News: Advancing Women as Leaders in Development

A strong movement is sweeping across the globe: Women are getting the long overdue recognition and visibility they deserve as leaders and role models. In the social change sector, like any other sector, there are critical steps to help women succeed as innovators and executives. How can stakeholders come together to identify and develop the right skills to help both women and men thrive as leaders in international development? What can organizations do to become more alert to the advantages of having strong female leaders? These topics are what the Forum to Advance Women’s Leadership in the International Development Sector on June 6 will address.

As a leader in the international development space, Chemonics is proud to feature several of its female executives at the forum, including President and CEO Susanna Mudge. These women will present on topics such as coaching, working motherhood, and inclusive leadership.

“We cannot talk about sustainable development impact without touching on gender equality and inclusive leadership,” says Ms. Mudge. “I am proud to join fellow female leaders in the sector at this forum and equally proud to say that Chemonics continues to be committed to providing leadership opportunities throughout our global organization.”

Hosted by the Women Innovators and Leaders (WILD) Network, the event brings together more than 150 emerging and experienced leaders representing 60 organizations from across the international development sector.

The full agenda features 50 dynamic speakers over the course of the day, including the following presentations by Chemonics’ leaders:

• Peer-to-Peer Learning Roundtable: Field Office or Home Office? Navigating Pathways to Leadership (12:05 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.) – In this session, Anna Slother, chief operating officer of the Global Health and Supply Chain Office, and Terri Kristalsky, senior vice president of the Europe and Eurasia division, present their insights on how roles based in the field or home office each present their own challenges and opportunities for women looking to rise as leaders in the development sector.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning Roundtable: Making Being a Working Mom Work for You (12:05 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.) – In this session, Francesca Molinaro, Chemonics’ diversity and inclusion director, joins Mimi Darmstadter of the Metropolitan Area Working Mother’s Alliance to discuss the unique challenges that working mothers face and their perspectives on how to balance competing priorities while advocating for themselves professionally.
• Plenary: Journeys of Inclusive Leadership, Part II: View from the Top (1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.) – In this plenary session, Susanna Mudge, Chemonics’ president and CEO , shares stories from her executive journey to promote inclusive leadership at a large international development implementing organization. Other executives from DAI, FHI 360, RTI, and ACDI/VOCA will join Ms. Mudge.

Learn more about the event at the Forum to Advance Women’s Leadership in the International Development Sector website, and follow @WILDinnovators to check out the conversation on social media!