Gwen K. Young

Gwen K. Young is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women Business Collaborative. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University and former Director of the Global Women’s Leadership Initiative and Women in Public Service Project at the Wilson Center. She is an Advisor to Concordia and President of BalanceUp Leadership. Ms. Young has worked across the globe to promote equal opportunity, and peace and justice. She has developed strategy, programming and advocacy in the areas of humanitarian policy, international affairs and international development. This includes developing public private partnerships focused on public health, agriculture, gender equality, and access to finance. Further, Ms. Young has advocated for and published on the role girls and women play in political, social and economic development and designed exploitation and SGBV guidelines. As an attorney, Ms. Young has worked as a professional advocate for women and human rights in corporate law settings, with the ICTY and the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego.Her career has encompassed a comprehensive array of international organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Medecins Sans Frontieres, International Rescue Committee, and the Harvard Institute for International Development.An alumna of Smith College, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of California Davis, Martin Luther King Jr School of Law, Ms. Young has pursued a career of international public service in humanitarian relief, international development, and human rights.

BLOGS

"With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes." -Gwen Young

Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA)

BLOGS /

With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes.

Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA) Read More »

  • Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA)

    • With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes.

    BLOGS

    "The path forward requires a collective effort from organizations, educators, governments, and individuals. By embracing strategies such as redefining leadership norms, implementing mentorship programs, and addressing structural barriers, we can create an inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to lead and succeed." - Gwen Young

    Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025

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    In 2025, WBC will continue its mission to advance women leaders, working toward equal position, pay, and power for all women in business while building a more inclusive business landscape.

    Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025 Read More »

  • Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025

    • In 2025, WBC will continue its mission to advance women leaders, working toward equal position, pay, and power for all women in business while building a more inclusive business landscape.

    BLOGS

    "Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress." - Gwen Young

    Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward

    BLOGS /

    Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress.

    Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward Read More »

  • Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward

    • Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress.

    BLOGS

    It Starts With You: Takeaways From the 2024 Action For Impact Summit

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    Last month, we gathered hundreds of business leaders across the nation for the Women Business Collaborative’s Annual Action for Impact Summit. We heard from amazing speakers and exchanged ideas on how to use our collective experiences to boost women’s leadership. In true WBC spirit, we focused on tangible steps to create a more just and equitable workplace for women in business.

    It Starts With You: Takeaways From the 2024 Action For Impact Summit Read More »

  • It Starts With You: Takeaways From the 2024 Action For Impact Summit

    • Last month, we gathered hundreds of business leaders across the nation for the Women Business Collaborative’s Annual Action for Impact Summit. We heard from amazing speakers and exchanged ideas on how to use our collective experiences to boost women’s leadership. In true WBC spirit, we focused on tangible steps to create a more just and equitable workplace for women in business.

    BLOGS

    Women’s Equality Day

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    On Women’s Equality Day, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made toward gender equality while also addressing the challenges that remain for women in the workplace. Some companies have faced

    Women’s Equality Day Read More »

  • Women’s Equality Day

    • On Women’s Equality Day, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made toward gender equality while also addressing the challenges that remain for women in the workplace. Some companies have faced

    BLOGS

    Going for Gold: Celebrating Women’s Representation in Paris

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    At WBC, the spirit of competition and celebration is soaring as the Summer Olympics in Paris unfold. While we cheer on our favorite athletes, we are all witnesses to a

    Going for Gold: Celebrating Women’s Representation in Paris Read More »

  • Going for Gold: Celebrating Women’s Representation in Paris

    • At WBC, the spirit of competition and celebration is soaring as the Summer Olympics in Paris unfold. While we cheer on our favorite athletes, we are all witnesses to a

    BLOGS

    Building a Better Workplace: The Importance of Intersectionality for Women of Color

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    This month, Women Business Collaborative is focusing on intersectionality and how it informs the experiences of women of color in the workforce. We know that all women face barriers to

    Building a Better Workplace: The Importance of Intersectionality for Women of Color Read More »

  • Building a Better Workplace: The Importance of Intersectionality for Women of Color

    • This month, Women Business Collaborative is focusing on intersectionality and how it informs the experiences of women of color in the workforce. We know that all women face barriers to

    PRESS RELEASES

    press release

    press releases

    WBC Announces 2024 Recipients of the CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award and the Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award

    PRESS RELEASES /

    WBC announces the recipients of the 2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award and the 2024 Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award. The honorees will be recognized at the WBC Action For Impact Annual Summit on September 25, 2024

    WBC Announces 2024 Recipients of the CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award and the Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award Read More »

  • WBC Announces 2024 Recipients of the CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award and the Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award

    • WBC announces the recipients of the 2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award and the 2024 Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award. The honorees will be recognized at the WBC Action For Impact Annual Summit on September 25, 2024

    BLOGS

    Gwen k young (1)

    Empowering Women in AI and Cybersecurity: Inspiring Inclusion for a Better Tomorrow

    BLOGS /

    The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 campaign theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” highlights the importance of understanding and valuing women’s inclusion: with more women actively participating fully in a broad range of fields,

    Empowering Women in AI and Cybersecurity: Inspiring Inclusion for a Better Tomorrow Read More »

  • Empowering Women in AI and Cybersecurity: Inspiring Inclusion for a Better Tomorrow

    • The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 campaign theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” highlights the importance of understanding and valuing women’s inclusion: with more women actively participating fully in a broad range of fields,

    BLOGS

    Gwen Young

    The Importance of  Women In Global Trade 

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    Global trade is part of the fabric of our everyday business life and plays a major role in economic growth. International trade organizations grow faster, pay higher salaries, and provide

    The Importance of  Women In Global Trade  Read More »

  • The Importance of  Women In Global Trade 

    • Global trade is part of the fabric of our everyday business life and plays a major role in economic growth. International trade organizations grow faster, pay higher salaries, and provide