Forum will shed light on global female leaders’ challenge and achievements

By Lee Hyo-sik

The phrase, “the 21st century is the era for women,” has already become a cliche. Women have increased their social and economic
status, and a growing number of women are taking top management posts at various companies both at home and abroad.

However, there still exists discrimination against women. South Korea remains at the bottom in the gender equality index, claiming
104th position among 134 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum.

Many women are doing their utmost to break through the glass ceiling. And lots of them have already smashed it. These global women
leaders are coming to Seoul. This conference will provide a valuable opportunity to listen to their stories of challenges and successes.

Condoleezza Rice, former US secretary of state

From January 2005 to 2009, Condoleezza Rice served as the secretary of state of the United States. Before serving as America’s chief diplomat, she served as assistant to the president for national security affairs from January 2001 to 2004.

Rice joined the Stanford University faculty as a professor of political science in 1981 and served as the university’s provost from 1993 to 1999. She was a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution from 1991 to 1993 and returned to the institution after serving as provost until 2001.

Rice been involved in a number of humanitarian pursuits, most notably with the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), and in creating and serving on the board of the Millennium Challenge Corp. Both endeavors increased aid to developing countries and the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged populations.

She currently serves as a member of the board of trustees of the John. F. Kennedy Center for the performing Arts. In addition, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Rice earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Denver in 1974; her master’s from the University of Notre Dame in 1975; and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981.

Laura Tyson, professor of Haas School of Business

Laura Tyson is the professor of Global Management at the Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley. She is also a member of President Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

Tyson served in the Clinton Administration and was the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors between 1993 and 1995, and the President’s National Economic Adviser between 1995 and 1996.

Additionally, she served as Dean of the London Business School from 2002 to 2006, and as Dean of the Hass School from 1998 to 2001.

She has written for many publications, including the New York Times, the Financial Times and the Washington Post and has made numerous television appearances on economic issues.

Tyson is also the author of many insightful reports, academic papers and books on competitiveness, industrial policy and trade.

She received her undergraduate degree from Smith College and a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Najla Al-Awadhi, role model of Arab women

Najla Al-Awadhi is a member of the United Arab Emirates Federal National council (UAE Parliament) and deputy CEO at Dubai Media.

One of the first women in the history of the UAE to become a member of parliament, she covers a range of socio-political topics, broadly speaking about anything that falls under the media, government, or the role and rights of women, in the context of the Arab and Muslim World.

With a particular focus on television, she has been a monthly columnist for Gulf News, the leading English newspaper in the UAE, since 2007. She joined the media business to highlight the importance of female empowerment and encourage women to prove their skills and qualifications.

Al-Awadhi has also initiated positive change in society through the development of women’s rights in the region.

Energetic and dynamic, she represents the young and up-and-coming generation of passionately fired-up Arab women who have taken on the role as enterprising and productive members of society.

Al-Awadhi graduated from University of New Hampshire with a degree in history.

Jenny Shipley, former NZ prime minister

Jenny Shipley is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, from 1997 to 1999, and is currently a director of a number of companies in New Zealand and overseas.

She was a driving force in the successful decade of economic and social reform in her country, and retired from politics in 2002. She was an initiator of the Education Forum for East Asia, and is an active member of the World Women’s Leadership Council and is Vice President of the Club of Madrid, a group of former leaders who promote democracy and transparent economic development globally.

Shipley is also a chairman of Genesis Energy, Senior Money International and Mainzeal Construction. She is a director of China Construction Bank, one of the big four former state-owned banks in China. Shipley is deeply involved in a range of philanthropic projects in New Zealand and overseas.

Sigourney Weaver, devoted environmentalist

Sigourney Weaver is widely known around the world as Hollywood’s first ``female warrior.’’ The American actress is best known for her role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien film series, a role for which she received worldwide recognition. She also played a leading role in the Ghostbusters films, Gorillas in the Mist, The Ice Storm, Working Girl and Avatar.

Weaver is also a three-time Academy Award nominee and won Golden Globe Awards for Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl.

She has been called ``the Sci-Fi Queen’’ by many for her many science fiction and fantasy films.

Weaver has turned into a devoted environmentalist. In October 2006, she attracted international attention through a news conference at the beginning of a United Nations General Assembly policy deliberation. At the time, she outlined the widespread threat to ocean habitats posed by deep-sea fishing. In April 2008, she hosted the annual gala of the Trickle Program, a non-profit organization focusing on people in extreme poverty, mainly women and the disabled.

The actress graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor of arts in English in 1972. She also earned the Master of Fine Arts degree at Yale University School of Drama in 1974.

Kate Sweetman, seasoned leadership consultant

Kate Sweetman is an experienced leadership consultant, educator, editor and speaker. She is co-author of the world-famous book, ``Leadership Code: 5 Rules to Lead by.’’

Sweetman collaborates with gifted young entrepreneurs from emerging and developing countries, including India, Rwanda, Columbia and Vietnam. While an editor at the Harvard Business Review, she acquired and edited articles by top business executives, academics and consultants from around the globe on the topics of business creativity, organizational change and development, leadership psychology, teamwork and social enterprise.

Sweetman is a founding partner of Sweetman Consulting, an education and organizational development firm based in Milton, MA. In addition to her career in executive and management education, she has worked in publishing and academics.

She was also research associate at Harvard Business School and later taught the management communication courses there. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard.

Lucy Marcus, leader for tomorrow

Selected in 2002 as one of the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders for Tomorrow, Lucy Marcus represents a new generation of global decision makers from business, government, politics and civil society who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in areas as diverse as society, the environment, finance, technology and social responsibility in business.

Marcus is the CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting and High Tech Women. Prior to founding both companies, she was a co-founder and vice president of marketing and sales of an enterprise management software company.

An expert on business and finance, and both the new and the old economy, Marcus helps to identify and tackle the most important questions that need to be answered in the ever-changing economic landscape. She helps key players to assess the corporate landscape and find solutions to problems they face in indentifying markets and winning customers.

Isabel Aguilera, Spanish business leader

Isabel Aguilera is the former president of General Electric (GE) Spain and former CEO of Google Spain and Portugal.

Prior to her position at Google, she was chief operating officer for NH Hotels, overseeing the daily operations and the financial performance of 240 owned, leased and managed luxury hotels worldwide.

Aguilera was also general manager and director of the board at Dell Computers in Spain, Italy and Portugal. She has worked for several computer and technology companies such as Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and Vodafone.

Aguilera was chosen as one of the 50 most influential women on the planet by Fortune Magazine. She tells audiences to build strong relationships between the business sector and the Internet community. She also lectures about opportunities that the Internet offers to existing and new businesses.

Aguilera has a Bachelor’s degree in architecture and a Master’s in commercial management and marketing from the Instituto de Empresa.