The International Women's Forum (IWF ) is a global organization of preeminent women of significant and diverse achievement. It is a one-of-a-kind organization of singular standing in the world today that furthers dynamic leadership, leverages global access, and maximizes opportunities for women to exert their influence.

Founded in 1982 in the United States, the International Women's Forum has grown across 5 continents with nearly 5,000 women leaders participating in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and the Pacific Basin . With forums throughout the world, the IWF facilitates networking among women of achievement and promotes opportunities for women in leadership. Through international programming, communications, and uniquely designed events, IWF members are able to come together, exchange ideas, and share insights with other leaders whose decisions move industries, shape economies, and define government policies. The organization provides a platform for women leaders to meet among their peers in an environment where meaningful friendships and alliances can form and grow.

The organization is a source of learning – across disciplines and with dimensions that are unique. Through programs and conferences held by the IWF and its Leadership Foundation, women leaders enjoy enriching and positive moments that cannot be garnered anywhere else.

IWF's founders, Elinor Guggenheimer and Eleanor Holmes Norton, had the vision of creating a networking vehicle for top women leaders. IWF has grown into a world-class leadership association of global importance providing access, information, leadership exchange and development for women on issues of international concern.

Providing support, professional opportunities, camaraderie and input for women leaders at home where they live through affiliated forum activities, the International Women's Forum also provides a global stage upon which women leaders can meet, confer, resolve, and develop opportunities that expand prospects for women and girls throughout the world.

Each year, IWF conducts its World Leadership Conference and Gala. These conferences are large-scale, global leadership events that integrate the International Women's Forum with the world's top political, business, and cultural leaders for conversations that are timely, topical, and globally focused. This three to four day meeting takes members into the private chambers of power for an inside look at the state of the world's political, economic and societal climates. From the informative plenary sessions to the intimate breakout discussions, the World Leadership Conference brings together policy-makers, decisiontakers, and experts of business, invention, creativity, science & technology, and artistic expression for a rare insight at a global level.

Through the IWF Dine-Arounds, members have opportunities to travel to the private homes of leading women who reside in the host city. This unique cultural experience provides an intimate setting for networking and relationship building. The World Leadership Conference culminates with the IWF Gala and the presentation of the International Hall of Fame Awards which promote continued awareness of and appreciation for the seminal contributions of the world's leading women, across sectors and throughout the global community.

IWF's Cornerstone Conferences take place each year in regions diverse and broad, drawing global representation and participation from the world's top decision-makers and thought-leaders. Cornerstone Conference programs promote the exchange of ideas, innovations, strategies and solutions on the leading issues of our time. Increasing ready-access to IWF's global membership on five continents, the Cornerstone Conferences are designed to provide an open world exchange with IWF members, young leaders, and the drivers of the world's destiny who are impacting the future. Conducted in both emerging market and mature economic centers alike, IWF Cornerstone Conferences present unmatchable opportunities that inform the capacity of women leaders to meet the challenges of today's world.