Our strategic priorities
Our priorities are driven by dedicated board subcommittees, led by board members, and focus on three core strategic priorities.
The IWFSA is devoted to realising it’s vision through three strategic pillars:
IGNITE.
IWFSA aims to be a strong voice advocating for women's leadership by providing platforms for thought leadership, perspectives on key topics, and strategic alliances. The Advocacy and Brand & Reputation committees will collaborate to enhance thought leadership and influence regulations and policies effectively.
INSPIRE.
A culture of service is key to the IWFSA’s membership experience. The goal is to create a strong ethos of members asking, “What can I do for the organization?” This includes mentoring, leadership development, and building strong support systems for resilience among women leaders.
IMPACT.
The IWFSA is focused on societal impact, mentoring young leaders, and providing opportunities for strategic partnerships. The IWFSA will continue its impactful programmes such as the Young Leaders Connect (YLC) and the FWLP, with a vision to extend these models into new initiatives, influencing the broader leadership landscape.
The IWFSA Board Subcommittees
The IWFSA Board Subcommittees are the driving force behind the organization’s mission, each focusing on strategic priorities to empower women leaders, strengthen visibility, foster partnerships, and advocate for women’s representation and economic justice. Through targeted initiatives, collaborative efforts, and a commitment to leadership development, these committees ensure IWFSA’s legacy and impact are continually advanced, shaping a future of inclusive, ethical, and effective leadership.
Our Board Subcommittees are
Chairman: Basetsana Kumalo
Brand and Reputation
The Brand and Reputation Committee is mandated to develop and maintain a consistent brand aligned to our vision, engage external stakeholders to create visibility and strengthen our presence, and to implement measures to protect the organisation from reputational risk.
View our mandate
THE CORE MANDATE OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO:
- Develop and maintain a consistent brand and reputation aligned to our vision.
- Engage external stakeholders to create visibility and strengthen our presence.
- Engage IWF International to create visibility and strengthen our presence.
- Implement measures to protect the organisation from reputational risk.
- Have our finger on the pulse of all current issues, develop positions and statements.
- Ensure timeous coverage across all media.
- Media recognising IWFSA as the primary source for commentary on all issues pertaining to women leadership.
Chairman: Charmaine Houvet
Deputy Chairman: Shirley Machaba
Leadership Development
It is the responsibility of the Leadership Development Sub Committee of the IWFSA Board, to empower members through structured leadership engagements. The committee oversees various development initiatives to ensure that members benefit from and develop through these. To ensure the success of future generations, the Committee further recognises talent and ensures that a well-developed pipeline of talented women is continually fed with young women of the highest caliber to ensure continuity of leadership by women.
View our mandate
THE FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES OF THE IWFSA LDC ARE:
- IDEAL Young Leaders Connect (YLC)
- IWFSA FASSET Women’s Leadership Programme (IWFSA FWLP)
- IWF Global Fellows Programme (South African Fellows)
These programmes are targeted at developing the next generation of ethical young leaders.
Chairman: Audrey Mothupi-Palmstierna
Deputy Chairman: Lillian Karuri
Strategic Alliance & Advocacy
The committee fosters strategic alliances, drives collaboration, and champions dialogue on key issues. By convening stakeholders and forming lasting partnerships, it works to advance impactful outcomes for women leaders across South Africa.
The role of the Strategic Alliance and Advocacy Committee is to:
View our mandate
Our role is:
- Cultivate mutually beneficial alliances with other organisations.
- Drive collaboration to achieve a cohesive outcome for women.
- Develop and sustain partnerships that go beyond sponsorship.
- Drive thought leadership and dialogue across key topics.
- Catalyse the development of plans of action by playing a convening role for various key stakeholders.
- Consistently have our finger on the pulse of key topics affecting women leaders in South Africa.
Subcommittee: Strategic Alliance & Advocacy
Chaired: Deputy Chairman - Lillian Karuri
Advocacy and Voice
The unified committee under the banner of Strategic Alliances & Advocacy ensures a concerted, impactful focus on:
View our mandate
- Championing gender pay equity and workplace equality to create fair and inclusive work environments.
- Advancing women’s representation in leadership and executive roles across diverse industries.
- Building mutually beneficial alliances with key organizations throughout South Africa to promote collective impact.
- Facilitating collaboration among stakeholders to achieve unified, impactful outcomes for women.
- Raising awareness and driving advocacy through targeted campaigns, comprehensive research, and strategic partnerships.
Subcommittee: Strategic Alliance & Advocacy
Chaired: Faith Khanyile
Catalytic Strategy
The Catalytic Strategy, established in 2019 by the International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA) and WDB Investment Holdings (WDBIH), (“Joint Partners”) supported by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and Anglo American Corporation, South Africa (“AAC”), continues to drive policy reforms and initiatives that promote Women’s Economic Justice, workplace equity, and increased representation of women in leadership roles.
Chairman: Adv. Thandi Orleyn
Deputy Chairman: Totsie Memela-Khambula
Member Affairs
The Member Affairs Committee, chaired by Adv Thandi Orleyn, is dedicated to the attraction, growth, and retention of IWFSA membership. Operating under a mandate from the Board, the Committee adheres to the IWFSA’s vision and mission, as well as the IWF global constitution. Membership in IWFSA is by invitation only, with a focus on attracting high-caliber women leaders who are outstanding achievers in their respective fields. This ensures the legacy and mission of IWFSA are upheld and sustained.
View our mandate
The key activities of the committee are:
- Attract and retain the membership of like-minded, accomplished women.
- Foster meaningful engagement and connectivity between members.
- Create seamless, consistent, and reliable experiences for our members.
- The Committee has an independent role, operating as an overseer and a maker of recommendations to the Board for its consideration and final approval.