She Is Global Forum: Connecting Dreams and Female Empowerment
Medellín has become an inspiring setting, where empowerment intertwines with entrepreneurship and dreaming.
From August 8th to 10th, we had the opportunity to be in Medellín, participating in the fifth edition of the largest forum in Latin America focused on gender equity and women's empowerment: "She is Global Forum." We joined a group of 3,752 participants whose central theme was "Resilience for Transformation." It was a gathering that brought together visionary minds, leaders, and dreamers from around the world, and together we united to foster knowledge exchange and promote gender equity. This was achieved through in-depth conversations, disruptive spaces, and inspiring moments.
As director of the foundation, I actively participated in the event's talks and, along with Wayuu leader Maria Alejandra Uriana, we were at our stand to showcase the project and products of our business program.
This experience allowed me to see that dreams can come true, and every part of our dream as a foundation is fulfilled alongside wonderful and influential women in different fields.
For María Alejandra Uriana (Wayuu leader), visiting Medellín was a dream, and we made it a reality through her participation in the forum. For her, this process embodied empowerment, ownership, and synergy. She immersed herself in an entrepreneurial and motivating environment, where she had the opportunity to interact and connect with entrepreneurs, clients, and exhibitors from around the world. I loved hearing her share her culture and tell stories related to the representation of the bags and crafts at the stand.
Every moment in Medellín was enriching for her. From the brainstorming sessions to the passionate conversations, every moment fueled her entrepreneurial spirit and allowed her to contribute her own experiences and perspectives. Now, after participating in the forum, María Alejandra has become a vital component of this story of growth and connection. She reflects with gratitude on this experience and is excited to share the lessons and stories she brought back, hoping to inspire others to pursue their dreams and embrace opportunities along the path of entrepreneurship and cultural diversity.
On the other hand, as a director, I found She Is Forum to be an inexhaustible source of energy. This event gave me a 1000% boost to continue pursuing my dream of positively impacting the community and exercising constructive leadership. It was great to hear the stories of so many successful entrepreneurial women and also to observe how they've faced ups and downs, thus understanding how the process works. The most meaningful thing is to persevere in the pursuit of that dream, that life purpose of being an entrepreneur, of making an impact, and of doing things well, with the goal of building a world.
It was wonderful to witness how women united at the event, creating a supportive space in a society that often presents challenges of patriarchy and machismo. Sisterhood and solidarity among women were evident and became fundamental pillars of this gathering. I am thrilled to learn how Colombian women are building spaces in the economic, financial, and, especially, entrepreneurship and business fields. I left this event completely connected and inspired by women who are doing exceptional work; I was filled with admiration and enthusiasm. This space also gave me the opportunity to understand different paths and methodologies, as well as opportunities to develop, structure, and improve from an entrepreneurial perspective.
She Is Forum became a spectacular platform for our foundation and for me. It was a space that facilitated connections, business programs, education, and mutual admiration. It gave me the opportunity to observe, learn, and practice sisterhood, that solidarity among women that is so valuable. The energy that filled the She Is Forum was incredibly special. It was imbued with dynamism, innovation, talent, and mutual support. It was a beautiful and magical energy that all of us, as women, shared and projected.
The president and founder of the She Is Foundation, Nadia Sánchez, has been a powerful example of leadership and empowerment. Listed by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in Colombia, she redefines the power of women with her leadership, proving that leadership has no gender. As an administrator, social entrepreneur, and women's rights advocate, she has worked tirelessly to empower vulnerable women and victims of armed conflict, empowering them and enabling them to break the cycles of violence.
Through her foundation, she takes girls between the ages of 8 and 15 from vulnerable populations in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador to NASA's Space Center in Houston each year as part of her "She Is an Astronaut" program. Her work focuses on closing the gender gap and achieving equity in STEAM fields. She Is has become a key organization for establishing economic models in rural areas with women victims of armed conflict and Indigenous women.
This year, the forum featured 209 panelists, including Alejandra Torres Dromgold, founder and CEO of the Musas Community and Academy, a judge on Shark Tank Colombia, and founder and president of Contempo Empresa B. During the event, I had the opportunity to attend her panel discussion on "Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Organizations: A Call to Action for Gender Equality." Her ideas and approach truly left a lasting impression.
Another notable participation was that of Juan Pablo Socarrás, director of the Socarras Handmade Stories project. His discussion, titled "Sustainable Fashion for Transformation #WithoutLabels: Men and Women Creating for Women," was an enriching experience. It was amazing to see how sustainable fashion can be a driver of change and transformation, eliminating labels and promoting gender equality.
Among the panelists were also Odino Faccia, president of the Red Voz Por La Paz Foundation and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize candidate from Argentina; Amanda Dudamel, designer, model, and entrepreneur, 2023 Universal Viceroy of Venezuela; Bibiana Aído, representative of UN Women Colombia from Spain; Claudi Ruiz Sántiz, an indigenous chef listed as one of the 50 most influential by Forbes in Mexico; Felipe Bayón, leader of the Colombian energy sector; Maria Alejandra Requena, communicator, winner of 2 National Emmy Awards, former CNN host, author, and speaker from Venezuela; and Nina Rodriguez, a business leader, designer, creative, change manager, and singer-songwriter from Colombia.
This event was a wonderful opportunity for our Sacred Thread Foundation. We connected with strong, resilient, and powerful entrepreneurial women, both nationally and internationally, demonstrating how women can work alongside men for gender equality, achieving a significant impact.
Narrated by: Natalia Bertel, Director of the Sacred Thread Foundation
Written by Jeanne Nicole Lafont Jiménez