Vital Voices Global Partnership, in partnership with Bank of America, is proud to host the 23rd Global Ambassadors Program (GAP) from June 24th – 28th in New York City. GAP 2024 brings together 15 women leaders (mentees) in the handcraft and handmade sector and six Global Ambassadors (mentors) for a week of tailored training, mentorship and networking. Each of the mentees took part in the 2023 GAP Virtual Summit and applied and were selected for the 2024 in-person program.
Through both skills training and group mentorship, the program will address the ongoing needs and challenges facing our 15 mentees. They join us from nine different countries, each of whom are tackling the world’s greatest challenges, underscoring the critical function that women can and must play in moving their communities forward, and the role of women as drivers of innovation and socio-economic growth.
Our six mentors include Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of America AJ Barkley; Chief Sustainability and Impact Officer at Dollar Tree Jennifer Silberman; Author, Lawyer, Leadership Coach, and Activist Karen Walrond; Emeritus CEO and Indego Africa Board Member Karen Yelick; Managing Director at Bank of America Kristen Hill, and CEO of the WiB Group Roseann Kelly. The 15 mentees will have the opportunity to build open and ongoing relationships with these established women leaders who will share strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving goals as a part of the mentee’s ongoing professional, organizational and leadership journeys.
Our 15 Ambassadors include:
- Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro, Founder & CEO of MitiMeth
- Bindu Vinodhan, Founder & Executive Director of the Mauna Dhwani Foundation
- Chisom Nwankwo, Founder of The Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI)
- Hifza Afaq, Co-founder & CTO of Kaarigar Mandi
- Joy Anya Lim, Co-founder & Managing/Creative Director of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery
- Kahindo Mateene, Founder & Creative Director of KAHINDO
- Kanak Hirani, Founder of JULAHAS BV
- Marija Ivanković Jurišić, Owner & Textile Designer of the Artworkshop Marija Handmade
- Mary Onyango, Managing Director of Afrocessories Co, Ltd
- Michelle Yidios, CEO of Yidios Hakim
- Neesha Amrish Mehta, Founder & Creative Director of Aeshaane
- Ola Shami Nasr, Owner of Qasaed Jewelry
- Sindhu Holla, Founder of Fifth Origins
- Uchenna Ibe, CEO of Ivy League Collections
- Zarah Jane Juan, Creative Director & President of Zarah Juan
Since its launch in 2012, The Global Ambassadors Program has successfully held 23 programs in various countries around the world. The program has impacted the lives of over 360 women from more than 85 countries.
Click here to learn more about the program.