The G100 Business Networking Wing Conference 2024, held in the state of California, United States on October 9-10, 2024, brought together over 100 participants from the United States, Canada, United Mexican States and across Latin America. Co-organized by CANADEM USA, the event focused on empowering women in business, fostering leadership, and promoting collaboration among women leaders from various sectors.

 

The forum served as a dynamic platform for women to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for growth. Key discussions centered around breaking barriers, promoting peace through trade, and building sustainable, responsible leadership for the future.

 

During her address, California’s G100 Business Networking Wing State Chair, Sonia Morffi, highlighted the importance of global networks in sharing knowledge, resources, and support systems for women, pointing out that women are a major contributing factor in the golden state of California, the 5th largest economy in the world. 

 

The forum addressed the urgent need to continue to dismantle barriers to women’s economic participation and leadership. Discussions also focused on ensuring women’s rights go beyond legal frameworks to actual lived experiences and opportunities.

 

Throughout the event, participants reaffirmed the importance of empowering women in business to drive long-lasting, positive change. A major concern expressed was the tendency of crisis management to overshadow growth, development, and progress. In a divided world, the forum participants underscored the existential need for responsible leadership and thorough commitment to human rights. 

 

 

• Enhancing Women’s Economic Participation: Creating policies and programs to support women’s entry into and advancement in the workforce, particularly in leadership roles.

 

• Promoting Gender Equality in STEM: Encouraging women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through scholarships, mentorship, and awareness campaigns.

 

• Sustainability in Business: Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting into business practices to ensure sustainable growth and corporate responsibility.

 

• Networking and Collaboration: Fostering opportunities for women to network, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions.

 

The G100 Business Networking Wing Conference 2024 was officially opened by Sonia Morffi, California’s G100 Business Networking Wing State Chair. The event featured prominent figures, including Mark Feierstein, senior advisor for the Albright Stonebridge Group, former director of USAID and special advisor for former President Barack Obama and Dr. Abraham Otoniel Frayre Garcia, Investment Advisor for the Business Coordinating Council of Mexico and President of the National Organization of Industry and Pharmaceutical of Cannabis,

were among the distinguished speakers. These high-level participants, along with other influential men and women leaders from government, business, and civil society, underscored the significance of the event.

The opening session set the tone for the event, emphasizing the critical role of women in economic participation and leadership, and laying the groundwork for the discussions and panel sessions that followed.

 

Panel 1: Global Influencers 

This panel focused on strategies for overcoming gender barriers in the world of trade and diplomacy. Highlights included:

• Personal Journeys: Panelists shared stories of resilience and triumph as they navigated obstacles to reach leadership positions.

• Mentorship Programs: The panel emphasized the role of mentorship in guiding and supporting women throughout their careers.

• Inclusive Policies: Discussions covered policies promoting gender equality, such as flexible working arrangements and equal pay initiatives.

• Networking and Community Support: Participants highlighted the importance of building strong support networks for women in business.

• Future Trends: The evolving business landscape, digital transformation, and sustainability were recognized as areas offering new leadership opportunities for women.

Panel 2: Community Builders

This session explored the importance of women in community development. Topics included:

• Empowering Women in the Community: Encouraging women to participate from across all sectors like government, academia, civic, industry, cultural, scientific, technological 

• Community Advocacy—GenderResponsive Policies: Advocating for policies that promote women’s leadership in community decision-making.

• Education and Training: Providing women with the skills and education needed for leadership roles in decision-making.

• Community Engagement: Highlighting the role of women at the local level in leading community projects.

• Role Models and Mentorship: Featuring successful women across all sectors and offering mentorship opportunities.

Panel 3: Diplomacy

This panel addressed the critical need for access to finance and networking opportunities to empower women entrepreneurs. It also addressed the importance of diplomacy through the exploring of peace through trade. Key points included:

• Access to Finance: Emphasizing the importance of financial resources, such as loans, grants, and investments, for women to start and grow their businesses.

• Networking: Recognizing the power of networking to create business opportunities and foster collaboration.

• Mentorship: The panel discussed how mentorship can help women navigate business and finance challenges.

• Policy Recommendations: Proposed policies included government-backed funding programs and networking events to support women’s access to finance while promoting peace and economic prosperity. 

The forum concluded with a strong call for collective action to advance diplomacy, trade and sustainable development. Promoting women’s active participation in the economy and leadership roles, supporting sustainability initiatives, and fostering collaboration among women leaders were all highlighted as key priorities for the future.The G100 Business Networking Wing Conference 2024 left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of women’s leadership in driving economic progress and sustainability for generations to come.