About IWF

the Australian chapter

We are a network of leaders who support each other in a safe environment, sharing expertise and insights that impact women’s leadership and champion inclusion and equality. Individually we stand for our own beliefs, and collectively we stand for each other.

IWF Australia was launched in 2014, thanks to the drive and determination of two women, Helen Rule and Karen Hayes, with the support of Micheline Bouchard, Lopa Mehrotra and Eileen Hendersen. But the journey to create a local Forum began much before then.

200 MEMBERS | FOUNDED 2014

As preeminent global leaders in their fields, both Helen and Karen had the opportunity experience the global IWF community.

Helen Rule was selected as an IWF Leadership Fellow and in 2001 she proudly told her class that she would establish IWF in Australia. Helen had experienced the business connections, the leadership support and the unwavering life-long friendship that IWF brings first-hand and she knew that women in Australia would benefit from such a community.

Meanwhile, Karen Hayes who was living in Montréal around the same time, was experiencing IWF as an organisation of preeminent women who lift as they climb, who leave the door open, who see partnership as the new leadership. When she returned to Australia she too knew that we needed a women’s organisation with a difference.

Helen and Karen joined forces in Australia to establish IWFA in 2014, and today we are growing with 199 members in NSW, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.

The spirit of IWFA has been built on the diversity of our membership and their willingness to support each other, share their knowledge, experience and networks and their commitment to growing and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. It’s about women supporting women to encourage each other’s success and It makes me extremely proud of the forum that has been created in Australia.

Helen Rule and Karen Hayes

Founding member

Our Values

We are inclusive and authentic

We build trust

We nurture a safe and caring environment

IWF Global

IWF’s story began when Elinor Guggenheimer – the first woman member of the New York City Planning Commission – who was asked to attend a business meeting in Philadelphia. When she arrived, she was told that the only women allowed in the building were waitresses and maids. Elly found a maid’s uniform, put it on and took her rightful place at the table. 

At that moment, she knew something more had to be done.
So was born the International Women’s Forum, launching in New York City in 1974. Breaking the glass ceiling in professional sectors from finance to fine arts never felt so good. 

Today IWF is comprised of over 8,000+ preeminent women leaders in 33 countries and 76 local Forums. IWF is the only organisation of this scale that builds significant relationships between C-level women across countries and careers.

The International Women’s Forum (IWF) is an invitation-only network of the most accomplished women in the world

A women’s network was born to provide professional and personal support, to aid each member’s success and to inspire the women who follow.

Global Forums

Connectivity is the uniqueness of IWF. Wherever you are in the world, you can find an IWF member to connect with, and they will welcome you to their country. Through our 76 Forums, IWF has a presence in 33 nations and across 6 continents - Africa and Middle East, Asia Pacific, Atlantic & Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, North America. Local events take place throughout the year in all Forums.

If you’re member of IWFA and are travelling, you can meet other inspiring women.