in as President of TIAW at such an exciting time, following in the footsteps of so many intelligent, dedicated and inspiring leaders.
And there is no question that when it comes to TIAW, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Together, we can achieve tremendous things. TIAW’s motto is “Connecting to make all the difference in the world” and my goal as President over the next two years will be to live out those vital and eloquent words.
