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2023 Women in Global Development Leadership Forum

Leading in this moment

May 3-4 | Virtual | Live Programming in 23 timezones

Leading in this moment

Live Programming in 23 timezones


Our sector is changing rapidly. Conversations around the traditional balance of power are leading to seminal shifts in how decisions are made, and who gets a say. And assumptions about the way we work have shifted, creating new opportunities for emerging leaders, and requiring new skills from seasoned leaders.

This year’s WILD Forum will equip you with the tools and inspiration to fulfill your leadership potential and be a changemaker in your arena. 

You’ll gain transformative insights to be more effective in the work that you do and to foster a culture of inclusive leadership within your organization and across the industry. 

Now, more than ever, we have a chance to lead the change – and shape the future of our sector, and our world.

2023 WILD Forum Tracks

Track 1:

Leading Yourself

Growing as a leader starts with investing in yourself. Discover sessions designed to equip you with the skills, self-awareness and resilience to shape your leadership trajectory.

Track 2:

Leading your team

Develop your skills as a manager and learn new ways to support, equip, and empower your team.

Track 3:

Leading Organizations

Refresh your vision and take away actionable insights to grow your organization’s reach and impact as you connect with other executive leaders.

Track 4:

Leading Sector Transformation

Discover the tools to build influence and emerge as a voice for positive change across the development and humanitarian aid sectors.

Pre- 2023 WILD Forum skill-building workshops

12apr10:00 am11:00 amMasterclass: How to build mentoring relationships10:00 am - 11:00 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

19apr10:00 am10:45 amMasterclass: Network audit: Gain clarity and confidenceStephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey (USA)10:00 am - 10:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

26apr9:00 am10:00 amPanel: DEI challenges & opportunities: Translating DEI programs across multinational organizationsNeneh Diallo (USA), Clifton Kenon (USA), Liz Nagel (USA), Jessica Duque (USA), Jennifer Leisch (USA)9:00 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

27apr9:00 am9:45 amMasterclass: Communicate artfully: Authentic, nuanced, impactfulHilary Blair (USA)9:00 am - 9:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

2023 Virtual Women in Global Development Leadership Forum

Day 1: Wednesday, May 3rd, 6am – 2:30pm ET | 11am – 7:30pm BST

Healthy Start: "Flow with change: An all-level hatha yoga session"Lamis Daoud (USA)6:00 am - 6:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Accessibility on an international scale6:00 am - 6:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Workshop: Daily coaching techniquesDina Scippa (USA), Maria Wade (USA)7:00 am - 7:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Women Deliver’s transformation: Our ongoing journey to become an anti-racist organizationDarcy Allen De Gracia (USA), Zanda Desir (Saint Lucia), Maria Rendo (USA), Moderator: Maliha Khan (Pakistan)8:00 am - 8:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Welcome! Day 1: Kickoff9:00 am - 9:10 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Keynote: “In your power: React less, regain control, raise others”Sharon Melnick (USA)9:10 am - 9:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Global development leaders discuss their experience of being in (and out) of their powerQuanita Pokolo-Hassell (USA), Helen Anyasi (Nigeria), Moderator: Sharon Melnick (USA)9:30 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Breakout rooms: What are you taking away about being in your power?Discussion question: What are you taking away about being in your power?10:00 am - 10:15 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Masterclass: Selling with noble purpose : How to sell your cause without feeling ickyLisa Mcleod (USA)10:30 am - 11:15 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Shifting realities, shifting capabilities: Understanding the evolving ecosystem of development and the next generation development professionalEvelyne Dioh Simpa (Senegal), Bama Athreya (USA), Yomna Mustafa (Egypt), Moderator: Tine Knott USA)11:30 am - 12:30 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: You're 10 years into your career, now what?Rowshan Hannan (UK), Taylor Jack (USA)12:00 pm - 12:30 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Why we set a goal to have 50% of women in leadership positions by 2025 - and how we are going to get thereJonas Prising (USA), Moderator: Jason Ighani (Costa Rica)1:00 pm - 1:15 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Allyship in this moment: Hero or anti-hero?W. Brad Johnson (USA), Candido Pastor (Bolivia), Moderator: Jason Ighani (Costa Rica)1:15 pm - 2:00 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Community conversations: Leading in this momentChoose from ~25 concurrent, roundtable discussions 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Day 2: Thursday, May 4th, 6am – 2:30pm ET | 11am – 7:30pm BST

Community conversations: Leading in this momentChoose from ~25 concurrent roundtable discussions 6:00 am - 6:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Plenary: Leadership in the context of decolonizing global developmentAissata Fall (Senegal), Sofia Sprechmann Sineiro (Uruguay)6:45 am - 7:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Co-leadership - The future of leadingZoe Greenwood (UK)7:00 am - 7:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Getting to the C-SuiteShanna Marzilli (USA), Melizsa Mugyenyi (Kenya)8:00 am - 8:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Keynote: Leading global diversity, equity and inclusion - From performative action to sustainable DEI progressDr. Rohini Anand (USA)9:00 am - 9:45 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Intersectional leadership: The key to transformative equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibilityAnna Winoto (Indonesia), Dr. Nduka Iwuchukwu (Nigeria), Elizabeth Kellogg (USA), Mona Abdeljawad (Jordan), Moderator: Roslyn Brock (USA)10:00 am - 10:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Breakout rooms: Global diversityAnna Winoto (Indonesia), Dr. Nduka Iwuchukwu (Nigeria), Elizabeth Kellogg (USA), Mona Abdeljawad (Jordan), Moderator: Roslyn Brock (USA), 10:30 am - 10:50 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Panel: Donors leading the change – Funding locally-led development in AfricaConnie Shumba (Zimbabwe), Zahra Nensi (Tanzania), Sarah Mukasa (Uganda)10:30 am - 11:15 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Lunch & virtual exhibitor booth open11:00 am - 11:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Talks: Leadership FailLabLinca Michaella Tuyisenge (Burundi), Marianna Balampama (Tanzania), Lisa Simeon (USA), Evelyn Castle (Nigeria)11:30 am - 12:30 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Breakout rooms: Join the Leadership FailLab speaker of your choiceLinca Michaella Tuyisenge (Burundi), Marianna Balampama (Tanzania), Lisa Simeon (USA), Evelyn Castle (Nigeria) 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Plenary: Closing speaker1:15 pm - 1:40 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Closing celebration! Networking session1:40 pm - 2:00 pm(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Post 2023 WILD Forum Workshop: Wednesday, May 31, 10am – 11:30am ET | 3pm – 4:30pm BST

31may10:00 am11:30 amWorkshop: Ideas to action - How to take small and consistent steps for personal and professional changeMorag Barrett (USA)10:00 am - 11:30 am(GMT-04:00) View in my time

Draft program. Subject to change without notice.

Formats

Masterclasses

A subject-matter expert will lead you through a structured process to develop and expand a specific skill. You’ll learn detailed techniques and tools you can immediately apply to your goals in real time. You’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to presenters.

Inspiring panels

Big ideas, important trends, illuminating research and behind-the-scenes intel that set the stage for the “what, why, and how” to advance leadership development and opportunities for ALL people.

Workshops

Take a deep-dive into pressing topics in the global development sector. Hear from multiple perspectives, and leave with concrete and transferable information, as well as an expanded network.

Leadership FailLab

Hear from leaders speak from the heart about their leadership failures and successes in one of our most popular sessions.

Community conversations

Participate in roundtables addressing critical questions for your sector and your career.

Networking sessions

Connect with your peers from around the globe through structured networking, organized by geography and sector.

How you’ll learn, share and connect

The WILD Forum brings you content and speakers that offer concrete and transferable learning in fun, inspiring formats.

Another advantage? You’ll connect with others in an authentic way – which makes the WILD Forum one of the best networking events of the year.

Thank you to the global community who shapes our program. More than 75 speakers bring their knowledge, lived experience and research to refine the WILD Forum conversation.

Notify me with WILD forum updates

We’ll be announcing details of speakers, sessions and other information ahead of the event – register here and be the first to know!

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