Geneva, 16 July 2020: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is pleased to announce the fourth edition of the Leading Women Awards (LWA), designed to recognize outstanding female leaders and to showcase their work in sustainability towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In past years, the Awards have been limited to nominations from WBCSD member companies. However, in recognition of the special circumstances of 2020, this year WBCSD is opening a special category to businesses worldwide, to recognize women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis.
The two categories for 2020 are:
- Excellence – Recognizing a female leader for her sustained and outstanding contribution to advancing sustainability within a WBCSD member company. This nomination category is suitable for women who are inspirational role models with more than 15 years of experience.
- Exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis - Recognizing women from businesses all over the world who have been leading with passion and impact during the COVID-19 crisis.
Companies are encouraged to submit their nominations by 30 September 2020.
The Leading Women Awards this year are proudly sponsored by GRIFFITH FOODS.
In the Excellence category, one award will be given. The woman selected for this award will serve as a special champion and role model for participants, becoming the 2021 WBCSD LEAP project Ambassador.
In the Exemplary Leadership category, four awards will be given. Each recipient will receive a bursary for the 2021 LEAP project covering all of their tuition expenses.
LEAP is an executive program for women that strives to build the diverse and inclusive leadership that is needed to sustainably transform the systems that underpin our world. It aims to help women reach senior positions in their companies and ensure that sustainability is embedded in their leadership and included in their company strategy.
Companies participate by nominating a senior female manager for the program, along with a mentor at the highest executive level (such as CEO, CFO, etc.) who will cross-mentor a female participant from another company.
All participants take part in a year-long training program that includes three on-location weeks in person at Yale University (USA), ESADE in Madrid (Spain) and a week at the annual WBCSD Council Meeting venue (which changes every year).
We look forward to receiving nominations and to celebrating the leadership of talented women around the world.
