Cartier Women’s Initiative Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary In Dubai
For its 15th anniversary, Cartier Women’s Initiative has brought together its global community of changemakers in Dubai to recognize their remarkable achievements and collectively shape the future of the programme, looking back on its evolution and footprint.
Since its creation in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported 262 women changemakers hailing from 62 countries and has awarded a total of $6,440,000 in prize money to support their businesses, all driven by a common conviction: Solving the most pressing global challenges.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative World Reunion kicked off on March 6, 2022, in the company of global thinkers and doers to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women leveraging business as a force for good.
Hosted by Tiffany Dufu, Founder and CEO at the Cru, a training organization for women in the United States, the celebration began with a concert of the Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, offering a poetic repertory of beautiful masterpieces to pay tribute to all these wonderful women impact entrepreneurs.
This exceptional musical moment was followed by an introductory speech of Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, who reaffirmed the Maison’s strong commitment towards women’s empowerment, congratulating the outstanding evolution of the programme and encouraging to continuing the quest for a more equitable and thriving world. “I am thrilled to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Cartier Women’s Initiative. During all these years this initiative has brought together a community of passionate social entrepreneurs, who have developed successful business models improving lives around them. This community is a constant source of awe and inspiration”. Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International
The ceremony also welcomed special guests: Guo Jingjing, world diving champion and pioneering woman and Yara Shahidi, actor and producer, who, as changemakers, respectively shared their visions of gender equality and women’s empowerment and highlighted the social and environmental impact the new generation seeks to have on the world.
Following these powerful speeches, Cyrille Vigneron and Sophie Doireau, CEO of Cartier Middles East, India and Africa, celebrated the 9 Impact Awardees - former Cartier Women’s Initiative fellows who have been selected for the extraordinary impact their businesses have created over the years. Then, they proceeded to announce the first-place awardees of the 3 Impact Awards Categories: Improving Lives, Preserving the Planet and Creating Opportunities, which are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
The event was also an opportunity to honor the 10 Cartier Women’s Initiative Community Champions–the mentors, judges and coaches that serve as their valued allies.
Beyond the ceremony, Cartier Women’s Initiative organized, from March 6th to March 8th, a series of workshops, Meet & Learn and networking sessions for its community to allow participants to meet passionate changemakers from around the world, spark new collaborations and tackle shared challenges.
THE 3 FIRST-PLACE IMPACT AWARDEES
IMPROVING LIVES
Temie Giwa Tubosun, Nigeria, LifeBank
A medical distribution company that uses data and technology to discover and deliver essential medical products to hospitals in Nigeria.
Temie Giwa-Tubosun | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
PRESERVING THE PLANET
Charlotte Wang, China, EQuota Energy
EQuota is an energy optimization company that combines artificial intelligence and big data to deliver energy efficiency solutions.
Charlotte Wang | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Fariel Salahuddin, Pakistan, UpTrade
A bartering service enabling off-grid rural communities to exchange livestock for solar- powered water pumps and home systems.
Fariel Salahuddin | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
THE 3 SECOND-PLACE IMPACT AWARDEES
IMPROVING LIVES
Nneka Mobisson, Nigeria, mDoc
A mobile platform that provides people living with chronic disease with 24/7 access to virtual healthcare providers
Nneka Mobisson | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
PRESERVING THE PLANET
Joanne Howarth, Australia, Planet Protector Packaging
Planet Protector Packaging manufactures environmentally responsible insulated packaging made from sheep waste wool for transport of temperature-sensitive goods.
Joanne Howarth | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Carmina Bayombong, Philippines, InvestEd
InvestEd is a Success Platform that provides low income, high potential students the 3Cs they need to succeed- capital, coaching and community.
Carmina Bayombong | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
THE 3 THIRD-PLACE IMPACT AWARDEES
IMPROVING LIVES
Rasha Rady, Egypt, Chefaa
Chefaa has created an AI-powered, GPS-enabled digital platform to help chronic patients order, schedule, and refill their recurring medicines regardless of location or income.
Rasha Rady | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
PRESERVING THE PLANET
Lorna Rutto, Kenya, EcoPost
EcoPost manufactures durable fencing posts using plastic waste, an environmentally friendly alternative to timber.
Lorna Rutto | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Carol Chyau, China, Shokay
Shokay produces children’s clothes and accessories, home furnishings and yarn using yak fiber purchased directly from the region’s herder.
Carol Chyau | Cartier Women's Initiative (cartierwomensinitiative.com)
The first-place awardee will take home US $100,000 in grant, while the second- and third-place awardees will respectfully receive US $60,000 and US $30,000. Finally, the 9 awardees will each receive human capital support valued at US $10,000.
For more information on the programme and footage of the fellows, please visit: www.cartierwomensinitiative.com
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