News Become a Global Mentoring Walks Flag Bearer

Are you a current or past Vital Voices fellow looking to get involved and network with other women leaders? If the answer is “Yes!” then consider registering to organize a Global Mentoring Walk in your community on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in celebration of Women’s History Month and a lead-up to International Women’s Day.

Global Mentoring Walk organizers are known as Flag Bearers. This unique volunteer position serves as the lead for organizing a Global Mentoring Walk event in her community. In New York City, for example, we are honored to have DVF Founder & Co-Chairwoman and Vital Voices Board Member Diane von Furstenberg and Vital Voices Co-Founder, President & CEO Alyse Nelson serve as Flag Bearers for the NY Mentoring Walk.

For more information and to register as a Flag Bearer, click here.

The Origins Story: How Mentoring Walks Became a Global Event
This global movement began with one woman’s effort to share her knowledge and experience with aspiring women leaders. Geraldine Laybourne, the founder and former CEO of Oxygen Media, began responding to requests from young women for advice by inviting them to meet her for a morning walk. It became a routine for Laybourne and an invaluable opportunity for women who wanted to learn from her experience and perspective. In 2008, Laybourne, a board member and longtime friend of Vital Voices, introduced the concept of mentoring walks to leaders within our global network. They, in turn, took the idea to their home countries and coordinated the first Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walks, which has become an annual event ever since. Since then, more than 685 Walks have been coordinated in over 80 countries worldwide.

Will This Be Your First Walk?
If you’re interested in hosting your first Global Mentoring Walk and would like more information on how to get started, please email Julia Drake at: juliad@vitalvoices.org.