Dear Members, Volunteers, Followers and Supporters,
I am deeply honoured and excited to step into the role of President of OWIT, Organization Women International Trade together with my amazing Executive Board for the new term of 2024-2025.
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my predecessor, Frida Owinga, who has developed a strong foundation and the entire OWIT team for their unwavering dedication and commitment to our mission. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress in advancing the cause of women in the world of trade and business.
I would like to thank and welcome the OWIT International Executive Committee and Board of directors who will help to steer OWIT International forward. Please reach out to the Executive Committee team on: https://owit.org/leadership-2/.
As we enter a new year, I am filled with enthusiasm for the journey ahead. We have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of women entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders.
Our collective efforts can break down barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and create a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.
During this Joyous New Year, let us take a moment to reflect on the spirit of giving, unity.
It is a time to cherish our loved ones, express gratitude for the blessings in our lives, and reach out to those less fortunate. In the world of trade and business, let us also remember the power of collaboration and mentorship.
Let’s Celebrate what we have achieved and look forward to what else will be on the horizon.
Together, we will create a legacy of empowerment and inspiration for generations of women to come.
“From Union come strength”, as my motto states.
Wishing you a New Year filled with prosperity, progress, and empowerment
With Warm Regards,
Hulya Kurt
President, Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT)
OWIT’s Background
OWIT was established in 1989 and is a global association for women in international trade and business. Our 2,000-plus members impact hundreds of millions of dollars in trade and business transactions annually. OWIT’s focus is on adding value to our corporate, mid-sized, small business and individual members around the world. OWIT serves as the unifying body of a network of chapters spanning the globe in the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa. OWIT also supports a “Virtual Chapter” for individuals involved in international trade and business who do not have access to a local OWIT chapter where they reside or work. Membership in a local or the Virtual Chapter gives automatic access to the OWIT International network.
OWIT’s Mission
The primary mission of OWIT is to support the advancement of women in international trade and business. To successfully accomplish this mission, we welcome men (that support the advancement of women in international trade) and women from around the world. We facilitate relationship-building through our growing network of members, provide educational and professional development programs, and partner with organizations that share our mission. Please explore this website, where you can learn about our story and our program offerings. We encourage you to join us and volunteer!
OWIT Chapters
Did you know we have OWIT chapters in:
Arkansas – Brussels – Charleston – Dominican Republic – Lake Geneva – Los Angeles – Mexico City – Monterrey – Nairobi – New Jersey – New York City – Nigeria – Northern California – Orange County – Ottawa – Peru – South Florida – St. Louis – Tampa Bay – Toronto – United Kingdom – Virtual – Washington DC – Zimbabwe
How to Join OWIT
You can become a member of OWIT by joining an existing local chapter, our virtual chapter, or by starting your own chapter. To learn more, please explore the “join us” tab on the website.
Volunteer with OWIT
OWIT International needs you! We have 9 amazing committees that seek volunteers. If you are interested (or want help deciding which is the right committee for you), please contact OWIT President, Frida Owinga at president@owit.org or the committee chairs directly below.
- Chapter Development: Are you interested in helping grow the OWIT network around the world? If so, this is the committee for you, contact vp-chapterdevelopment@owit.org to assist!
- Chapter Support: Are you interested in helping OWIT chapters learn the benefits of the OWIT network? If so, this is the committee for you, contact VP-ChapterSupport@owit.org to assist!
- Conference: Are you interested in helping with OWIT’s conference to ensure it is a success, with amazing speakers from all over the world, and all members of OWIT around the world attend? If so, this is the committee for you, contact vp-conference@owit.org to assist!
- Marketing: Are you interested in helping with OWIT’s newsletters and press releases? If so, this is the committee for you, contact VP-Marketing@owit.org to assist!
- Partnership: Are you interested in working with OWIT’s premier partners to increase the profile of OWIT around the world? If so, this is the committee for you, contact VP-Partnerships@owit.org to assist!
- Programming: Are you interested in helping with OWIT’s webinars? If so, this is the committee for you, contact vp-programs@owit.org to assist!
- Social Media: Are you interested in helping with keeping OWIT’s social media active and up to date? If so, this is the committee for you, contact vp-it@owit.org to assist!
- Sponsorship: Are you interested in helping raise funds for this much-deserved organization via our small business sponsorship, corporate sponsorship, webinar sponsorship, and conference sponsorship? If so, this is the committee for you, contact vp-sponsorship@owit.org to assist!
- Virtual: Are you interested in helping ensure OWIT’s virtual members who don’t have a chapter near them feel included within the OWIT network? If so, this is the committee for you, contact admin@owit.org to assist!
About OWIT’s President
Hulya Kurt has been involved in OWIT for more than 10 years in Geneva, Switzerland. She started to support OWIT as a corporate sponsor when she was the Diversity and Inclusion Head of Thomson Reuters Switzerland, then continued as a volunteer. She later took the position of Vice President for events, EVP and was also President of Lake Geneva for 4 years in a row.
Hulya Kurt is now the President of OWIT International. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of InnKick, an organization that helps humans to feel empowered, resourceful and self-sustained to cope with their professional and personal life.
Corporate sponsors
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