As a 2014 HERlead Fellow, I could not be more excited to return to the HERlead Leadership Forum. The Fellowship has provided me with so many incredible opportunities, and connected me to a network of truly inspiring women. I feel so thrilled and appreciative to be involved with the program yet again. Except this time, I’m returning not as a participant, but as an intern for Vital Voices! That’s right, I now get to assist Vital Voices and the HERlead team with the behind the scenes work involved with the conference, and learn all the secrets of how they put on such a fabulous event. AHHH!
I also can’t wait to meet all of the new Fellows. They are all so impressive—definitely impressive beyond their ages! And along with being an intern, I will also sit on a panel of past HERlead Fellows and share my experiences with the participants. I think this panel will entertain, enrich and inspire participants to develop their own leadership skills; and of course inform them of the resources and support they will have as part of the network. They’re going to learn to be powerful and confident leaders, and learn how they can use those skills to create meaningful change in their communities and around the world. Now is the time to demonstrate compassion and unity, and instill hope in others for a promising, female-driven future—and that’s just what we as Fellows are doing. I can’t wait to see the incredible plans they have for our world; but mostly, I can’t wait to tell them that with Vital Voices & ANN INC. behind them, their big plans will have the support to reach astronomical success.
-Claire Copher