In a commitment to sustainable development, the Women Empowerment Council (WEC) convened its Bi-Annual Executive Meeting on November 2 with 18 executive representatives from industry ConocoPhillips, DOW, ExxonMobil, FedEx, Henkel, HPE, Merck, and Wilmerhale.
The collective impact of WEC and its member companies in advancing gender equality this year laid the foundation for strategic planning in the upcoming year. From the 350+ attendance at the WE Conference and Awards in September to the joint member-hosted events and executive and women leadership roundtables as well as the pilot cross-company WIN (women inclusion network), the member companies all expressed value-add from the WEC programs, projects and initiatives.
Michael Zhu, Global VP of HPE, acknowledged the transformative power of WEC in broadening perspectives and fostering connections across diverse sectors. He remarked, “WEC provides an invaluable platform for individuals in different sectors to connect and share diverse perspectives. By supporting companies dedicated to enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we extend our reach beyond immediate circles, creating a profound impact on the broader community.”
Looking forward, WEC and its members had robust and meaningful discussions on amplifying the influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workshops and brainstormed on the focus for the 2024 Women Empowerment Forum to be held in Shanghai for the first time and the expansion of projects like Girls in STEMM to local schools, and new initiatives, e.g. WEC Speakers Bureau.
Following the executive meeting, the WEC in partnership with the US Embassy hosted a panel discussion on the Women’s wellness and mental health and reception to help empower women and raise awareness of the unique challenges for women in this area.
Together with the WEC member companies and our strategic partners, we strive towards a future where gender equality and sustainable development converge, leaving a lasting impact on businesses in China and beyond.