Latest news with #CartierWomen'sInitiative
Elle
3 days ago
- Business
- Elle
Inside Cartier's Global Mission to Empower Women
Cartier is more than a storied house of the finest jewelry, it's a brand dedicated to platforming women in philanthropy. Since 2006, the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) has nurtured women-run and -owned businesses across social, economic, and environmental fields. In its nearly 20 years, the program has championed 330 entrepreneurs and awarded $12.2 million in financial support. CWI is open to any applicant across the globe, offering successful candidates a $100,000 grant for their initiative. In 2020, the house took its mission one step further by honoring former fellows with the CWI Impact Awards. For its second installment, Cartier transported guests and honorees to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan earlier this week to present the 'Women's Pavilion,' the first of which was staged five years ago at the Expo in Dubai. At the pavilion, the nine former fellows shared stories about their inspiring and impressive work. 2013 fellow Nabita Banka has radically transformed India's access to public bathrooms with her Biotoilet. 'We had an idea for a solution, then we proved it worked. However, I knew I couldn't tackle open defecation and lack of access to sanitation facilities by myself,' Banka says in a statement. While living in Nairobi, 2019 fellow Caitlin Dolkart noticed ambulance sirens were rare and that residents rarely called them because of slow response times. 'The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 50 percent of emergency-related mortality and morbidity could be avoided in low-income countries if ambulance response times were faster,' she explains. Through her app Flare, ambulance drivers are now able to have a direct line of communication with local hospitals, filling a crucial gap in the emergency medical system. The winners of the 2025 Impact Awards will receive an additional $100,000, mentorship, and media visibility to continue to expand their work. Applications for the Cartier Women's Initiative are open now through June 24, 2025 at 8:00 A.M. EDT (2:00 P.M. CEST).
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Cartier Thailand Partners with Chula to Celebrate Social Entrepreneurs and Graduates of the Cartier Women's Initiative Entrepreneurial Program
BANGKOK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartier Thailand, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, hosted a celebration honoring the achievements of social entrepreneurs who completed the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) Entrepreneurial Program —a short-term course for female entrepreneurs in Thailand. The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, who presented certificates to the program's graduates. The opening speech was delivered by Ms. Pornpreya Vivadhnajat, Managing Director of Cartier Thailand, while Ms. Yanina Novitskaya, Chief Executive Officer of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania, extended her congratulations. The event was held on May 8, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. The Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) is a global program reflecting Cartier's long-standing commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs who are driving social change through business solutions. In Thailand, this has been further developed into the CWI Entrepreneurial Program, aimed at equipping social entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge. The program covers fundamental business practices, leadership skills, business tools, and techniques that enable participants to scale their ventures internationally and potentially join the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards in the future. The ultimate goal is to help Thai entrepreneurs create a positive global impact through purpose-driven businesses. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, remarked that the 26 graduates of the program are not only entrepreneurs but also changemakers. Over the six-week period, they stepped away from their business leadership roles to immerse themselves in this intensive course. The knowledge and experience they gained will prepare them to lead their ventures and discover innovative solutions to drive global change. This collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and Cartier reinforces a shared vision to support enterprises that go beyond profit and strive for social impact. He also invited interested parties to apply for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2026, which will take place in 2026. Ms. Pornpreya Vivadhnajat, Managing Director of Cartier Thailand, stated that the CWI Entrepreneurial Program was designed to empower and build the capabilities of entrepreneurs committed to running sustainable businesses with meaningful purposes. She expressed admiration and inspiration from witnessing the growth of the program participants, who demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and the collective positive energy fostered within the community. Ms. Yanina Novitskaya, CEO of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania, shared her appreciation for the dedication and determination shown by all participants in the CWI Entrepreneurial Program. She noted that Thailand is among the leading countries in terms of female leadership, with many women in executive roles—highlighting the strong potential of Thai women. As the Cartier Women's Initiative approaches its 20th year, Thailand will host the awards ceremony in 2026. She encouraged program participants and other female social entrepreneurs to apply for this global initiative, which supports business and entrepreneurial growth within a vibrant community of social impact leaders. The Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) Entrepreneurial Program is a six-week intensive course co-developed and managed by Cartier and Chulalongkorn University. It includes comprehensive content and practical exercises that span entrepreneurship fundamentals, business operations, and pitching techniques. The program is led by Dr. Preechaya Sittipunt, Chief Global Learning Officer. Female entrepreneurs running social enterprises are invited to apply for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2026, even if they have not participated in the CWI Entrepreneurial Program. Applications are open now through June 24, 2025. Application forms and further information are available at: View the photo album of this article at About Chulalongkorn University "Chulalongkorn University proudly retains its No. 1 position among Thai universities and ranks 132nd in Asia out of more than 2,000 institutions in the THE Asia University Rankings 2025—a testament to the excellence of Thai higher education on the regional stage."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cartier Thailand Partners with Chula to Celebrate Social Entrepreneurs and Graduates of the Cartier Women's Initiative Entrepreneurial Program
BANGKOK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartier Thailand, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, hosted a celebration honoring the achievements of social entrepreneurs who completed the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) Entrepreneurial Program—a short-term course for female entrepreneurs in Thailand. The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, who presented certificates to the program's graduates. The opening speech was delivered by Ms. Pornpreya Vivadhnajat, Managing Director of Cartier Thailand, while Ms. Yanina Novitskaya, Chief Executive Officer of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania, extended her congratulations. The event was held on May 8, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. The Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) is a global program reflecting Cartier's long-standing commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs who are driving social change through business solutions. In Thailand, this has been further developed into the CWI Entrepreneurial Program, aimed at equipping social entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge. The program covers fundamental business practices, leadership skills, business tools, and techniques that enable participants to scale their ventures internationally and potentially join the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards in the future. The ultimate goal is to help Thai entrepreneurs create a positive global impact through purpose-driven businesses. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, remarked that the 26 graduates of the program are not only entrepreneurs but also changemakers. Over the six-week period, they stepped away from their business leadership roles to immerse themselves in this intensive course. The knowledge and experience they gained will prepare them to lead their ventures and discover innovative solutions to drive global change. This collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and Cartier reinforces a shared vision to support enterprises that go beyond profit and strive for social impact. He also invited interested parties to apply for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2026, which will take place in 2026. Ms. Pornpreya Vivadhnajat, Managing Director of Cartier Thailand, stated that the CWI Entrepreneurial Program was designed to empower and build the capabilities of entrepreneurs committed to running sustainable businesses with meaningful purposes. She expressed admiration and inspiration from witnessing the growth of the program participants, who demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and the collective positive energy fostered within the community. Ms. Yanina Novitskaya, CEO of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania, shared her appreciation for the dedication and determination shown by all participants in the CWI Entrepreneurial Program. She noted that Thailand is among the leading countries in terms of female leadership, with many women in executive roles—highlighting the strong potential of Thai women. As the Cartier Women's Initiative approaches its 20th year, Thailand will host the awards ceremony in 2026. She encouraged program participants and other female social entrepreneurs to apply for this global initiative, which supports business and entrepreneurial growth within a vibrant community of social impact leaders. The Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) Entrepreneurial Program is a six-week intensive course co-developed and managed by Cartier and Chulalongkorn University. It includes comprehensive content and practical exercises that span entrepreneurship fundamentals, business operations, and pitching techniques. The program is led by Dr. Preechaya Sittipunt, Chief Global Learning Officer. Female entrepreneurs running social enterprises are invited to apply for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2026, even if they have not participated in the CWI Entrepreneurial Program. Applications are open now through June 24, 2025. Application forms and further information are available at: View the photo album of this article at About Chulalongkorn University "Chulalongkorn University proudly retains its No. 1 position among Thai universities and ranks 132nd in Asia out of more than 2,000 institutions in the THE Asia University Rankings 2025—a testament to the excellence of Thai higher education on the regional stage." Social Media: Facebook: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Chulalongkorn University Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
6 days ago
- General
- CNA
Osaka World Expo 2025: The Cartier Women's Pavilion champions a powerful message for gender equality
Walking through the grounds of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, one can't help but notice an intriguing pavilion with a Kumiko-inspired facade, standing prominently beside the Japan pavilion. This lattice-like structure houses the Women's Pavilion, crafted by French luxury house Cartier in collaboration with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and the Japanese government, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office. This powerful space conveys the message that 'when women thrive, humanity thrives'. It unites impactful architecture with a curated collection of stories, vital data, and transformative dialogue, aiming to drive global change for gender equality and spotlighting the important role of women in shaping a better tomorrow. Women's empowerment is a core pillar of Cartier's corporate social responsibility efforts. In 2006, the maison launched the Cartier Women's Initiative, which supports and champions women impact entrepreneurs. 'At Cartier, women have always been a source of endless inspiration and a cornerstone of the maison's creativity and values. For this reason, Cartier has been fully committed to supporting women empowerment through several long-lasting initiatives,' said Cyrille Vigneron, Cartier's former CEO and current chairman of culture and philanthropy, in an email interview with CNA Luxury. 'From the Cartier Women's Initiative to Cartier Philanthropy, the maison champions women changemakers, who are catalyst for social progress, helping them to scale their efforts, thrive in their pursuits and pave the way for generations to come," Vigneron added. The Women's Pavilion in Osaka is the second of its kind and runs till Oct 13. The first Women's Pavilion was presented by Cartier at Expo 2020 in Dubai. 'The World Expo, as a powerful global platform, provides Cartier with a unique opportunity to share its commitment to women's empowerment. Over the six months of the Expo, millions of visitors will come to Osaka and experience the Women's Pavilion and hopefully carry its message far beyond the Expo itself,' Vigneron commented. AN ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL The pavilion is designed by Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama. In a nod to sustainability, its Kumiko-inspired facade is repurposed from the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The structure honours traditional Japanese craftsmanship, incorporating over 7,000 individual components, each carefully hand-assembled without the use of a single nail or hammer. The facade will be given a third life after the Osaka Expo. It will be reused as the main stage structure of the Green Expo in Yokohama in 2027. As the Women's Pavilion is situated on a narrow lot, Nagayama drew inspiration from the traditional 'machiya' townhouses of Kyoto, known for their depth and integration with nature. She translated this by interspersing the space with greenery through the incorporation of gardens and courtyards within, creating serene spaces that offer respite and invite contemplation. Embracing the principles of the circular economy, the pavilion's gardens feature trees temporarily relocated from the mountains around Osaka. In a poetic gesture, they will be returned to their natural habitat following the conclusion of the Expo. AN IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION Inside the pavilion, visitors are invited to go on an immersive, multi-sensory journey led by an audio guide. The experience is curated by Es Devlin, an acclaimed contemporary artist and the pavilion's global artistic lead. Arriving through the entrance garden, guests are first invited to say their name into a mirror, a simple yet profound gesture that is meant to allow them to add their own voice to the pavilion. The doors then open into the next room, where visitors will watch a short film created by Devlin and film director Naomi Kawase. The film shares the story of three women from three different continents – Emtithal Mahmoud, a Sudanese American poet, activist and scientist, renowned Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto, and Xiye Bastida, a Mexican climate activist. At the end of the sequence, the film splits to form three oval apertures, and through the audio guide, guests are called by their name to enter one of them, where they will follow the stories of one of the three women. (To discover the stories of the other women, guests will have to re-enter the pavilion). Each path culminates at the "Ma" room, which in Japanese means a pause or an interval. Here, guests are invited to take a moment for reflection. Light penetrates the space through an oval aperture onto a dark oval table, whose surface is made of water scattered with black pebbles. The journey continues on to the Puzzle Box, a series of spaces that unfold like a Japanese puzzle box. This space presents facts and data in relation to gender equality across the globe, gathered by UN Women and the Gender Snapshot 2024. It's a sobering perspective on both the progress of gender equality and the challenges still to come. For example, climate change is further exacerbating inequality, with projections showing that by 2050, up to 158 million more women and girls could be pushed into extreme poverty. The experience ends with a room titled Your Hand, which showcases the voices of multiple activists who are working towards improving the lives of women globally. These include Emma Hosoi, a 14-year-old social entrepreneur from Japan raising awareness on marine conservation and biodiversity; Shani Dhanda, a social entrepreneur and disability advocate from the UK; Xintong Du, the founder of an affordable speech therapy platform from China; Anastasia Yeva Domani, a transgender rights activist from Ukraine; Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, a renowned Japanese actress, author and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and more. Each activists holds an oval aperture, and guests are invited to place their hand within each opening to receive a personal message from the activist, with words projected in light onto their hand. A SPACE FOR DIALOGUE Walking up the stairs to the second floor, guests will discover an artistic exploration curated by French actress and filmmaker Melanie Laurent. Laurent collaborated with Japanese artist Hiro Chiba to create Whispers on Leaves, a series of works that combine digital photography with Chiba's unique chlorograph technique, which infuses images with chlorophyll. Leaning into one of the artworks, guests will hear a soundscape composed by Laurent. At the sculpture garden, Laurent created a VR experience that reimagines Shakespeare's Ophelia as a modern figure of resilience and empowerment. The Women's Pavilion is 'more than a physical structure', said Vigneron. It also 'serves as a hub for dialogue and inspiration'. Reflecting this vision, the second floor of the pavilion features the WA (Japanese for harmony or peace) space, which will bring together international leaders, visionaries and experts for conversations and panel discussions on key global challenges around six themes – Mother Nature, Business & Technology, Education & Policy, Arts & Culture, Philanthropy, and Roles & Identities. The dialogues are open to public and visitors are encouraged to attend and participate by registering on the Women's Pavilion's website. Vigneron emphasises that the dialogue sessions aim to 'inspire action and remind visitors that everyone has a role to play in driving positive change'. A COLLABORATIVE VISION The Women's Pavilion was officially inaugurated with an opening ceremony held on May 21 at the Expo Hall with speeches and keynote addresses by Vigneron, June Miyachi, president and CEO of Cartier Japan, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority of the UAE and more. Performances included a poetry recitation by JJ Bola, a writer, poet and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. The ceremony culminated in a moving performance that brought together folk singer Anna Sato, Wadaiko drummers, two youth soloists and international and Japanese choirs. They performed an original composition titled The Flower of the Human Heart, which expressed a call for resilience, unity and transformation. The performance embodied Cartier's collaborative spirit in advancing its social and philanthropic causes. When asked how Cartier is doing things differently from other luxury brands in driving positive change, Vigneron shared: 'In an era where luxury brands hold significant influence, Cartier recognises its responsibility to spark actions in driving change. What sets the maison apart is its unwavering belief in the power of collaboration.' 'By partnering with like-minded stakeholders who share its values, the maison actively works to address pressing global challenges and contribute to a more inclusive, durable future, one that resonates with generations to come,' Vigneron continued. In an era where luxury brands hold significant influence, Cartier recognises its responsibility to spark actions in driving change." – Cyrille Vigneron
Irish Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Irish entrepreneur receives international award for work which ‘preserves the planet'
AN IRISH businesswoman has received a global award for her commitment to the planet. Dublin-based Tracy O'Rourke was the only Irish entrepreneur among nine international awardees to be presented with the 2025 Impact Award from the Cartier Women's Initiative. Ms O/Rourke, who is the founder and CEO of Vivid Edge, an Irish climate action impact company, received her award at a prestigious ceremony held at Expo 2025 in Osaka in Japan this week. Tracy O'Rourke received her award at a ceremony held in Osaka 'It's a huge honour for me personally and on behalf of our incredible team at Vivid Edge to have been awarded a 2025 Impact Award by the Cartier Women's Initiative,' she said. 'It is a great privilege to be included among this group of inspirational female entrepreneurs who are driving social and environmental change around the world through their companies.' She added: 'At Vivid Edge we are on a mission to make it easy and financially rewarding for large energy users to decarbonise, bringing energy expertise, delivery capability and capital. 'In terms of impact, we estimate that the projects we have delivered to date for clients have avoided over 36,000 tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting over 100,000 trees and saved over 119 GWh of energy. 'Vivid Edge's work is making measurable contributions to global climate goals, and we are proud to be delivering measurable impact contributing to a better future for people and the planet.' Ms O'Rourke received her award in the Preserving the Planet category, alongside Kristin Kagetsu, of Saathi in India and Kresse Wesling, of Elvis & Kresse in the UK, who were awarded in the same category. Each of the nine awardees receive a $100,000 grant to support their ongoing work. See More: Cartier Women's Initiative, Impact Award, Tracy O'Rourke
