[Washington D.C., January 22, 2024] — The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), the leading global organization supporting women in business, professional development & education, networking, and entrepreneurship, is pleased to announce the members of its 2024 Executive Committee who assumed their roles as of January 1. This group of elected women and men will serve for the 2024 period.

OWIT president Hulya Kurt, of Geneva, Switzerland, is a career coach-educator, workshop facilitator, inspirational speaker, and author with more than 30 years of corporate experience. She brings to her new office a passion for empowering individuals and organizations to discover their values, strengths, and goals and an extensive record of helping them promote themselves by leveraging professional networks.

Kurt has a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, received her coaching diploma from Noble Manhattan Coaching, Ltd, and is an educator at the Swiss School of Business and Management. She is the founder of InnKick, a Geneva-based career coaching firm. Prior to assuming her role as OWIT president, she served as the organization’s executive vice-president. She also served as president of OWIT Lake Geneva between (add the dates).

The comprehensive list of members of the new OWIT Executive Committee is as follows:

President – Hulya Kurt, Geneva, Switzerland
Executive Vice President – Noreen Burroughes Cesareo, London, United Kingdom
Treasurer – Torrey Chambliss, Tampa Bay, USA
Assistant Treasurer – Rhoda Mbugua, Kenya
Vice President, Marketing – Niki Jones, New York, USA
Vice President, Secretary – Joyce Bitutu, Kenya
Co-Vice President, Partnerships – Sanaz Farahzadi, Geneva, Switzerland
Co-Vice President, Partnerships – Alexandra Prempeh, Ghana
Vice President, Conferences & Meetings – Dimakatso Malwela, South Africa
Vice President, Membership – Joyce Mavangira, Zimbabwe
Co-Vice President, Chapter Development – Susan Baka, Toronto, Canada
Co-Vice President, Chapter Development – Tshengi Ndolvu, Zimbabwe
Chapter Support – Shaquana Teasley, Atlanta, USA
Chapter Support – Tamuna Gabilaia, Washington, DC, USA
IT – Pearl Nobuntu, Zimbabwe
IT – Dorice Malle, Tanzania
Programming – Blessings Irabor-Oza, Nigeria
Programming – Angela Hofmann, Virginia, United States
Sponsorships – Buhlebenkosi Ncube, Zimbabwe
Sponsorships – Camelia Mazard, Washington, DC, USA
General Counsel – Karen Bland, Washington, DC, USA
Immediate Past President – Frida Owinga, Nairobi, Kenya

Noreen Burroughes Cesareo, Founding President of OWIT UK and incoming Executive Vice President said, “I am delighted to be able to serve on the global executive, supporting the President Hulya Kurt. The programme we are running in the UK, focussing on the three pillars of trade finance, digitalisation and facilitation/capacity building, is a key driver in ensuring we are forging ahead with easier access to international markets for women traders. By also serving on the international executive board, we can achieve so much more, nationally and internationally.”

OWIT is a global organization with locally-operated chapters established in regions of Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Chapters engage in programmes and host events that facilitate trade, educate members and foster the creation of new international and domestic connections.

The organization defines its mission as follows: “United around the globe, OWIT’s goal is to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business. Our growing network continues to provide a collective forum to support education, to facilitate information exchange and to promote networking. In pursuing these goals, OWIT strives to provide a rewarding volunteer environment, to stay at the forefront of trade and technological developments, and to build partnerships and alliances with peer organizations and associations.”

As this year’s elected board, the Executive will continue to deliver on OWIT’s mission through its global programmes and relationships with governments, Organisations and private industry. Apart from the supportive nature of its global membership, the organization occupies a central role in ensuring that the voices of its members are heard and considered at all levels, from putting forward recommendations for policy to joining international trade visits, leading debates and acting as a springboard to facilitate that vital access to international networks and markets.  OWIT executives, chapter presidents and members regularly participate in global and national high-level meetings, consultations, conferences, and market events and activities that revolve around trade and entrepreneurship.

The Organization of Women in International Trade (‘OWIT’) is the leading organization that promotes and supports women in trade, business, networking, and professional development.  Joining a chapter is easy! Visit the organization’s membership page (https://owit.org/register-membership/) to find a local chapter near you, or use OWIT’s virtual chapter finder (available at https://owit.org/virtual-chapter/) to join an online chapter. This is also a useful resource for those who do not have a chapter in their area. After registering with a chapter, individuals are added as members of the global network.

For more information on OWIT, visit https://owit.org and www.owituk.org