On March 16th, 2021 the United Nations Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Live event convened leaders from business, government, civil society and academia to discuss and demonstrate how the private sector can help bring down barriers to gender equality by respecting and supporting the rights of women and girls.

2020 WE Empower Awardee Valrie Grant and co-chair Amanda Ellis participated in the panel discussion “When She Leads: The Power and Potential of Women’s Entrepreneurship.” The session featured a fireside chat where women entrepreneurs from around the world spoke about how their organization advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the obstacles they face. Following the fireside chat, a panel discussion of industry leaders discussed best practices of how to support women-led businesses and how organizations can engage in similar initiatives.

The event was moderated by WE Empower co-chair Amanda Ellis, Director of Global Partnerships, ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Lab. The speakers included:

Matilda Payne Boakye-Ansah, Designer, MH Couture & Xtreme Upcycle

Valrie Grant, Managing Director, GeoTechVision

Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer, Mary Kay

Norah Odwesso, Senior Director for Social Impact, The Coca-Cola Company

Olukayode Pitan, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry