Words by Smiley Team
From girls’ education to promoting equality and diversity in business, women entrepreneurs are diligently working to support people and the environment around the world. In no particular order, here is our top pick of some of the female changemakers driving positive change through business.
Sofia Breitholtz
With a background as an advisor for community engagement at Ben & Jerry’s, Sofia Breitholtz became the CEO of Reach for Change in 2017. The social enterprise operates in 18 different countries, supporting social entrepreneurs who work with disadvantaged young people and children. Since its creation in 2010 it has assisted over 4.3 million children around the world.
Marta Lozano Molano
Marta Lozano Molano made the extraordinary decision to drop a successful career in music in London, to dedicate her life to strengthening communities in her community-of-origin. As the president of non-profit cooperative Wazo Coop, she tackles social and economic inequality in rural Extremadura, South West Spain.
Furkan Karayel
Furkan Karayel is a leading expert on equality and diversity who lectures at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. After 10 years working for various tech giants she founded Diversein.com, a social enterprise to advise corporations on how to create happier, healthier, more diverse and sustainable workplaces.
Nohelia Rambal
Driving forward ethical and sustainable business, Nohelia Rambal is the CEO and founder of goodfind.io, a platform for affordable products that support people and the planet. From sustainable fashion to zero waste food, it is a good source of eco-conscious items.
Chloé Pahud
Passionate about empowering civil society, Chloé Pahud is the CEO and co-founder of Civocracy. Working with European governments, international organisations and, most importantly, ordinary people, Chloé promotes local decision making to put power in the hands of communities.
Maymounati Moussa Ahamadi
As director of organisation CRESS, Maymounati Moussa Ahamadi promotes democracy, solidarity and development in the local economy of the French overseas territory, Mayotte.
Katherine Milligan
Speaker and coach Katherine Milligan directs The Collective Change Lab, an organisation that puts empathy at the heart of its work to support people and the planet. They conduct research, spark collaborations and train leaders to drive positive social change through working collectively.
Nargiz Askarova
Another to watch is Nargiz Askarova is the founder and CEO of newHorizons, a social enterprise offering empowerment programmes and education to help young women and girls fulfill their potential.
Christina Moreno
Inspired by her favourite childhood book, The Lorax by Dr Seuss, Christina Moreno follows the author’s message: “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” On this premise she founded She Matters, an organisation which supports individuals and businesses to improve diversity across various service industries.
Willemijn Verloop
Founder and partner of Rubio Impact Ventures, Willemijn Verloop leads investment in entrepreneurs. They scout changemakers developing sustainable solutions to some of society’s biggest problems and driving systemic change.
Caroline Casey
Driving progress and inclusivity in the business world, Caroline Casey founded The Valuable 500, a network of top companies promoting opportunities for disabled people in the workplace. She is also a TED speaker, Ashoka Fellow, Eisenhower Fellow, a past advisor for the Clinton Global Initiative, a One Young World Counsellor and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
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