Our year-long Empowered Leader Program is unique in the social impact space.
We provide a wraparound experience that provides 1:1 coaching, skills development, and community for women who are solving the biggest challenges we face around the world.
In 2023 we welcomed 171 new Catalysts from 42 countries to our Empowered Leader Program.
With this new group, a total of 1,732 women from over 90 countries have participated in our program.
“Through WIA, I learned to build confidence and actively participate in high-level meetings. My coach supported me in addressing fears that held me back and helped me find new ways to communicate with the senior leadership team. The Empowered Leader Program gave me new skills and tools that make me a more confident, more authentic leader.”
Simin Wahdat | USA/Afghanistan
Senior Officer, Programs and Partnerships
Aga Khan Foundation
The Women’s Impact Alliance would not exist without the ongoing generosity of our over 200 volunteer coaches. In 2023 they continued to give our Catalysts not only their expertise but also their deep caring and support.
Our brilliant volunteers are leaders in the field of coaching, with high-level qualifications, globally recognized certifications, and years of experience.
“I volunteer my time to coach WIA Catalysts because I believe strongly in WIA's mission of supporting women who want to make a positive impact on the world. I am able to give back and support passionate individuals who are doing good through their work. It is very fulfilling for me to help Catalysts grow and improve in their leadership so that they can continue or even expand the amazing things they are already doing to create a more just and sustainable world.”
Akua Nyame-Mensah | Ghana
Certified Executive and Leadership Coach
WIA Volunteer
We are actively broadening our coaching bench to include more coaches from diverse backgrounds and regions, ensuring that our Catalysts receive support from coaches who understand their unique challenges and opportunities.
We launched our new Global Ignite Sessions, featuring a wide range of thought leaders from different regions of the world. We had the honor of hosting:
We increased our online presence to share uplifting stories of our Catalysts so more people could learn about the important work they are doing to address social, economic, and environmental issues.
With the help of Ebony Smith, a digital marketing expert, we expanded our reach to more women in social impact around the globe, resulting in increasing the number of women applying to our Empowered Leader Program.
Our inspiring and beloved founder, Jane Finette, moved from her position as Executive Director to become a WIA Board Member, where she continues to be a guiding light for the organization.
I transitioned from being the Board Chair into a new role as Executive Director, where I have the honor of continuing to serve Jane’s original vision of a world where women are empowered to solve the grand challenges of our time.
Karen Kimsey-House, long-time WIA Board Member and pioneer in the coaching industry, became our new Board Chair.
Jane, Karen, and myself have been close collaborators from the beginning of the Women’s Impact Alliance ten years ago, and continue to serve the organization together with passion and commitment.
To expand the effectiveness of our program and the reach of our community, we welcomed three new team members: Anu Ishola as Director of Operations, Brittany Lane Blitzer as Director of Strategic Development, and Charlie Friesen as Communications Coordinator.
In addition to our Empowered Leader Program, we provide coaching to organizations that work in the social impact sector. We continued our work with The Cartier Women’s Initiative, providing leadership coaching to the remarkable social entrepreneurs in their program. We also continued to support impact leaders in RippleWorks and Dimagi.
We had the opportunity to work with a new partner, Box of Crayons, who presented their innovative course, The Coaching Habit, to our community.
The Coactive Training Institute and Ensemble Capital continued to be generous partners, providing funds and resources.
July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
| Income: | Expenses: |
| Donations = $113,493 | Salaries and Taxes = $213,685 |
| Programs = $164,819 | General and Administrative = $100,551 |
| Total Revenue = $278,312 Revenue Less Expenses = $-35,924 |
Total Expense = $314,236 |
In 2024, we are embarking on an exciting journey of growth and collaboration.
With a focus on expanding our impact and reach, we are creating new partnerships with nonprofits and social impact organizations to extend the benefits of its Empowered Leader Program.
We are growing our Board to include a WIA volunteer coach and a WIA Alumna, ensuring that the voices of our entire community are heard and represented at the highest level.
2024 will see the launch of two new fundraising initiatives:
At a time when there is turmoil in the world and news that can cause despair, we at the Women’s Impact Alliance see possibility all around us.
We have the privilege of meeting and supporting remarkable women from every corner of the globe who are taking on the most intractable challenges and making real progress. They give us hope and a belief that humankind can and will create a better future.
I hope that by sharing their stories through our newsletters and social posts, you will feel and see what is possible when we empower women visionaries and change-makers.
I am so grateful to be in community with you and work with you to bring women’s voices, visions, and gifts to every important decision-making table around the world.
When women lead, the world gets better for everyone.
With gratitude,
Athena Katsaros, Executive Director of The Women’s Impact Alliance
