About International Network of Women Leaders
Building a better future through compassion
It all began with a conversation—or more accurately, with the recognition that such conversations were missing. A group of women from different countries, backgrounds, and fields of expertise noticed a common absence: spaces where women could truly meet, reflect, and engage with one another about what it means to live as a woman today.
We came together out of a shared desire—to listen, to learn, and to understand one another’s experiences. Our paths crossed in classrooms, conferences, workplaces, and circles of dialogue, and it became clear that what united us was not only our professional and personal journeys, but also a commitment to a more grounded, inclusive, and thoughtful form of feminism.
From that encounter, the International Organization of Women Leaders was born:
A space to explore ideas and knowledge, where research, essays, and lived experience inform one another.
A space to feel accompanied, where women can reflect, question, and grow together.
A space for dialogue and connection, where diversity becomes a source of wisdom, not division.
Reflections Rooted in Experience, Faith, and Thought
Our work is grounded in moral principles that emerge across cultures, histories, and traditions—principles that affirm the dignity of every person, the value of solidarity, and the responsibility we owe to our shared humanity. These ethical commitments shape how we approach inquiry, dialogue, and action, providing a common language for engaging complex questions about womanhood in the modern world.
Within this broad moral horizon, our thinking is grounded by the tradition of Catholic social teaching, particularly its emphasis on human dignity, care for the vulnerable, the common good, and the moral dimensions of social life. This tradition offers a rich intellectual framework for reflection, not as a boundary that excludes, but as one source among many that deepens our analysis and fosters our conversations.
Our foundation is not a tool for judgment or division. It does not function as a test of belief, identity, or belonging. Rather, it serves as a moral orientation—guiding the questions we ask, the seriousness with which we encounter disagreement, and the care we take in holding together truth, justice, and compassion.
We remain committed to respectful dialogue across differences, believing that meaningful engagement is strengthened—not weakened—when diverse perspectives are met with intellectual rigor, humility, and mutual respect.
Meet Our Leaders
The International Network of Women Leaders is led by a distinguished group of scholars, practitioners, and advocates who bring decades of expertise and global perspective to the network’s mission.
Maria Alejandra Segura
President
María Alejandra Segura has more than 20 years of professional experience in research, teaching, and fundraising in defense of women’s and children’s rights.
María Cruz Díaz de Terán
Vice President
Tenured professor of Philosophy of Law at the University of Navarra and a member of the Gustavo Cisneros Chair for Ibero-American Studies.
Sofia Bergoglio
Executive Secretary
Since September 2025, Sofia has been promoting the strategic development of the Network through research, reflection, and institutional strenghtening processes.
Board members
Lara Bersano Calot
Board Member
Paola Binetti
Board Member
Marcela Chavarria
Board Member
Julieta Lujambio
Board Member
Flaminia Giovanelli
Board Member
Raquel Ivonne Vergas Ascencio
Board Member
A Global Network
1,150
members
25
countries that hold members and / or partners
Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, policymaker, educator, entrepreneur, or advocate, there is a place for you in this network. We welcome those who seek not only to understand the challenges facing women today, but also to contribute to the knowledge, relationships, and collective action that will shape a more equitable tomorrow.