At the Heart of Economic Growth: First cohort of Road to Leadership Women Entrepreneurs graduate

On Saturday, 42 women entrepreneurs successfully graduated from the Road to Leadership Programme, developed in 2021. This programme, designed to equip women entrepreneurs with confidence, vocality and strategic decision-making as leaders and changemakers, has imparted vital influence on leadership, communication and advocacy. Road to Leadership is one of five flagship programmes offered by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (CBFW), of which it is delivered by ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. (ACI) through the sponsorship of the ExxonMobil Foundation. This year’s pilot programme consisted of women entrepreneurs who previously completed the Road to Growth and Road to Finance programmes, both of which aim to expand women-in-business’ investor confidence, credibility and strength against structural barriers that deter women from accessing resources. According to Leanne Baker, Senior Programme Manager, CBFW, the Foundation encourages women to use their voice to create a positive impact on families and wider societies, upon which the Road to Leadership programme is pillared. Upasna Mudlier, and Keon Smith, co-facilitators of the Road to Leadership Programme, emphasized that the leadership, communication and advocacy are the facets necessary for elevation of women’s leadership positions in business environments. The Road to Leadership programme teaches these strengths, contextualized through a local perspective from key stakeholders. The impact of the Road to Leadership programme was defined by the participants who conveyed that ACI and the CFBW have been instrumental in delivering education to women entrepreneurs to become confident and develop a market presence. With this, they underpinned that Road to Leadership has taught women entrepreneurs how to overcome gender biases, lack of access to resources and the double burden. In this light, Suzanne DeAbreu, Exxonmobil Foundation, agreed that ACI and the CBFW have helped women to redefine the future for themselves and the society. Her Excellency Jane Miller OBE, in support, stated, “Having women at the heart of the economic growth is going to be the story of success for this country [Guyana].” Davitri Doerga, CEO of ACI, thanked each of the three companies for their commitment to women’s success and the wellbeing of their families upon reflecting on the participants’ entrepreneurial journeys, dedication and perseverance. Road to Leadership was piloted successfully in 2021 with women in Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria and Kenya. In closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the ExxonMobil Foundation are swiftly advancing women’s economic empowerment in boosting the local economy.

14 Feb 2023 16:00 | by anaraine