Sheila Gulati, MD Global Capital; Julie Goran, Partner,  McKinsey (NYC); Alexandra King, CNN (NYC); Katherine Berjoan, Liberty Mutual (NYC); Ruba Borno, Cisco Systems (NYC); Irina Sacha, Founder, Verizon Media (Athens); Dana Rawashdah, Metlife (Amman).

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Launched by the Global Thinkers Forum, a London-based social purpose organization with Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah as its Founding Patron, Athena40 is the first ever global selection of the most forward-thinking, innovative women from across all industries which will be published every two years. It was officially announced at UNESCO on International Women’s Day 2018.

@Athena40_Global
#athena40women

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Findings across panels included:

London, UK: “Women have smashed the glass ceiling in the corporate world, but more progress is required. There is still not enough appreciation of diversity. The biggest barrier is the fear from within and by creating mechanisms for recognition, such as Athena40, women will be acknowledged and encouraged to continue doing great things.”

Athens, Greece: “There is no glass ceiling, but a glass feeling. We create our glass ceilings. So we need mentors.  Women need more mentoring than men, so as to enable networking, break down gender obstacles to networking. We need to give back, on a one-to-one basis.”

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Amman, Jordan: “Panelists stressed the importance of change starting in the education system to prompt positive change toward empowering women in Jordan, to disrupt the stereotypes and stop the perpetuation of gender disparity and decrease the masculinization of language in text books.”

New York, USA: “While conversations around women in leadership are happening, and there is a will to make them happen more, we need to focus on the steps that are taken after the conversation. Confidence starts at the age of 5. It’s important to start these conversations with younger generations and get young girls excited about being leaders”.

Istanbul, Turkey: “We are in need of more initiatives to encourage women to enter the business world, more opportunities for easy access to education, mentorship programs, scholarships, grants and obviously government support to scale impact. Solidarity and unity between women has a huge importance. Role models have great influence on the women especially suffering from lack of self-confidence”.
 
Lahore, Pakistan: “Technology is our partner and is helping women to be more successful. Civil societies need to work to raise awareness on women issues along with media. Data tells us women who are running businesses are twice as likely to send their children to school than women who don’t have their own businesses”.

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Questions explored by all panels:

 

1. What progress has been achieved in the past years with regards to the women's empowerment agenda in your country?

2. Where are the major challenges and opportunities?

3. Who are the real change-makers, the ones who can actively promote women's empowerment?

4. What can be done to promote the diversity, inclusivity and women's empowerment agenda?

5. What does the ‘’Way To The Top” mean to you? What is the 'top' and how does it feel to be at the top – to be an ‘Athena’?

6. How are you different to your younger self, and what would you advise your younger self today?

7. Do you find that you stop yourself from doing things because of fear, insecurity or social prejudice?

8. Can you make a pledge that you will support a woman as mentor or sponsor or that you will promote a cause or a project that supports women? Please name it if so.

9. Can you think of women - and men - from your country/region who have created - or are involved in - great projects, but have not receive the credit they deserve?