Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:15 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Rise & Shine Walk
Depart from Hotel Main Lobby
7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: Philanthropy Breakfast
Admiral Suite 1, Level -3, East Wing
From Entrepreneur to Women’s Empowerment Philanthropist: A Conversation with Chrissie Rucker, OBE, Founder, The White Company, and Marty Wikstrom, Chairman, Fortnum & Mason
Hear firsthand the remarkable story of Chrissie Rucker, the “Martha Stewart of London” and Founding Silver Patron for Women Supporting Women at The King’s Trust. Chrissie will be in warm and lively conversation with Marty Wikstrom, past board member of IWF, the IWF Leadership Foundation, and 2025 IWF Leading Light Award recipient. Come early for breakfast as the session will start promptly at 7 AM. Fresh insights and food for thought are featured on the menu!
SPEAKERS:
- Chrissie Rucker OBE, Founder, The White Company
- MODERATED BY: Marty Wikstrom, Chairman, Fortnum & Mason (IWF United Kingdom)
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: Law Breakfast
Admiral Suite 2, Level -3, East Wing
Baroness Helena Kennedy of The Shaws, one of Britain’s most distinguished Kings Counsel, member of the House of Lords, expert in human rights law and advocate for women will join us for a conversation about why women’s human rights are currently being eroded around the world.
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: Higher Education Breakfast
GMT Suite, Level -2, East Wing
Welcome to all involved in and interested in higher education! We will have time to connect and engage in informal conversation, as well as hear briefly from a panel of three current university presidents about the biggest challenges they and their institutions face, and what bright spots keep them excited.
SPEAKERS:
- Dr. Ayelet Ben Ezer Gelbard, CEO, Reichman University (IWF Israel)
- Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D., Chancellor and President, the Texas Woman's University System (IWF Dallas)
- Hilary L. Link, Ph.D., President, Drew University (IWF New York)
MODERATOR:
- Deborah Sternberg, Founder, Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge (IWF New York)
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Fellows Alumnae Breakfast
Room 23, Level 23, Tower Wing
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
IWF Registration Desk
West Wing Foyer, Ground Level
7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Pop-Up Shops
Richmond Foyer and Richmond 1-4, Level 1, West Wing
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Official Conference Opening
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Speakers:
- Kimberly Cooper Jaqua, Global Board Chair, International Women’s Forum
- Julie Goldstein and Susan Young, Co-Chairs, IWF Cornerstone Conference
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Plenary 1: A New World Order: A Global Realignment
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Across the world, historic partnerships and alliances have been disrupted. These shifts raise critical questions: What do changing alliances mean for peace and stability? How are nations adapting to new security and diplomatic realities? And what opportunities and risks do these changes present for the future of international cooperation?
SPEAKERS:
-
Alice Albright, Carnegie Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Global Politics, Columbia University; Former CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
-
María Solanas, Director of Programmes, Elcano Royal Institute
-
Sir Peter Westmacott, Former UK Ambassador to the US, France, and Turkey Former UK Ambassador to the US, France, and Turkey
MODERATOR:
- Margaret Evans, Senior International Correspondent, CBC News
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Plenary 2: Ideas Remaking the World
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Listen as your IWF sisters share their ideas for remaking the world and transforming their communities. Meet the innovators, instigators, and disruptors among us, and find inspiration in their successful initiatives that run the gamut from arts to education, business to philanthropy, technology to the environment.
SPEAKERS:
-
Laura Ellsworth, Of Counsel, Head of Global Community Service Initiatives, Jones Day: "Eradicate Hate: A Global Response" (IWF Pittsburgh)
-
Jeanne Saunders, Vice President, Institute for Children's Mental Health: "Improving Fetal Brain Development in the Womb" (IWF Colorado)
-
Suvi Uski, CEO & Founder, SomeBuddy: "Why Online Safety Will Save the World" (IWF Finland)
MODERATOR:
- Annika Jyllilä-Vertigans, CEO, Paree Group (IWF Finland)
10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Coffee Break
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
10:50 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Plenary 3: A Beautiful Mind
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders. Mental health is as vital as physical health, yet it remains under-resourced, stigmatized, and often deprioritized.
What are effective strategies for advancing early intervention, promoting equitable access, and centering the voices of those with lived experience? How can leadership, policy, and research work together to create more positive outcomes in mental health care?
SPEAKERS:
-
Rebekah Cresswell, Chief Executive Officer, Priory
-
Dr. Mary Docherty, National Clinical Director Adult Mental Health, NHS England
-
Dr. Mina Fazel, Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Oxford
MODERATOR:
- Katelyn Brown, Global Lead Partner, Deloitte (IWF United Kingdom)
11:35 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Plenary 4: Ensuring Safety, Justice, and Compassion
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
How can societies best ensure that citizens are kept safe and that those who commit crimes are held accountable?
For women in particular, how are justice systems around the world working—or failing—to balance safety, accountability, and rehabilitation? Examining sentencing practices, police treatment of women, and reintegration programs, what does it take to build a more equitable and effective justice system?
SPEAKERS:
-
Tricia L. Everest, Secretary of Public Safety, State of Oklahoma (IWF Oklahoma)
-
Olivia Rope, Executive Director, Penal Reform International
- Lady Unchained, Award-winning Broadcaster, Poet, TEDx Speaker and Creative Facilitator
MODERATOR:
-
Gloria Macarenko, Journalist (IWF British Columbia)
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Behind the Scenes Bus Departures
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Scheduled Return By 5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sponsor Reception
Room 23, Level 23, Tower Wing
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Dine Around Reception Sip and Shop
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
Grab a drink, browse the Pop-Up Shops, and connect before Members depart for Dine Arounds. Please refer to the back of your badge for your bus departure time.
6:30 p.m.
Guest Dinner Bus Departure
West Wing Foyer, Ground Level
6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Dine Around Bus Departures
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Guest Dinner
House of Lords
If you are joining the conference but are not an IWF member, we invite you to join us for a special dinner.
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Member Dine Arounds
It would not be an IWF conference without our beloved Dine Arounds. You will have the opportunity to meet and connect with your IWF sisters from around the globe in small groups. The dinners will be hosted around the city by Members of IWF UK.
Friday, May 15, 2026
6:15 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Rise & Shine Walk
Depart from Hotel Main Lobby
7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: Health Care Breakfast
Admiral Suite 1, Level -3, East Wing
Innovations in Longevity and Aging Care
Major demographic shifts are happening around the world, with many countries experiencing rapidly aging populations. The countries that will thrive have already anticipated these changes, begun to reshape their policies to accommodate the health, social, and financial challenges and opportunities this shift brings.
During our session, Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, President, Jewish Healthcare Foundation and Co-Founder of the IWF Healthcare Special Interest Group, will discuss how forward-thinking communities are responding to the demographic shifts with our aging population. Karen's presentation will be followed by facilitated, interactive table conversations on this timely topic.
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: Finance Breakfast
GMT Suite, Level -2, East Wing
We are delighted to welcome IWF UK Member Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at CEBR and Chair of RadixBigTent, as our guest speaker. A highly respected international economist, her career spans senior roles across government, business, and academia, and she is a leading voice on global markets and economic policy.
This interactive breakfast will be forward-looking, with Vicky’s insights followed by discussion and exchange on the key economic trends shaping our work and leadership.
SPEAKERS:
- Professor Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Advisor, Centre for Economics and Business Research; Chair, RadixBigTent (IWF United Kingdom)
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Special Interest Group: AI and Data Breakfast
Admiral Suite 2, Level -3, East Wing
We are pleased to welcome our guest speaker, Prof. Dr. Erçil, a globally recognized leader in computer vision and applied mathematics. With academic training from Boğaziçi University and Brown University, her distinguished career spans GM Research, leading universities, and major international research programmes.
This interactive breakfast will feature Prof. Dr. Erçil's insights, followed by an open discussion on how we can collectively shape the AI & Data SIG into an impactful and valuable community.
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
IWF Registration Desk
West Wing Foyer, Ground Level
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pop-Up Shops
Richmond Foyer and Richmond 1-4, Level 1, West Wing
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Day 2 Opening
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Plenary 5: Leading Better Together: Leadership as a Collective Act
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
In a world defined by complexity, geopolitical tension, and constant change, the leadership challenge is no longer individual brilliance, but the ability to activate collective intelligence.
Rooted in servant leadership and the spirit of ubuntu, Dr. Sharmla Chetty will explore leadership as a collective act. How can leaders intentionally activate influence and networks to unlock collective wisdom? And how can they navigate complexity and lead through change, with technology serving as an enabler rather than the driver?
SPEAKERS:
- Charmaine Houvet, Senior Director Africa, Cisco (IWF South Africa)
- Ms. Dineo Mathlako, Deputy High Commissioner, South African High Comission
- Jessica Ridella, Global Technology Managing Director, IBM
- Lady Linda Wong Davies, Founder and Chairman, KT Wong Foundation
MODERATOR:
- Dr. Sharmla Chetty, Chief Executive Officer, Duke Corporate Education (IWF South Africa, IWF United Kingdom)
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Plenary 6: Next-Gen Finance: The Evolution of Fintech
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Today, fintech is financial services. From filing an insurance claim for damage to your home to reviewing your investment strategy to seamlessly paying for an online purchase, every one of these transactions is technology-based, and this trend will only continue to grow. Increasingly, AI is embedded in these transactions. What is the potential, both positive and negative, for technology-driven financial systems around the world?
SPEAKERS:
-
Jessica Colvin, Head of Cyber Operations, Citi
- Madhavi Dahanukar, Executive Vice President & Global Head of Operations, EXL
- Kumjoo Huh, Korea Representative, G20 EMPOWER (Founding President, IWF Korea)
- Priyanka Rajkumar, Senior Vice President, Payment Services & AI Transformation & Strategy, EXL
MODERATOR:
- Margarete McGrath, Advisory and Strategy Partner Lead, Global Alliances, Dell Technologies (IWF United Kingdom, IWF Ireland)
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Plenary 7: The Global Look
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Beauty is a reflection of identity, culture, and wellbeing. The beauty industry has evolved into a global economic force, generating more than $600 billion annually. The aperture has widened for what constitutes the beauty standard. Sustainability, technology, medical advancements, and shifting consumer expectations are reshaping the industry.
From Asia’s rising beauty market to the innovative and sustainable B-Beauty British brands, the landscape is evolving rapidly. How are social media and AI shaping perceptions of the ideal? What does this broader definition of beauty reveal about societal change, and how is London helping shape the next chapter of the global beauty conversation?
SPEAKERS:
- Millie Kendall OBE, CEO, British Beauty Council
- Jung Saem Mool, Creative Director, JUNGSAEMMOOL Beauty (IWF Korea)
MODERATOR:
- Jessica Ng, Founder, The JESSICA Company (IWF Hong Kong)
10:45 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
Transition to Breakouts
11:05 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Breakout 1: The Future of Higher Education
Admiral Suite 2, Level -3, East Wing
With the idea of a liberal arts education coming under fire, and funding for university scientific research contracting, colleges and universities face critical challenges. What does the future hold for higher education? How can institutions adapt to evolving societal expectations, workforce demands, and demand for broader access?
SPEAKERS:
- Dr. Donna E. Shalala, 18th Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (IWF Florida)
- Doris Sohmen-Pao, CEO (Retired), Human Capital Leadership Institute (IWF Singapore)
- Dr. Joan F. Lorden, Provost Emerita, UNC Charlotte (IWF Carolinas, IWF Georgia)
- MODERATED BY: Dame Sandra Dawson, KPMG Professor Emerita of Management Studies, University of Cambridge; Fellow Emerita & former Master, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Breakout 2: Powerful Storytelling: Women in the British Literary Tradition
Admiral Suite 1, Level -3, East Wing
British literature has been shaped by women whose voices challenged convention, expanded literary form, and revealed the complexities of society. From early pioneers to contemporary innovators, their storytelling has continually pushed the boundaries of what fiction and narrative can be. What can we learn from the women who built this tradition, and how does their legacy influence the voices emerging today? How are modern writers reimagining British literature?
SPEAKERS:
- Professor Elleke Boehmer, Professor of World Literature in English, Executive Director of Oxford Centre for Life Writing, University of Oxford
- Dr. Paula Byrne, Bestselling Biographer and Novelist
- Rosalind Miles, Award-Winning Author (IWF United Kingdom)
- MODERATED BY: Karen Hayes AM, Director, Touchwood Consulting Pty Ltd (IWF Australia)
Breakout 3: The Art of Health: Creativity as Medicine
GMT Suite, Level -2, East Wing
One of the most powerful tools for improving health and wellbeing is arts participation. Music, dance, and visual arts can strengthen mental health, reduce isolation, and support healthy ageing. How can creative practice complement clinical care and help reduce health inequalities? What models are proving effective across health systems, cultural institutions, and workplaces?
SPEAKERS:
- Prof Daisy Fancourt, Scientist & Author, University College London
- MODERATED BY: Pam Garside, Chair, Cambridge Health Network (IWF United Kingdom)
11:55 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Transition to Kensington Suite
12:20 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Plenary 8: The Holy Grail: British Comedy
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Across the world, British comedy is known for its cleverness. Join us for a live performance by acclaimed comedy duo Flo & Joan, followed by a fireside chat about their creative process and the art of comedy.
FIRESIDE CHAT MODERATED BY:
- Kate Mason, Founder & CEO, Advisor & Coach, Non-Executive Director (IWF Australia)
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Lunch
Richmond Suite, Level 1, West Wing
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Book Signings: Professor Daisy Fancourt, Professor Elleke Boehmer, Dr. Paula Byrne, Rosalind Miles
Richmond Suite Foyer, Level 1, West Wing
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Moving from Health and Wellness to Wellbeing: An Interactive Workshop
Admiral Suite 1, Level -3, East Wing
In addition to their professional responsibilities, women are also the COOs of their families, making 80% of the healthcare and household purchasing decisions. Between leadership responsibilities, family demands, and the constant stream of advice on how to stay healthy, many women run out of time to prioritize their own well-being. This has a cost, and not just for women - the ripple effects extend to families, workplaces, and communities. Our panel of experts will help you find practical ways to build energy, resilience, and lasting wellbeing.
SPEAKERS:
- Dr. Vivien Brown, MDCM, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada (IWF Canada)
- Silvia Dávila Kreimerman, President Latin America, Comex member and CEO Mexico, DanoneCGF Latin America co-chair (IWF Mexico)
- Anne Marie Reidy, MD, JD, Founder and CEO of Women4Women OBGYN and Lotus Skin and Wellness (IWF Florida Suncoast)
SPEAKERS:
- Natalie Houlder, Vice President, Health and Wellness, Walmart Canada
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Elly’s Ladder Learning Session
Hoxton Lounge & Boardroom, Ground Level
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Elly's Ladder Reception
Room 23, Level 23, Tower Wing
7:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Closing Dinner Celebration
Kensington Suite, Level 3, West Wing
Experience the magic of IWF as you enjoy dinner and dance the night away with your IWF sisters.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Exclusive Elly’s Ladder Event
Fortnum & Mason
Join us for an exclusive event for Elly’s Ladder donors at Fortnum & Mason’s iconic flagship store.Transportation to and from the Hilton London Metropole will be provided. Please note this event is for Elly’s Ladder donors only, and guests will not be admitted.
Looking for assistance with registration? Contact us at: iwf@executivevents.com or +1 (866) 216-8040 [toll free]. We will respond to you within one business day.
