Courage is the turning point of every leadership story.

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It’s the moment a woman decides to take a step forward — even when the path isn’t clear, even when the system isn’t built for her, even when her own inner voice whispers doubt.

Over the last year, through nearly 50 IWBD sessions — industry committees hosted by global companies, leadership talks, board-readiness workshops, and intimate community meetups — one message rose above all:

Women are ready.
What we need is courage in action.

Courage to challenge structures.
Courage to make bold moves.
Courage to claim our space in the boardroom.
Courage to grow differently and lead with purpose.

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This is why the theme of the IWBD Women in the Boardroom Annual Summit 2026 is COURAGE — because it’s the spark that turns learning into momentum and collective dialogue into tangible change in the Boardroom.