History

W.I.N. – the place for women in business for 13 years and counting!

Founded in November 1997 in Milan, Italy, W.I.N. (Women’s International Networking) was the brainchild of Norwegian social entrepreneur, Kristin Engvig. Her vision took shape while President of the Professional Women’s Association in Milan. During those three years, Engvig began understanding the emerging need for women to network globally, gain global competencies and find support and inspiration to make their dreams come true. The seed was planted and from there, Engvig's vision began to grow. She attracted a number of professional women’s networks from around Europe, a team of enthusiastic international business women and advisors, and key sponsors who shared her vision -- and W.I.N. was born. Since then, the W.I.N. organisation has consistently maintained its vision as a network of networks -- with the ideas, people, energy and enthusiasm coming together in one place: The annual W.I.N. global leadership conference.

Since the first annual leadership conference held in Milan, September 1998, W.I.N. has facilitated cross-border networking, disseminated cutting edge information, built skills and enhanced women’s motivation and hope.

Based in Europe but with a global outlook, W.I.N. strives to improve working women internationally by developing authentic leaders from each participant. Over the past 13 years W.I.N. has become one of the world’s leading international platforms. W.I.N. also serves as an active network for professional women’s groups both independently and through partnering with local networks around the world. The annual W.I.N. conference, the leading and most profound global women’s forum in Europe, is the organisation's primary activity. W.I.N. has grown steadily year after year, and been experienced by nearly 7000 people from almost every country across the globe.

The annual conference is designed for women and men who want to be part of shaping the newly emerging paradigm of achieving results through authentic action. As themes evolve, the annual conferences manifest the emergence of a collective and truly global leadership journey being made by modern women leaders of today.

To see an overview of the W.I.N. global conferences throughout the past years, click here.