Since 1995, OWIT International has celebrated the outstanding achievements and contributions of women leaders in international business and trade, from around the world.
We are very pleased to announce that 2013 OWIT Woman of the Year award has been given to OWIT Lake Geneva member Meg Jones.
What is the award all about?
The OWIT Woman of the Year award honours a candidate who has made an exceptional contribution and improvement to the status of women in international business and trade for a period of at least three years.
Supporting the greater purpose and OWIT International’s mission, united around the globe to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business, the candidate role models OWIT’s values of collaboration, integrity, responsibility, respect, diversity, empowerment, learning, compassion.
Finally, she is a role model to other women in the field, and recognized and highly respected for her significant achievements and responsibilities.
Meg Jones - The perfect candidate
There are many strings to Meg’s bow and it’s no wonder she was nominated for this award. From an early age, Meg has always had a great drive and determination, which she has successfully channelled into a career of empowering women by improving their status in international business and trade.
With a Master of International Studies and a Bachelor of Economics, Meg studied in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Netherlands, and is multi-lingual, speaking English, French and Japanese.
As the Women and Trade Programme Manager at the International Trade Centre (a joint agency of the United Nations and WTO), she is responsible for the design and implementation of the multi-year, multimillion dollar programme to increase the economic benefits women derive from trade.
As such, she works with women-owned enterprises to connect them to corporate and government buyers, and with institutions and government to improve the business environment for women exporters.
Prior to this, her illustrious career has seen her in the role of Deputy Director of the Evian Group at IMD – a trade think tank, staff for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, as well as a member of the Australian delegation to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. She also brings her private sector experience gained from working in the financial markets and in management consulting.
Meg has sat on several boards including the Australia-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Organization of Women in International Trade and is a 2012 ‘World of Difference’ award winner for her contribution to women’s economic empowerment.
How did you feel when you found out you had won the award?
“Elated! As a founding member of the Lake Geneva Chapter, I know OWIT International well and have a great respect for all the women who volunteer many hours to achieve the organisation’s goals. I also feel that the OWIT International and its chapters have a brilliant mission: united around the globe to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business.
What would you say to OWIT members for whom you are a role model?
“I would encourage people to turn their frustrations into actions. If you give up then nothing changes… if there is an obstacle in front of you channel it into action and actually affect change. Do something positive to break the status quo. It is important to pick your battles, but it is also good to join forces with others to make change happen and OWIT is the kind of organization which allows women to work on ideas and projects together to achieve concrete results.
Read and in-depth interview with Meg from the Network Newsletter of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and learn about the challenges she faces in her work and innovative projects she leads to overcome them.