WIN: From a Pandemic Meet-Up to a Global Women’s Leadership Network

The pandemic was a time when the entire world felt uncertain and isolated. Many ideas and new startups were born during this time. The Women Inspiring Network (WIN), curated by Stuti Jalan, is one of the foundations that took shape during that dark period. One of her clients wanted an online meet-up. Jalan suggested inviting women leaders, authors, and entrepreneurs to share their stories. Eighty women joined that first session.

That single conversation grew into a global movement. The idea worked. Now, they hold events in Mumbai, Davos, Cannes, and New York. Women come together there to lead, talk about their work, and inspire each other.

Over the past five years, WIN has deliberately used global platforms like Climate Week New York, Cannes, and the World Economic Forum to amplify women’s voices. “It’s magical to see change makers own the stage, exchange ideas, and create solutions,” Jalan says.

One clear shift is the growing presence of women leaders on international stages. In the early days, few women wanted to participate in events like Davos or Cannes. Now, panels fill up with women leaders even before the sessions start. Jalan calls it the “WIN ripple effect”—seeing other women lead encourages more to step up.

WIN focuses on turning dialogue into action. With UNGA 80 happening alongside Climate Week New York, the network bridges global climate talks with on-the-ground solutions. “We make sure conversations translate into real impact,” Jalan says.

Women entrepreneurs are taking the lead in many fields. Through WIN, this leadership is becoming real and visible. The group talks about clean energy, recycling, farming, and water projects to help people understand the issues.

They don’t just take part in the climate economy—they are helping to shape it. WIN brings women from all over the world together so that sustainability talks include many voices.

After Davos and Cannes, moving to New York felt like the next step. The aim is to take climate and leadership conversations beyond Europe and reach women across continents and industries.

So far, WIN has hosted over 200 panels in 15 countries. More than 200 women leaders have joined—from Israel and Africa to North Macedonia, Turkey, and Taiwan..

Impact is measured not just in numbers but in engagement. When a woman leader joins a WIN panel and then brings others into the conversation, that is success. Jalan recalls a session at Climate Week New York, where Dr Sarah McCue and her team brought together Harvard professors and sustainability experts to discuss plastics in humans. “When the audience listens and ideas start flowing, that’s real impact,” Jalan says.

WIN also creates safe spaces for women to build confidence and form partnerships. The network believes that giving women a platform to share their voice can reshape industries and communities. “When women tell us WIN helped them speak up, we know we’re making a difference,” Jalan adds.

For her, it’s not just about climate. It’s about collective action, creativity, and communication. It’s about collective action, creativity, and communication.. The Rumi quote, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” That philosophy guides WIN’s journey. The network continues to foster collaboration, support women leaders, and push for meaningful change—one conversation at a time.