We support a woman from the time she has an idea to breaking Investing in Women ground on it and scaling it. We provide her with training and networks behind the scenes, as well as visibility and resources. An Interview with Alyse Nelson, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Voices Global Partnership EDITORS’ NOTE Alyse Nelson has We have come a very long way. champions who were household names in the interventions were helpful back then. Now, we We do an incredible program in the U.S. in It’s not just about looking good to con- worked for the organization for 20 We were founded on the simple idea space who were willing to use their platforms need to make strategic, long-term investments to partnership with Ann Inc. called HERlead. We sumers, although that is a benefit. There is years, serving as Vice President and that nations, countries, and communi- as leaders to raise women around the world, but really help a woman take her vision for change invest in girls in the U.S. and teach them lessons evidence that shows that as girls are more Senior Director of programs before ties could not move forward without now we have many. to scale. in leadership from the women we have invested invested in, they contribute to stronger com- assuming her current role as President women’s voices in leadership posi- There is awareness. We have the mega- Over the years, we have honed our work. in all over the world. munities and economies. and CEO in 2009. Previously, Nelson tions in business, communities, and phone, and people are listening. We have laws We are “venture catalysts.” We search the world One of the things we look at is how As corporations get that, they’re not just served as Deputy Director of the Vital government. on the books today, but when it comes to actual for women with a daring vision and invest to women we’ve invested in give back by invest- writing checks; they’re bringing the full force Voices Global Democracy Initiative When we were founded, there was change on the ground in women’s lives, we make that vision a reality. Real, sustainable ing in young women and serving as mentors of all the assets and strategic rigor they have at the U.S. Department of State. Her no research to show that, if women haven’t seen as much change as we should have change doesn’t happen overnight. These are for them. to bear on their philanthropic and sustainable position aided former First Lady are invested in, it’s not just a feel-good by now. There is still a great deal of unfinished long-term investments individualized for each We’re also trying to communicate that lead- investments. Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State investment but it’s also a really smart business, and it’s really about behavior change. leader. ership isn’t just found in Washington or New For example, we have a partnership with Madeleine Albright’s commitment to thing to do. Companies, communities, As we look ahead, we realize we need to We support a woman from the time she York, or in major corporations or governments Bank of America. Our partner Anne Finucane, promote the advancement of women Alyse Nelson and countries can only move forward look at this issue in new and different ways. has an idea to breaking ground on it and scaling around the world – it’s found in local communi- the Vice Chairman and Global Chief Strategy as a U.S. foreign policy objective. and compete in a global marketplace We need to think outside of the box. Leaders it. We provide her with training and networks ties and in places where people may not expect and Marketing Officer, believes strongly that From July 1996 to July 2000, she worked with the if they tap those women leaders. at the top aren’t going to be the people who behind the scenes, as well as visibility and to find it. For instance, it may be found in a women’s leadership is needed around the world President’s Interagency Council on Women at the What has changed in 20 years is that these create that change, because laws are only as resources. young girl going to school in Pakistan who is to drive greater economic growth and positive White House and U.S. Department of State. Nelson is issues have moved from the margins to the powerful as the populations of people who We give some grants, but that’s not a pri- encouraging other girls to do the same. social change, and that getting women into a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She mainstream as evidenced by the post-inaugura- believe in them. mary focus because we really want the women Are all the areas you work in such as leadership positions will be extremely beneficial serves on Secretary Clinton’s Advisory Committee tion women’s march with so many people tak- We can have a law on the books that says leaders we work with to be able to raise their economic empowerment, human rights, to move the needle. on Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society and is a ing to the streets to speak out on these issues. domestic violence is a crime but, if police don’t own funds through the relationships they create. and political participation separate areas In 2012, we launched the Global Board member of Running Start and RAD-AID We have a growing body of research that take it seriously and respond or if there isn’t We also have a number of great fellowship pro- of focus or do they interrelate? Ambassadors Program together, which brings top International. She is a part of the Expert Group for shows that investing in women is not just right funding to enforce it, or if people look away, or grams that we run. Our VVGROW Fellowship, We have separate departments for each of women executives from the bank, other compa- the B Team and is on the Advisory Board of Chime but also smart. We should care about the moral if judges don’t understand, it won’t change. It’s for example, is a year-long accelerator program those issues, but they interrelate. It seems like nies, and other organizations around the world for Change. She is also the author of the best- imperative but if we don’t, we should care all about education. to help women entrepreneurs grow their busi- wherever there are major environmental issues to serve as mentors. These are women who have selling book Vital Voices: The Power of Women about the economic case for investing in wom- We have refined how we work. Vital nesses. We continue to invest in our network we also see an increase in violence against achieved success at the highest levels of busi- Leading Change Around the World. Nelson com- en’s rights. Voices is a learning organization. As things have of 15,000 women in 144 countries around the women. ness, government, media, and civil society. They pleted her graduate degree work at the Fletcher Also, the constituency alone for these moved forward for women and as the environ- world that we have fostered over the past 20 We look at those linkages that aren’t always are women who want to give back by sharing School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. issues has really grown. Given the develop- ment that we’re working in changes, there have years. clear but that exist. As women become more their knowledge and expertise. They travel with ing body of research on this issue, more gov- been more opportunities available for women Our mission – what we believe and what economically empowered, they tend to have a us to mentor young emerging leaders and ORGANIZATION BRIEF Vital Voices (vitalvoices. ernments have taken it on because they see it as around the world. When we began 20 years we’re trying to do – remains the same. We still stronger voice in politics, or they are able to establish long-term and strategic relationships org) Global Partnership invests in women lead- smart economics. Many corporations, interna- ago, it was enough to just bring women together believe that women’s voices are vital. We are stand up for themselves and leave violent rela- to propel them on their leadership path. ers who improve the world. Founded by then First tional institutions, and governments have taken to acknowledge them and provide an opportu- guided by the belief that women are central to tionships because they gain more confidence. The way in which we invest in women Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and guided by action on this issue. We used to have just a few nity to connect and gain skills training. One-off progress within their communities. These things are all very much interconnected. leaders is different from traditional models of the belief that women are essential to progress in As women gain higher positions of leader- Will you talk about the value of the cor- philanthropy, which are often about a “mile their communities, it has partnered with leaders ship, more is on the line and more is possible. porate partnerships you have built? wide and an inch deep,” a “one-size” fits all, from more than 140 countries who advance eco- They can impact the lives of many. When we first started our work, if someone short-term intervention. In times of crisis, this nomic opportunity, increase political and pub- How do you go about measuring the had asked the fastest way to bring about seis- approach is critical.