2018-2019 BOARD MEMBERS
United States
Ruth A. Davis
IWEC Chairperson
Ambassador (Ret.)
U.S. Department of State
Washington D.C., United States
Ruth A. Davis is an internationalist who retired from the U.S. Department of State with the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the Foreign Service of the United States. Her assignments in the U.S. Department of State include Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources (2001-2003), Director of the Foreign Service Institute (1997-2001), Ambassador to the Republic of Benin (1992-1995), and U.S. Consul General in Barcelona, Spain (1987-1991). She was also posted in Kinshasa, Nairobi, Tokyo and Naples as a Consular Officer. Ambassador Davis was detailed to Howard University in Washington, DC as Distinguished Advisor for International Affairs and she served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor in the Bureau of African Affairs from 2005-2008.
She has received two Presidential Distinguished Service Awards, the Arnold L. Raphel Memorial Award for mentoring, the 2005 Department of State Equal Opportunity Award, the Secretary’s Distinguished Award conferred by Colin L. Powell, and the International Career Advancement Program’s Award for visionary leadership and fostering diversity within foreign affairs. In 2015 she was named by the Economist Magazine as one of the ‘Top Diversity Figures in Public life’ and in 2016 she received the American Foreign Service Association’s Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy and the Link’s Co Founder Award for International Service.
Ambassador Davis earned an MSW from the University of California at Berkeley. Her alma mater, Spelman College, and Middlebury College conferred honorary LL.D degrees on her. She has served as President of the Thursday Luncheon Group (TLG); and is presently Chair of the International Mission of Mercy USA; Chairperson of the Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Selection Committee; and Vice President of the Association of Black American Ambassadors (ABAA). She is on the Board of the American Academy of Diplomacy; the Board of the Defense Language Institute; Vice President of the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs; a member of The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training; and is Chair of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC).
United States
Carmen Castillo
IWEC Vice-Chair
President & CEO
SDI International
Fort Lauderdale, United States
Carmen Castillo is the President and CEO of SDI International Corp. (SDI), one of the world’s largest Hispanic- and Woman-owned companies in the procurement industry, with a portfolio of managed spend of over $3B. The company, which she founded in Florida in 1992, provides its clients with fully
scalable global indirect procurement solutions centered for the tail end of the supply chain. These programs are designed to manage large numbers of
small suppliers handling non-critical/non-catalogue transactions that are often untracked, resulting in inefficiencies in process times, compliance and costs.
“We make ourselves indispensable to our clients by building globally and acting locally,” Carmen states emphatically. Her mantra is evident in SDI’s global footprint, which includes Centers of Excellence in the U.S., Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, India, Bratislava, Mexico, Poland, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The company is opening operations in Russia and Singapore later this year, and soon in the UAE. SDI has distinguished itself as a provider of robust process efficiencies, driving repeatable hard cost savings through cutting-edge technology, risk assessment, quality policies and a dedicated team, fostering longstanding business relationships with its Fortune 500 customers.
Carmen is a staunch proponent of paying it forward and corporate social responsibility. As a business leader, Carmen takes on 8-10 mentees per year, among them women entrepreneurs (many of them Hispanic), to share her insights and experience, with special focus on hiring, retention, business development and international expansion. More importantly, Carmen facilitates networking opportunities and introductions between her mentees and her extensive network of corporate contacts and peers.
From the advocacy perspective, Carmen acts as Chairwoman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). She is also Vice Chair of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC), and she also collaborates with the boards of many other Minority- and Woman-owned business organizations. Under her leadership, SDI holds an international Memo of Undertaking to cross-collaborate with the International Trade Centre, and participates in the UN Global Compact, who featured Carmen in their 2016 global Study of CEOs committed to sustainable development goals. Carmen has also accumulated
several industry awards throughout the years, including an induction to the 2016 WBE Hall of Fame.
Spain
Miquel Valls
IWEC President
President
Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation
Barcelona, Spain
Miquel Valls Maseda is the President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, the second largest chamber in Spain with regards to income and members (350,000 companies). He has been with the chamber since 1996 and became its president in 2002. Prior to his work at the chamber, he was involved in the family group of companies, Valls, which is operating in the metallurgical sector. He then became the CEO of Commercial DVP (after Acciai Speciali Terni), also involved in the same sector.
In addition, he is president of the General Council of Catalan Chambers of Commerce (CGCC); Vice President of the Chamber of Spain; Vice President of the Association of Mediterranean Chambers (ASCAME); Vice President of Eurochambres; President of the Spanish Commmitte of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Member of the Higher Council of the World Chamber Federation, President of BCD (Barcelona Centre de Disseny); Vice President of Fira de Barcelona’s General Council, President of Mutual Midat Cyclops; Member of the Board of Directors of SABA (Sociedad de Aparcamientos de Barcelona); Member of the Board of Directors of VidaCaixa.
United States
Sunita Bajaj
IWEC Vice-President & Treasurer
Managing Partner
Fortis Lux Financial
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
New York, United States
Sunita Bajaj, a professional in the financial services industry, works to develop sophisticated wealth management retirement and estate planning strategies for high net-worth individuals, families and business owners. She is a member of various industry organizations, including the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Financial Planning Association, FPA and is registered with the FINRA.
As Managing Director at her firm in New York, she is responsible for its overall growth by creating and implementing various programs and strategies to develop multicultural and diverse markets (especially Women, Asian, Hispanics and African-Americans). She has been actively involved in various initiatives and projects related to women entrepreneurship and community development. Sunita serves on the Board of Directors and is the Treasurer for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. She is the NYC Co-Chair of IWEC and VP Treasurer of the organization as well. She also served as the Treasurer of non-profit New York women’s Agenda from 2004 -2009.
Spain
Adela Subirana
IWEC Vice-President
Barcelona Chamber of Commerce
Barcelona, Spain
Ms. Subirana was a member of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona for more than 15 years and since 2007, she servers as the Commissioner of the Presidency for Institutional Activities. Prior to joining the Chamber, she was a Member of the Board of OSHSA – GUINOVART, a company in the construction sector and SUFISA which went on to merge with Sacyr.
Taking an active role in local and global fundraising efforts, she served as President of the private foundation “Grup Set” (Businesswomen) from 1989 to 2014, was a Member of the Board of the “Friends of Liceo Opera House,” and a Member of the Board of the Palau de la Música Catalana. Since 2015, Ms. Subirana is the Vice President of the IWEC Foundation She received the “Medalla President Macià” of the Generalitat of Catalunya for her outstanding work. And, in 2006, the Italian government awarded her the “Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta’ Italiana.” Ms. Subirana holds a degree in Philosophy and Humanities from the University of Barcelona as well as the “Maîtrisse et Licenses et Arts” from Sorbonne IV Université.
United States
Nancy Ploeger
IWEC Executive Director & Secretary
Co-Founder
IWEC Foundation
New York, United States
Nancy Ploeger is one of IWEC’s co-founders, and until Feb. 2016, she was the President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC), serving for 21 years. During her tenure at the MCC, Ms. Ploeger led advocacy efforts for Small and Medium Business Enterprises (SMEs) on issues ranging from health insurance, Minority- and Woman-owned certification, doing business with the public sector and international business expansion for small businesses. She led the Chamber to develop robust economic development initiatives that enabled it, and its members, to create a network of reciprocal collaboration, trade, empowerment and partnerships with organizations, associations and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Her legacy transformed the Chamber from a local advocate for small business to a bridge to global trade and economic expansion.
Among her accolades are being appointed by Major Bloomberg to serve on New York City’s Minority Women’s Business Enterprise’s (MWBE) Advisory Board, appointment to a board seat on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington DC, appointment to serve on the the New York District Export Council, serving as Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce Alliance of New York State. She is currently sitting on the Steering Committee of the New York District Export Council’s World Trade Week and is also is on the Advisory Committee for Health Advocates for Older People in Manhattan. Nancy was heavily involved in the community outreach during the construction of the historic 2nd Avenue Subway-a ten-year-process-in coordination with the business community, the MTA and the myriad number of New York City Departments involved in the building of the subway. She has won numerous awards over the years for her dedication and achievements on behalf of both the business community and public service.
Nigeria
Ibukun Awosika
IWEC Board Member
Chairwoman
First Bank of Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria
Ibukun Awosika is the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand. She is also the founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group. The companies in the group include: The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart, TCC Security Systems and Cubes and Boxes Limited. These companies are involved in manufacturing, retail and bank-way security systems services. Ibukun chairs a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are GEMS Africa, House of Tara International and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), a facility which she promotes to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria.
She sits on the boards of Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Digital Jewel Limited and Convention on Business Integrity (CBI). She was Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited. She also served on the board of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Ibukun is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria; an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and China European International Business School (CEIBS).
Due to her interest in social issues, including women-related topics, Ibukun is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business, Management and Public Service (WIMBIZ). An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun, through this faith-based organization, works with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives with the provision of medical, educational, and other supplies. As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, Aspen Global Leadership Network, Institute of Directors and Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Ibukun aspires to use her opportunities in life to further the greatness of her dear country by raising entrepreneurs to create jobs for the large unemployed youthful population. She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), served on National Job Creation Committee (NJCC), and sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain.
Ibukun is an award-winning entrepreneur and the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award as a nominee of the US Department of State in 2008. In her free time, she loves to watch investigative and legal series. She is happily married to Abiodun Awosika and they are blessed with three wonderful sons.
Perú
Gabriela Fiorini
IWEC Board Member
President
Restaurantes Punta Sal
Lima Chamber of Commerce
Lima, Perú
Gabriela Fiorini serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the six restaurants Punta Sal, which are specialized in innovative Peruvian seafood cuisine. Punta Sal recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as one of the most important and renowned restaurants in Perú. In addition to the business, Mrs. Fiorini is a member of the Executive Committee and Director of the Lima Chamber of Commerce as well as President of its Committee of Tourism. She is also one of the members of The Executive Committee of the Lima Chamber of Commerce Commission of Social Responsibility and of the Commission of Woman´s Development.
United States
Fernando Hernandez
IWEC Board Member
Director Supplier Diversity & Sustainability
Microsoft U.S.
Redmond (WA), United States
Mr. Hernandez serves as Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Director for Microsoft Corporation. In this capacity, he drives Microsoft’s strategies to achieve supplier diversity sustainability & objectives. He is responsible for Microsoft’s $2.8 Billion annual Supplier Diversity initiative.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mr. Hernandez served as Senior Vice President of Multicultural Marketing Strategy for Washington Mutual Bank where he established, developed, and implemented comprehensive multicultural marketing initiatives. He formerly served as Executive Director of Multicultural Marketing with AT&T. Mr. Hernandez was the first to establish and implement multicultural business to business and consumer marketing (Hispanic, African-American, and Asian) at AT&T in 1991. This resulted in the creation of a $3 billion market segment.
Mr. Hernandez has received many awards including NMSDC Leadership Award, Island Medal of Honor recipient and Hispanic Magazine 100 most influential Hispanics in America. The American Marketing Association recognized him for his leadership in multicultural marketing.
Jordan
HRH Princess Noor Asem of Jordan
IWEC Board Member
Consultant
IDG
Amman, Jordan
HRH Princess Noor Asem of Jordan joined IDG in 2015 as a consultant for the Middle East. Her responsibilities are to help build a world-class regional brand synonymous with leadership development programs that achieve sustainable behavioural change. Specifically, HRH Princess Noor Asem engages in strategic business development, as well as program design and facilitation. She is an executive and certified coach with The Coaching Training Institute (CTI), and has ample experience facilitating and designing programs on self-development and youth empowerment.
HRH Princess Noor Asem is well travelled; she was born in Jordan, raised in Spain, and completed her education in the United States, which helped her embody a multi-cultural perspective. She has a degree in Political Communication and a Master’s degree in Positive Leadership and Strategy from the IE Business School in Madrid. HRH Princess Noor Asem speaks five languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Farsi.
An entrepreneur and a pioneer in positive leadership in the Middle East, she is an active member in several organizations such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA) and the Institute of Coaching, an affiliate of McLean Hospital.
India
Mukta Jain
IWEC Board Member
Partner
OPJK Paper Company
Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry
New Delhi, India
Ms. Jain is one of the IWEC Founders through the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Federation Ladies Organization in 2007. She was the President of FICCI_FLO from 2006 to 2007. She is a partner in OPJK Paper Company, a family-run enterprise tracing its roots back over 100 years. The company has firmly established itself as a trusted partner to its clients and suppliers and is one of India’s leading paper merchants.
In the past, she also worked in a lifestyle product company and for a marketing platform company focused on “Mompreneurs.” Currently, Ms. Jain is the Chairperson of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Women’s Enterprise Council.
Turkey
Hatice Güner Kal
IWEC Board Member
CEO
Ilka Information Technologies
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
Istanbul, Turkey
Hatice Güner Kal is the CEO at 1 Adim Silikon VadisiEgitimveDanismanlik Ltd. She is also the Managing Director of Baltürk Electronic Inc, a forerunner in the telecommunications industry for more than 21 years. Furthermore, she is a Member of the Baltaş Board of Directors, a family-owned corporation involved in yarn manufacture, construction, and import/export.
Her latest enterprise, Turkish Angels’ Delight, introduces uniquely presented, organic Turkish delights to a worldwide audience. Additionally, she is a valuable member of The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the President of the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board at the city of Istanbul as well as the Marmara region. Mrs. Kal strongly encourages entrepreneurial leadership among women, spreading her message through conferences both in Turkey and abroad, including countries such as India and Syria.
Sweden
Charlotte Kalin
IWEC Board Member
Co-Founder & CEO
Chamber Trade Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Charlotte Kalin is the CEO and one of the co-founders of Chamber Trade Sweden (CTS), a non-profit international business platform for the Swedish chambers and other business organisations. Since 2012, CTS has run projects strengthening the private sector—especially women’s economic empowerment, in Africa, Iraq, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Charlotte has almost 25 years of international experience in trade and competitiveness issues at different business and government organisations. She has been the head of international and EU issues at several business organisations, including the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (2008-2011) and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (1997-2007).
She served as the EU Director for the Transatlantic Business Dialogue 2000-2002, facilitating transatlantic trade and investment. Charlotte holds a degree in business administration, economics and political science from Uppsala University, Sweden, (1990). She studied international relations and economic development at the University of Minnesota and was a scholar with the US State Department’s International Leadership Program on Trade and Economic Development.
Spain
Regina Llopis
IWEC Board Member
Co-Founder & CEO
Group AIA
Barcelona, Spain
Dr. Regina Llopis, UC Berkeley Math Ph.D., has been the Co-Founder, Investor, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aplicaciones en Informática Avanzada, S.L. since 1988 and EleQuant, Inc. since 2001.
She and her husband started the company with a dream to transfer basic science into the industry. Currently, she leads the company’s intra/entrepreneurship initiatives and develops strategy and expansion of all group technology-driven companies in software and engineering, finding solutions in the fields of energy, banking, telecom, health and music.
Clients include 25 of the Forbes 2000 company list. Products they have developed include solutions adopted by NASA. The vision of the company is to become leaders in basic science transfer to industry, and building algorithms for a better world, converting big data analytics into the change of paradigm from causality to correlations
India
Neena Malhotra
IWEC Board Member
FICCI-FLO
New Delhi, India
Neena is the proprietor of Alert Card Company. She designed and developed a unique micro processed “Alert Card” for ready reference in case of a medical emergency. This wallet sized card provides people with health profiles in the palm of their hand. The company is operating on behalf of several hospitals and individuals within the country and abroad.
She has worked relentlessly for the integration of women into main stream development processes and is particularly interested in the upliftment of the visually challenged – both young and adults with the prime objective of educating and training them and to empower them with life skills so that they live their lives with dignity. Neena is the Vice President of the National Association for the Blind.
Neena has led several organizations with distinction. Among them are: Director on the Board of State Bank of Patiala; SME Advisor to Small Industries Development Bank of India; President Delhi Management Association; President FICCI/FLO; Indian Chair of International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) She is also involved in the Womens Economic Forum and has been conferred with distinguished awards and recognitions – both National & International for her achievements.
South Africa
Janine Myburgh
IWEC Board Member
Founder
Myburgh Attorneys Incorporated
Cape Chamber of Commerce
Cape Town, South Africa
Janine has been practicing as an attorney for a cumulative period of 20 years. She was admitted as an attorney in 1996, after completing her two year articles at Malcolm Roup and Associates Attorneys. After a brief stint at the Road Accident Fund (in 1996), she was employed as a Professional Assistant at the respective firms of Attorneys, Pincus Matz Marquard Hugo Hamman (1996 to 1997) and Steyl Incorporated Attorneys (1997 to 1999) she commenced to practice for her own account, under the name and style of Myburgh & Associates Attorneys in 1999 (Myburgh & Associates was formally registered as Myburgh Attorneys Incorporated on 01 March 2013).
Since 1999, Janine has built up a substantial client base locally, nationally as well as internationally. The majority of her practice is litigation based, but she has also diversified her practice into mediation and facilitation.
She is very involved in her community, organized business, the legal profession and civil society, which is noted by the numerous leadership positions she has held or still holds on the boards of several community and professional institutions. Janine has been the president and chairperson of the board of the Cape Chamber of Commerce since 2012 and was the first female president elected in the chamber’s 212 year history.
Spain
Telma Ortiz
IWEC Board Member
CEIBS
Barcelona, Spain
Bio forthcoming.
Spain
María Puig
IWEC Board Member
Director of Industry Meetings
IESE Business School
Barcelona, Spain
María is a general manager with 30 years of experience in business development and project management in the executive education industry and in consultancy. She started her professional career at Andersen Consulting in the Financial Services Industry reaching Managing Director responsibilities. She joined IESE two decades ago to serve as Director of the Alumni Association and later as Executive Director of the Global Executive MBA Program. She is currently enjoying her role as Director of Industry Meetings, where she gathers academic and business experts in strategic sectors around conferences, summits and publications.
María has combined her work at IESE with other responsibilities in Institutions related to Advancement, like CASE, where she served in the Board of trustees; and in initiatives related to Women Entrepreneurs, like the IWEC Initiative, which she has supported since its early years, and the Women-in-Business Committee of the AmCham in Spain. She is also involved in the “Women Angels for Entrepreneurs” group at IESE.
IESE is the graduate business school of the University of Navarra, and has been at the forefront of management education, developing and inspiring business leaders who strive to make a deep, positive and lasting impact on the people, companies and society they serve. IESE offers a portfolio of MBA and executive programs in their campuses in Barcelona, New York, Sao Paolo, Munich and Madrid. With more than 45,000 alumni from 100+ countries and faculty representing 30+ nations, IESE develops executives from around the world. IESE has strong partnership with over 22 leading business schools around the world and it develops programs in conjunction with institutions such as Harvard Business School or Wharton, among others. IESE has been ranked the #1 business school in the world in Executive Education by Financial Times in 2016, 2017 and 2018. IESE Business School is committed to the executive development of women around the world by promoting their enrollment in IESE´s executive programs, a scholarship for Women in Leadership and publishing cutting-edge research on gender balance at work.
Spain
Anna Quiros
IWEC Board Member
Director RRLL
CaixaBank
Barcelona, Spain
Bio forthcoming.
United States
Michele Ruiz
IWEC Board Member
President & CEO
Ruiz Strategies
Los Angeles, United States
Ms. Ruiz is the President and CEO of Ruiz Strategies, a strategic communications firm that develops and executes transformational communications and content marketing strategies for world-class companies, professional services firms, and government entities leveraging the power of social media, new media, traditional media and virtual technologies.
Previously, Michele founded SaberHacer.com, a bilingual expert based “how-to” educational broadband site for Hispanics in the U.S. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she enjoyed a long career as a TV journalist, receiving 16 Emmy nominations, 5 Emmy awards, 4 Golden Mikes and LA Press Club Awards.
Furthermore, her work as a board member of Women Impacting Public Policy and the Association of Transformational Leaders has left a legacy of mentorship and advocacy not only for women-owned business, but for Hispanic entrepreneurship. Ms. Ruiz is also the author of a best-selling book, “Content Marketing for Lawyers” and a professional speaker.
Australia
Diane Tompson
IWEC Board Member
Founding Director of the Board
The Powercom Group
Co-Owner
Novaris Technologies
Tasmania, Australia
Diane is the co-owner of four companies working under the banner of the parent company, The Powercom Group, based in Tasmania. She is a founding director of the Board of The Powercom Group and is co-owner of Novaris Technologies Malaysia. Diane is the immediate past National President of Women Chiefs of Enterprises (International) Pty Ltd. and a Commissioner for the Pacific and Asian regions for FCEM (Les Femmes Chiefs D’Entreprise Mondial). In addition, she is a member of the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council, the CSIRO Niche Manufacturing Flagship Advisory Committee and the Tasmanian Council of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Diane is also the Tasmanian President of Family Business Australia and a member of the National Board of FBA. Furthermore, she serves as the President of the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music Alumni. In 2005, she received the honour of being acknowledged as Tasmania’s Telstra Business Woman of the Year and was named number 22 by BRW for Australian Entrepreneurial Women in 2006. In 2009, Diane became the first woman to receive the Gold Medal Award presented to her by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.