The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 2025 International Women's Day Forum, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, convened leaders across sectors to highlight the vital contributions of women to business and society. This event offered actionable strategies and networking opportunities focused on driving economic growth around the world through strategic investments in women and girls.
As speakers and panelists noted throughout the day, significant opportunities emerge when businesses expand opportunity beyond borders, allowing women to tap into worldwide markets, networks, knowledge, and resources.
See below for our five key takeaways from this year’s International Women’s Day Forum:
This year's event brought together leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors to explore how investing in women and girls strengthens communities and drives economic growth.
Attendees connect at the 2025 IWD Forum hosted at U.S. Chamber headquarters in Washington, DC.
Panel discussion on 'The Entrepreneur's Journey: Seed, Growth, and Exit' featuring Diana Heldfond, Shelly Lanning, and Jenny Abramson at the 2025 IWD Forum.
Attendees engage during a session at the 2025 IWD Forum at U.S. Chamber headquarters, which featured plenary discussions, interactive polling, and experiential networking opportunities for leaders focused on women's economic impact.
Foundation executive director, Shanique Streete, delivers remarks at the 2025 International Women's Day Forum in Washington, D.C.
L-R: Catherine Dolsen of Synchrony and Melissa Koide of FinRegLab discuss "Expanding Access to Credit and Financial Inclusion" at the 2025 IWD Forum, examining strategies to help the nearly 50 million Americans who lack usable credit scores build stronger financial futures.
Attendees participate in an interactive scenario planning exercise at the 2025 IWD Forum, collaboratively mapping out potential futures and strategic approaches during one of the event's experiential networking activities.
Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares of Bentley University presents science-based tools for enhanced decision-making and burnout prevention during her session at the 2025 IWD Forum, sharing practical approaches to women's leadership development.
L-R: Vanessa Okwuraiwe (Edward Jones) and Shanique Streete (U.S. Chamber Foundation) discuss "Financial Solutions for Women in the Sandwich Generation" during a fireside chat at the 2025 IWD Forum, exploring strategies for women balancing caregiving responsibilities while managing careers and financial wellness.
Oliver Wyman partner and chief knowledge officer Ana Kreacic leads a session on the state of our world and why women's leadership matters.
- Global market participation is the new frontier for economic leadership. The future welcomes those who can navigate cross-border opportunities, leveraging international networks and perspectives to create resilient business models that thrive amid global complexity.
- Financial literacy represents the foundation of sustainable economic empowerment. As traditional systems evolve, those equipped with both financial knowledge and access to tools will be positioned to build intergenerational wealth and contribute to stronger economies.
- Addressing complex caregiving dynamics is critical for workforce sustainability. Organizations that recognize and develop solutions for life's competing demands will unlock untapped leadership potential and build more adaptable, innovative teams ready for tomorrow's challenges.
- Evidence-based leadership development creates competitive advantage. Understanding the why behind decision-making, resilience, and performance provides the blueprint for cultivating leadership capabilities that can transform organizations and communities.
- Strategic investment and philanthropy serve as powerful catalysts for meaningful, lasting change. By approaching giving and investment holistically and collaboratively, we can address root causes of complex challenges rather than symptoms, creating lasting impact that extends beyond individual communities.
ICYMI: Forum Highlights & Insights
On Entrepreneurship
Small businesses comprise most enterprises in the U.S., with women-owned and operated businesses representing a growing economic force. Againstthis backdrop, the forum delved into the entrepreneurial journey's various stages—from securing initial seed funding through managing sustainable growth and eventually considering exit strategies. Entrepreneurs Diana Heldfond of Parallel Learning and Shelly Lanning of Visana Health shared candid personal experiences that illuminated both the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they seized along their paths to business success.
On Supporting Women through Different Stages of Life
Women’s leadership is needed in this increasingly complex world, but support is even more crucial. A compelling conversation with Vanessa Okwuraiwe of Edward Jones, addressed the unique challenges facing the "Sandwich Generation,” balancing caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents or relatives while maintaining careers which causes an increased livelihood strain. This group includes about one-quarter of American adults who face this reality daily, compounded by strained access to childcare and opportunities for increased responsibilities related to professional development and leadership.
On the Importance of Supporting Leaders
Ana Kreacic of Oliver Wyman Group explored essential strategies for empowering women in today's complex global landscape, while Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares of Bentley University shared science-based tools for enhanced decision-making and preventing burnout that many leaders experience. Together, these experts offered practical approaches to fostering leadership development personally and across communities, along with insights on how successful mentorship and sponsorship can cultivate leadership skills throughout women's careers.
On Expanding Financial Inclusion
Financial access is a critical component of economic empowerment. Catherine Dolsen of Synchrony showcased how innovative data approaches are creating new pathways to credit access. By evaluating alternative data points beyond traditional scoring methods, financial institutions can now identify qualified individuals previously overlooked by conventional systems. These approaches have proven effective through public-private partnerships that help more Americans establish credit histories and achieve financial stability.
March 26-27, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
Join us at the U.S. Chamber headquarters and, together, let’s move Talent Forward across America.
