Cartier Women's Initiative Awards
Each of them receives coaching support for a full year, a $20,000 grant and an exclusive Trophy designed by Cartier.
The competition comprises two rounds: the selection of the Finalists in June based on their short business plans and the selection of the Laureates in October based on their detailed business plans.
The 2009 Laureates
The Laureates of the 3rd Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards were announced during the ceremony held on the occasion of the 5th Edition of the Women’s Forum Global Meeting.
These women were selected by an international jury of entrepreneurs and businesspeople for the creativity, sustainability and social impact of their projects. From an applicant pool of 820, the Laureates, awarded by region — Africa, Asia (incl. the Oceania Zone and the Middle-East), Europe, Latin America (incl. the Caribbean) and North America — received a trophy designed by the jewellery workshops of Cartier, a US $ 20,000 cash award, and will benefit from a full year of coaching from Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD.
“In the current context of economic upheaval, these women represent a hope for change, undisputably, and their projects, by their singularity and audacity, are a source of inspiration for all of us“, says
“The Laureates have shown, each in their own manner, that the success of an enterprise is not a question of gender but rather the combination of a strong vision, an extraordinary creativity and an unfailing obstinacy“, adds Bernard Fornas, President and CEO of Cartier International.
Laureate for Africa: Jife Williams, Founder of MN Environmental Services,
In 2008, Jife set up MN Environmental Services. The company plans to construct and manage 57 convenience facilities (showers and toilets) on government land by 2014. People will pay affordable fees to use the amenities, which will be installed in public markets, parking lots, business districts and low income housing settlements.
Laureate for Asia:
Created in 2008,
Laureates for Europe: Halla Tómasdóttir and Kristin Pétursdóttir, Founders of
In 2007, Halla and Kristin founded Audur Capital, a financial services company with a unique approach based on five “feminine” values: independence, risk-awareness, profit with principles, straight talking and emotional capital. Audur Capital’s value-driven strategy has already produced impressive results. During
Laureates for Latin America: Rosario Monteverde and Magdalena Rodríguez, Founders of PRO
In March 2007,
Laureate for North America: Una Ryan, Founder of
