Attending the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Cornerstone Conference in Cape Town was more than a professional experience; it was a profound personal journey. For our Edelman delegation, the week was a reminder of what leadership truly means: connection, courage, and collective strength.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of South Africa, a country that embodies resilience and community, the conference brought together nearly 500 women leaders from over 30 countries. United under the theme of Ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are,” the event invited us to explore how leadership, empathy, and collaboration intertwine to create meaningful impact.
Redefining Leadership Through Connection
Many of us arrived in Cape Town yearning to learn more about leadership, belonging, and how to lead with authenticity in a rapidly changing world. Refreshingly, the panels didn’t focus on power or hierarchy. Instead, they delved into purpose, empathy, and the courage to show vulnerability.
What we heard was that leadership isn’t defined by seniority or title. It’s about connections. Leadership is found in conversations that challenge assumptions, in the teams that encourage us to listen more deeply, and in the networks that help us grow into better versions of ourselves.
That sentiment resonated throughout the sessions, which explored themes such as:
- Creating psychological safety in an increasingly self-protective world.
- The role of creativity, joy, and food security as survival topics, not side topics
- How communities and women rise together.
We left reminded that while technology and AI may evolve faster than ever, the leadership qualities that matter most remain timeless: trust, empathy, and connection.
The Spirit of Ubuntu
Ubuntu was not just a theme; it was alive in every interaction. As President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the opening session, shared, “Our progress is intertwined, and when women rise, societies rise with them.”
The spirit of Ubuntu calls us to build ecosystems, not empires and to recognize that our humanity exists through others. We cannot be fully human if we diminish someone else’s humanity. It’s a call to lead with purpose, to uplift others as we rise, and to celebrate success collectively rather than competitively.
We witnessed that spirit vividly in the women of South Africa, in their warmth, confidence, and grace, reflected not just in their words but mostly in their presence.
Each of us left Cape Town changed. We were reminded that leadership is often about making decisions that shape lives, not about the titles we hold. That birthing new ideas, like human birth, can be messy, but necessary if we want something real to emerge.
We also found strength in each other. The bonds we built, across Toronto, Washington D.C., Dubai, Chicago, Seoul, and beyond, are ones we will carry forward. Together, we’ve pledged to stay connected as women leaders who support one another across geographies and disciplines.
To the IWF organizers, thank you for curating a truly transformative experience. To our Edelman leaders, Taryn Solomon, Claudia Patton, Lisa Sepulveda, Matthew Harrington, our managers and our account teams, and many others, thank you for making this opportunity possible. And to our fellow Edelman delegates: Ivana Musich, Kevval Hanna, Marta Guasch, Alesia Nadtochiy, and Janet Kim, thank you for the laughter, the learning, and the late-night red cappuccinos.
We returned home grounded, inspired, and committed to leading with courage, empathy, and intention, and to carrying the spirit of Ubuntu into everything we do.
Co-authored by: Ivana Musich (Toronto), Kevval Hanna (Washington D.C.), Marta Guasch (Dubai), Alesia Nadtochiy (Chicago / LATAM), Janet Kim (Seoul).
