Gwen Young: Disrupting Biases and Accelerating Change with Women Business Collaborative

Over the past three years alone, women-owned businesses globally have witnessed remarkable growth, soaring by an impressive 34%. This success highlights the immense talent and potential of women leaders across industries. One such inspirational leader is Gwen K. Young, a powerhouse in international affairs, humanitarian relief, and women's empowerment. As the CEO of Women Business Collaborative (WBC), a Visiting Scholar at the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and former Director of the Global Women's Leadership Initiative at the Wilson Center, Gwen's achievements and contributions to society are remarkable.  

Throughout her illustrious career, Gwen has tirelessly championed economic development, good governance, and peace across the globe. Her expertise lies in developing strategy, programming, and advocacy in various critical areas such as humanitarian policy, international affairs, and international development. She has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships that focus on crucial issues like public health, agriculture, gender equality, and access to finance.  

Gwen's dedication to the cause of women's rights is evident in her work as an attorney, where she has served as a professional advocate for women and human rights in corporate law settings, notably with the ICTY and the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. Her influence has reached far and wide, having worked with prestigious organizations such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, the 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 School of Law, Gwen embodies the true essence of international public service. Her career has been a commitment to humanitarian relief, international development, and human rights, with a steadfast focus on gender equality and equity.  

Lifelong Mission for Change  

Gwen's journey began with a strong passion for foreign affairs and international relations, which led her to work as a program manager in Malawi for the International Rescue Committee. There, she discovered her calling—to make a meaningful impact on people's lives and advocate for social justice. This pivotal moment ignited a lifelong commitment to empowering communities across Africa, assisting refugees and internally displaced people in finding self-reliance and resilience.  

Throughout her career, Gwen has worked with prestigious organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Doctors Without Borders. As the CEO of Women Business Collaborative (WBC), she focuses on achieving equal opportunities for all women in business globally. Driven by her mission to create a better world, Gwen finds joy in working with people and believes in the power of collaboration to solve global issues.  

An extrovert with a deep love for global diversity, Gwen thrives on the challenges of working across cultures and finding common ground among differences. She has spent over two decades in various African countries, engaging with communities, government leaders, and nonprofits to improve access to healthcare and education. Gwen's enduring dedication to her mission is what fuels her every day, and she remains committed to creating positive change in the world.  

Accelerating Change Through Alliance  

Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is a groundbreaking alliance of national professional women's organizations dedicated to achieving equal position, pay, and power for ALL Women in Business. This social movement unites thousands of diverse professional women and men, along with business organizations, public and private companies, and the media, in a collective effort to accelerate change through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability.  

At the heart of WBC's mission is the commitment to providing women with equal opportunities to ascend to leadership positions, regardless of their status as small entrepreneurs or CEOs of major corporations like CVS Health. With eighty-three women's business organizations and hundreds of business leaders driving the movement, WBC fosters collaboration and showcases best practices that empower women in the business landscape.  

Through thought leadership, convenings, sharing success stories, and disseminating research, toolkits and playbooks, WBC empowers businesses of all sizes to ensure equity in their operations. This transformative approach aims to reform the business landscape and create lasting change. Bold and unwavering in their pursuit, WBC seeks to level the playing field and create a world where all women can thrive in leadership roles, leaving no room for gender disparities in business.  

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs  

WBC boasts nine action initiatives, each with 2025 and 2030 targets. The first three initiatives aim to increase the representation of women on boards, as CEOs, and in the C-suite. The next three focus on empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing their access to capital, and fostering their growth in technology fields. The final three initiatives concentrate on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, achieving gender pay parity, and advancing women's careers through the pipeline.  

Among their programs, WBC offers the "Fundamentals of Capital" online class in collaboration with Babson College, empowering entrepreneurs with essential knowledge. Additionally, WBC is hosting the inaugural "Women's Capital Summit" in New York City, in partnership with Wells Fargo. This in-person event will gather 150 entrepreneurs and 50 investors, featuring discussions on capital, business growth, scaling, and investor connections. In addition to the event and partnership with Wells Fargo, Gwen is spearheading WBC's largest virtual event, known as the Action for Impact Summit, which will take place virtually from September 20-21, 2023. During the Summit, WBC will present the 2023 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards and the 2023 WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards.  

Driving Change for Gender Equality  

Gwen recognizes that unconscious bias poses one of the greatest obstacles to achieving gender equality. Biased systems in hiring and promotions can hinder women from accessing the same networks and opportunities available to their male counterparts. Additionally, the burden of caregiving often falls disproportionately on women, impacting their career trajectories. Gwen believes that to drive change, women must assert their ambitions, advocating for their goals despite potential discomfort. Embracing diversity and building relationships with people from different backgrounds can create new opportunities and reshape norms. While challenging, Gwen's experiences have taught her the importance of standing in one's power and working relentlessly to achieve their aspirations.  

Given the systemic barriers that persist, Gwen's advice to change-makers is simple yet impactful: "Just do it." Don't wait for the perfect time or expertise - just take action. Whether it's speaking up about inequality you witness or teaching inclusivity at home, we all have the power to drive change. Start where you can. Have an open discussion with friends about improving your community. Do equal chores with family members to model equity. Small steps lead to big shifts.  

You don't need to be an activist on the global stage to make an impact. Question practices that seem unjust. Listen to understand different perspectives. Lead by example in your daily life. Challenge the notion that leadership looks one particular way. Remind yourself that culture evolves as people change their minds. Complacency will not spur progress. We all have a role, so don't underestimate your influence. Find your voice. Lend your compassion. Make the choice to shape the world as it should be, not settle for what it is. Justice takes action from us all.  

Driven by a determined mission to empower women and achieve gender equity, Gwen K. Young has dedicated her career to disrupting biases, shattering glass ceilings, and accelerating change through bold alliances united for equal opportunity.