Gwen K. Young

Gwen K. Young is the CEO of the Women Business Collaborative. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University and former Director of the Global Women’s Leadership Initiative at the Wilson Center. She is an Advisor to Concordia. Ms. Young has worked across the globe to promote economic development, good governance and peace. She has developed strategy, programming and advocacy in the areas of humanitarian policy, international affairs and international development. This includes developing public private partnerships focused on public health, agriculture, gender equality, and access to finance. Further, Ms. Young has advocated for and published on international criminal law and designed SGBV guidelines. As an attorney, Ms. Young has worked as a professional advocate for women and human rights in corporate law settings, with the ICTY and the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. Her career has encompassed a comprehensive array of international organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Medecins Sans Frontieres, International Rescue Committee, and the Harvard Institute for International Development. An alumna of Smith College, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of California Davis, School of Law, Ms. Young has pursued a career of international public service focused on humanitarian relief, international development, and human rights starting with gender equality and equity.

BLOGS

“The Women CEOs in America 2025 report reinforces a simple but urgent truth that by investing in women’s pathways — whether through sports, leadership development, or equitable pipelines — we strengthen business performance, deepen social trust, and unlock a future where women lead across industries. The findings from WBC’s report are not just a snapshot of where we are — they are a call to action for where we must go.” -Gwen Young

Women CEOs Matter—and What the 2025 Women CEOs in America Report Reveals

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Women CEOs are essential to business performance and equity. The 2025 Women CEOs in America report highlights progress, persistent gaps, and the urgent need to accelerate pathways for women leaders across industries.

Women CEOs Matter—and What the 2025 Women CEOs in America Report Reveals Read More »

  • Women CEOs Matter—and What the 2025 Women CEOs in America Report Reveals

    • Women CEOs are essential to business performance and equity. The 2025 Women CEOs in America report highlights progress, persistent gaps, and the urgent need to accelerate pathways for women leaders across industries.

    BLOGS

    “Investing in women isn’t a feel-good initiative — it’s a smart economic move. A Pepperdine U. study showed that 25 Fortune 500 firms with the best record of promoting women into high positions were up to 69% more profitable than the median firms in their industries.” -Gwen Young

    Powering the Economy: Supporting Women Business Owners is a National Imperative

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    The success of women-owned businesses is essential to the success of the U.S. economy. WBC CEO Gwen K. Young urges leaders to scale proven solutions—capital, mentorship, policy, and visibility—to ensure women entrepreneurs can thrive.

    Powering the Economy: Supporting Women Business Owners is a National Imperative Read More »

  • Powering the Economy: Supporting Women Business Owners is a National Imperative

    • The success of women-owned businesses is essential to the success of the U.S. economy. WBC CEO Gwen K. Young urges leaders to scale proven solutions—capital, mentorship, policy, and visibility—to ensure women entrepreneurs can thrive.

    BLOGS

    “Investing in women isn’t a feel-good initiative — it’s a smart economic move. A Pepperdine U. study showed that 25 Fortune 500 firms with the best record of promoting women into high positions were up to 69% more profitable than the median firms in their industries.” -Gwen Young

    Equal Pay for Equal Work: Fighting On

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    Equal pay for equal work isn’t just a motto—it’s a movement. It is the cornerstone of Women Business Collaborative’s mission. The recent release of the powerful film Lilly, documenting the relentless fight Lilly Ledbetter waged for fairness after facing pay discrimination at Goodyear. Her courage and activism led to the passing of the 2009 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a landmark moment in the push for pay equity. At WBC, that fight continues every day. -Gwen Young

    Equal Pay for Equal Work: Fighting On Read More »

  • Equal Pay for Equal Work: Fighting On

    • Equal pay for equal work isn’t just a motto—it’s a movement. It is the cornerstone of Women Business Collaborative’s mission. The recent release of the powerful film Lilly, documenting the relentless fight Lilly Ledbetter waged for fairness after facing pay discrimination at Goodyear. Her courage and activism led to the passing of the 2009 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a landmark moment in the push for pay equity. At WBC, that fight continues every day. -Gwen Young

    BLOGS

    "The path forward requires a collective effort from organizations, educators, governments, and individuals. By embracing strategies such as redefining leadership norms, implementing mentorship programs, and addressing structural barriers, we can create an inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to lead and succeed." - Gwen Young

    Why Holding the Line on DEI—Especially for Women’s Leadership–Is a Strategic Imperative

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    At WBC, we see firsthand that when organizations prioritize inclusive leadership—including elevating women—they enjoy tangible gains, including heightened employee engagement, innovative thinking, better recruitment outcomes, and stronger financial performance. -Gwen Young

    Why Holding the Line on DEI—Especially for Women’s Leadership–Is a Strategic Imperative Read More »

  • Why Holding the Line on DEI—Especially for Women’s Leadership–Is a Strategic Imperative

    • At WBC, we see firsthand that when organizations prioritize inclusive leadership—including elevating women—they enjoy tangible gains, including heightened employee engagement, innovative thinking, better recruitment outcomes, and stronger financial performance. -Gwen Young

    BLOGS

    Women's Capital Summit - May 21-22, 2025 • New York- Register Now

    Together Under One Roof

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    I’m so proud that WBC is again sponsoring this milestone event that brings together women entrepreneurs and investors. Whether you’re a founder or a funder here’s what you can look forward to …

    Together Under One Roof Read More »

  • Together Under One Roof

    • I’m so proud that WBC is again sponsoring this milestone event that brings together women entrepreneurs and investors. Whether you’re a founder or a funder here’s what you can look forward to …

    BLOGS

    "Moving forward together. Women Inspiring and Educating Generations. That's this year's theme for Women's History Month, and it resonates with us at WBC. For years, our Collaborative's marching orders have been: "Faster Together" so all generations of women can thrive in the workplace." -Gwen Young

    NOT JUST A MONTH. A MOVEMENT.

    BLOGS /

    Moving forward together. Women Inspiring and Educating Generations. That’s this year’s theme for Women’s History Month, and it resonates with us at WBC. For years, our Collaborative’s marching orders have been: “Faster Together” so all generations of women can thrive in the workplace.

    NOT JUST A MONTH. A MOVEMENT. Read More »

  • NOT JUST A MONTH. A MOVEMENT.

    • Moving forward together. Women Inspiring and Educating Generations. That’s this year’s theme for Women’s History Month, and it resonates with us at WBC. For years, our Collaborative’s marching orders have been: “Faster Together” so all generations of women can thrive in the workplace.

    BLOGS

    "With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes." -Gwen Young

    Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA)

    BLOGS /

    With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes.

    Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA) Read More »

  • Why This Year Demands a Blend of Realism, Optimism And Activism (ROA)

    • With realistic optimism in our corner, we can guard against cynicism, inertia, and burnout. We can better understand that we are not spinning our wheels; that we are doing much needed work for women in business; and significant successes for both women and their organizations are our likely outcomes.

    BLOGS

    "The path forward requires a collective effort from organizations, educators, governments, and individuals. By embracing strategies such as redefining leadership norms, implementing mentorship programs, and addressing structural barriers, we can create an inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to lead and succeed." - Gwen Young

    Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025

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    In 2025, WBC will continue its mission to advance women leaders, working toward equal position, pay, and power for all women in business while building a more inclusive business landscape.

    Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025 Read More »

  • Advancing Women in Leadership: Building a Resilient Business Landscape in 2025

    • In 2025, WBC will continue its mission to advance women leaders, working toward equal position, pay, and power for all women in business while building a more inclusive business landscape.

    BLOGS

    "Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress." - Gwen Young

    Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward

    BLOGS /

    Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress.

    Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward Read More »

  • Collaboration Will Drive Us Forward

    • Collaborative efforts have led to impactful movements, from calls for pay equity in women’s soccer to greater pay transparency across industries. Innovation thrives when companies come together to address the skills and changes needed in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. But how we collaborate also matters—accountability plays a big role in making real progress.