What We Do

The Women of the Future (WOF) programme is a portfolio of events and projects that support and celebrate the successes of women, through the WOF Awards, WOF Summit, WOF Ambassadors and WOF Network. WOF was founded in 2006 by Pinky Lilani CBE DL, HRH The Countess of Wessex is our Global Ambassador and Cherie Blair CBE QC is Awards Patron. WOF is a movement focused on collaboration in the workplace, galvanising a community of influential women to work together as a new generation of talent across business, media, culture and public service. 2021 marks the 16th year of Women of the Future.

Pinky Lilani CBE DL, Our Founder & Chairman

Pinky Lilani CBE DL is an internationally acclaimed champion for women. She is the force behind the Women of the Future Programme, a portfolio of global events and networks that for over 20 years have supported the female leadership pipeline. She is also the Founder of the 50 Leading Lights Campaign both in the UK and Southeast Asia, celebrating phenomenal, kind leaders and radically shifting the global leadership conversation. Pinky is a Fellow of the GSA and an Associate Fellow of Saïd Business School. She is an Ambassador for the Tiffany Circle of the Red Cross and serves on the board of trustees of the Royal Commonwealth Society. 

Our Events & Initiatives

 

WOF AP logo_2015 Website

Women of The Future Ambassadors Programme

The WOF Ambassadors Programme connects our alumni and supporters with school sixth-formers to provide students with mentors and role models and so strengthening the pipeline of talent among Britain’s younger women. The programme hosts an annual reception, connecting 100 successful women with 100 sixth form students. Throughout the year, our Ambassadors also devote time to inspiring the next generation, through school visits, taking part in careers days, and other school events.

Women of The Future Awards

The WOF Awards are a platform for successful young women in Britain, open to all women aged 35 and under. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of the UK’s pipeline of female talent. Now in their sixteenth year, the awards continue to unearth the inspirational stars of tomorrow across diverse sectors. Nominations for the awards are now open, we hope you will look to share your inspirational stories with us.

Network Women of the Future

Women of The Future Network

The WOF Network is an active network of high achieving women. Based within the wider WOF Programme, the Network allows the WOF community to have a space to come together, share experiences and build their own networks. Annually we organise a series of events for the network – these vary from intimate bespoke business lunches to large all-member drinks receptions. Membership is by invitation only.


Women of The Future Summit

The Summit is a global forum for leaders, assembling a unique community of dynamic, current and future leaders. Our mission is to address and discuss key issues faced today and to consider how progress can be made. At our Summit we do so through the lens of a new generation of leaders, exploring how shifts in culture and leadership style reflect global challenges in a different light and thereby creating new ideas and opportunities. It is a day of connections, inspiration and insights.


Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia

The Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia, now in their fourth year, aim to build a platform to showcase regional emerging leaders, who are tomorrow’s game-changers, disrupting stereotypes and driving positive impactful change. This initiative is an integral part of our vision to build a global, collaborative network of women. Nominations are open to all women aged 35 and under, who are citizens and residents of the 11 countries in the Southeast Asia region.


Kindness Campaign

Each year this campaign showcases 50 leaders building a new status quo and impacting others through kindness. We share their stories and leadership styles, and the effect they have on their organisations and industries. We want their stories to inspire others, and to help to recast the perceptions of ‘strong’ leadership. We want kindness to be seen as a strength in leadership, as a quality and a currency that empowers change. Nominations for this year’s listing open in April and the 50 Leading Lights 2021 will be announced on World Kindness Day, November 13.


Kindness Southeast Asia

Recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society in Southeast Asia.

Our Events in Action

WOF Awards

The Awards, now in their 16th year, celebrate the most innovative, determined and talent young women from every corner of the UK and in every field.  From media to science, from sport to mentorship, the awards showcase this country’s trail-blazers. Learn more about their stories and watch the video!

WOF Summit

The agenda for the 2020 Summit was “The era of radical”. Speakers included Jess Phillips, Member of Parliament, Birmingham Yardley, Misan Harriman, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, What We Seee, Sir John Sawers, Executive Chairman, Newbridge Advisory & Former Head of MI6,  Amanda Blanc, CEO, Aviva, Lavinya Stennett, The Black Curriculum, Sindhu Vee, Comedian, Writer, Actor, Tom Fletcher CMG, Principal of Hertford College, University of Oxford, Nitin Paranjpe, Chief Operating Officer, Julie Brown, COO, Burberry.  460 delegates attended globally, with representatives from 57 different countries.

WOF Awards Southeast Asia

The awards, now in their fourth year, aim to build a platform to showcase regional emerging leaders, who are tomorrow’s game-changers, disrupting stereotypes and driving positive impactful change. Watch the highlights from the 2019 video!

WOF Ambassadors Reception

Students are invited to a series of networking, leadership and motivational talks followed by networking. 100 of our Ambassadors join us to share their stories with the students and highlight to them the many career opportunities open to them.