Dear Friends,
When I founded Global Thinkers Forum in 2012 I hoped we could create a space where ideas would become action and where people from different cultures and generations could learn from one another.
Indeed, every year, I am reminded that our greatest accomplishment has always been the remarkable people we engage and the action orientated partnerships and conversations we create together.
As we wrap up for a brief summer break, here are some reflections from the year so far and announcements for the months ahead:
Our Athena40 gathering at the House of Lords this spring in partnership with KNOCK Inc., was attended by more than 130 changemakers and was one of those occasions that left me feeling deeply motivated. When you are surrounded by leading women such as Vicky Pryce, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Sasha Pick and Lalita Taylor, women who lead the conversations in our societies, how will you not leave the room, inspired, motivated and ready for action?
Equally close to my heart is the 12th cycle of our Athena & Telemachus Mentoring Programme. Reading this year’s reflections from our mentees has been both inspiring and humbling.
As we look ahead:
Next year, Global Thinkers Forum celebrates 15 years, a milestone that fills me with gratitude for every mentor, supporter, partner, speaker, volunteer and friend who has believed in our mission along the way. We will celebrate this anniversary through our annual Athena40 event in London, by presenting The Pebbles Exhibition, a project I co-founded with photographer Sebastian Boettcher 5 years ago. The Pebbles was born to also celebrate women’s mission-driven lives, multidimensional nature and remarkable resilience. This exhibition will be hosted in London on March 16-21, 2027 and will consist of a series of events during that week raising awareness around the 17 UN Goals. We are incredibly excited to have partnered with The King’s Trust in support of its ‘Women Supporting Women’ programme. Since its launch in 2018, Women Supporting Women has raised more than £19 million and supported nearly 16,000 young women across the UK!
As always, thank you for walking this journey with us. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements as of September!
With gratitude,
Elizabeth Filippouli
Founder, Global Thinkers Forum
Athena and Telemachus 2026
Get Inspired by Our Mentees’ Stories!
We are glad to introduce our 2026 Athena & Telemachus cohort: a group of emerging leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from around the world.
Explore their journeys, discover their aspirations, and be inspired by the voices shaping the future.
Azzan, from Tanzania, writes about the opportunities that exist but remain out of reach for so many young people. His words reminded me that talent is universal, but opportunity is not.
Marcia, from Brazil, speaks with honesty about the inequalities that Black and Indigenous women continue to face, and the barriers preventing women from reaching positions of influence.
Lubna, from Pakistan, describes technology as a force capable of connecting humanity and expanding our horizons, while warning that it can reinforce the objectification of women and amplify harmful stereotypes.
Click here to read their stories.
Athena & Telemachus 2026 Group Call
In June, our 2026 mentors and mentees came together for an online Group Call. It was a unique opportunity to connect live and meet people from 18 countries, including Belgium, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, the Philippines, Tunisia, UAE, Uganda, UK, USA, Venezuela.
Kristen Anderson, Global Advisor for How Women Lead and one of our mentors, emphasised the importance of trusting your voice, staying authentic, and setting clear goals that are aligned with your personal values and aspirations.
Najwa Maqbool, our mentee based in Abu Dhabi, reflected on the power of accountability and intentional goal setting, and creating a legacy that extends beyond the formal mentorship timeframe.
As Rita Ibutari, our mentee from Kenya, beautifully expressed, mentorship is not about immediate results. It’s about planting the seeds – the seeds of confidence, clarity, and growth.
Athena40 IWD 2026
Women at the Helm of Change
As part of International Women’s Month 2026, Athena40 hosted its annual Women at the Helm of Change event at the House of Lords in London, in partnership with KNOCK Inc. and in association with We Job Box.
The event brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers to explore the power of inclusive leadership in addressing today’s global challenges—from economic inequality and governance to innovation and sustainability.
An outstanding panel of speakers shared their expertise and perspectives, including Elizabeth Filippouli, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Vicky Pryce, Lalita Taylor FRSA, Siu Mun Li, Sharold Palmer FRSA, Dr Natasha Davendralingam, and Philip Robinson.
SAVE THE DATE – London, UK
March 16-21, 2027
The Pebbles Exhibition
As GTF celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2027, we will mark this milestone with The Pebbles, a landmark international multimedia exhibition celebrating purpose-driven women advancing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Featuring portraits and stories of inspiring women leaders from around the world, each holding a pebble symbolising her journey, resilience, and impact. The collection includes figures such as Stella McCartney, Baroness Brenda Hale, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Penny Mordaunt MP, and many other distinguished voices across business, diplomacy, media, philanthropy, and civil society.
The Pebbles will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London, from 16–21 March 2027. More details coming soon. Early ticket sales will begin on September 1st, 2026.
Karen Flynn is a Performance Coach who specialises in helping people gain clarity, build confidence, and strengthen self-leadership to create meaningful career and life transitions. Her coaching and mentorship approach combines practical strategy with deep personal reflection and development, enabling clients to move beyond limiting beliefs, to make aligned decisions and unlock their full potential.
| Knowledge-Transfer Webinars with our Experts |
| We extend our sincere appreciation to all the mentors and supporters who contributed to our webinar series throughout the year: Charles Crawford CMG – Diplomat, Author & Executive Communication Expert; Raghupathy Narayanamurthy – Entrepreneur & Senior IT Executive; Susannah Tresilian – Director of Envision Everything, Val Gonzalez – Chief Financial Officer of The Climate Reality Project and Dr Maria Frangieh – Founder & CEO of Socialprise. We would also like to express our thanks to Juliet Hall for her dedication and enthusiasm, and professional moderation of these webinars. |
Sign up for the next one!
Leading with purpose:
The Mission-Driven Finance Leader
with Val Gonzalez – Chief Financial Officer,
The Climate Reality Project
September 9 @ 14:00 BST
*Register your interest here: mentoring@globalthinkersforum.org
| Spotlight on Partners’ Initiatives in 2026 |
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| KNOCK Inc. Social Impact Report |
| Our longstanding partner, Minneapolis-based creative agency KNOCK, inc. recently published its impact report, which details the company’s evolving sustainability practices and corporate milestones as it marks its 25th anniversary. Click here to read more! |
Headwaters Relief’s 8th Annual Golf Tournament
Headwaters Relief Organization is hosting its 8th annual Golf Tournament on August 7th, 2026. The golf tournament is a fundraiser for the organization’s initiatives, and all proceeds go directly to the people and programs they support.
Registration and more information here
Genesis Energy at the 10th ICC Africa Conference
| Genesis Energy played a prominent role in the 10th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration, held in Lagos, Nigeria. Chairman and CEO Akinwole II Omoboriowo highlighting the critical link between reliable energy infrastructure, effective dispute resolution, and investor confidence. |
HERRCO Initiative on World Environment Day
On the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5th, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO), in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, carried out an awareness and information event at the National Garden. With the Amusement Park of Packaging Recycling, children had a special experience full of play, smiles and knowledge!
HERRCO continues to support initiatives that bring together education, entertainment and environmental awareness.
A Special Evening by The Hellenic Initiative
Our Founder Elizabeth Filippouli attended an evening dedicated to the work of the Hellenic Initiative and the recognition of Nikos Koumettis, the force behind Greece’s largest non-profit employment and training program ReGeneration powered by the Coca Cola Company. Over the past twelve years Regeneration has contributed significantly to combating Greece’s brain drain. Congratulations to all involved Regeneration and The Hellenic Initiative programmes.
