{"id":23,"date":"2023-02-03T00:20:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T00:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/we-empower\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2026-04-17T04:33:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:33:16","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/we-empower\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WE Empower UN SDG Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations 2026 WE Empower Global Finalists<\/a>!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Launched at the UN General Assembly in 2018 by the UN Secretary\u2011General, the President of the World Bank, and the Council of Women World Leaders, the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Empower UN SDG Challenge is the first global competition recognizing innovative women entrepreneurs advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and inspiring communities to build a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. Co\u2011Chaired by the Chief Economist of the World Bank Group; Diane von Furstenberg, Founder and Chairwoman of DVF Studio; Amanda Ellis, Senior Director at ASU\u2019s Global Futures Laboratory; and Alyse Nelson, President and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, the Challenge champions leaders whose enterprises are reshaping communities, economies, and ecosystem. Awardees are recognized for their groundbreaking work and receive capacity-building training, visibility, and access to an unparalleled global network to advance their enterprises. The program highlights and elevates the essential contributions of women entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving progress toward the SDGs and addressing the world\u2019s most urgent challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, five regional awardees will be selected to participate either in events surrounding Climate Week NYC and the 81st United Nations General Assembly, September 19\u201326, 2026 or in Geneva\u2014the UN\u2019s second headquarters\u2014during the week of June 14\u201320 due to visa constraints. Awardees will take part in a high-impact agenda featuring pitch workshops, tailored trainings from leading partners, and curated networking with global leaders in business, policy, and philanthropy. The week will conclude with a dynamic pitch competition where awardees present their enterprises to a distinguished panel of judges for a chance to win grant funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WE Empower Challenge is co-convened by ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and Vital Voices Global Partnership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Monika Shukla<\/a><\/strong> (India)
CEO and Co-Founder, Humble Bee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jessica Jacob<\/a><\/strong> (Panama)
Founder & CEO, SURECO & Partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lynn Malkawi<\/strong><\/a> (Jordan)
Founder & Director, Wasel for Awareness & Education<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gu\u00f0n\u00fd Nielsen<\/a><\/strong> (Iceland)
Founder and CEO, Katla Carbon<\/a> (formerly SoGreen)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Juveline Ngum<\/a><\/strong> (Senegal)
Founder & CEO, BleagLee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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