Propel Women Leaders for Tomorrow

Forty-one Chinese women entrepreneurs and business owners from across the country gathered at the Columbia Global Centers | Beijing from July 23-26 to attend the first training session of the Wutong Project, a one-year women’s innovative leadership program launched by Barnard College at Columbia University and Her Village Academy and hosted by the Beijing Center. 

Ms. Yang Lan SIPA ’96, Founder of Her Village Academy and advisory board member of the Beijing Center, gave inspiring remarks on how women leaders can maximize their influence and increase innovation potential.

"Today, more than ever, we need to maintain hope and unity to find certainty amid uncertainty," said Yang.

Yang encouraged participants to achieve self-growth in their future studies, as well as to help and support each other.

Sian Leah Beilock, President of Barnard College, sent a video message of support for all participants. She said: “This program is designed to give you the tools and mindsets you need to flourish as creative, collaborative, and bold leaders. On behalf of all of us here at Barnard, we look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish.”

Umbreen Bhatti, Constance Hess Williams '66 Director of the Athena Center for Leadership at Barnard College, joined the training session via Zoom, where she walked participants through the essential elements of leadership and key components that define leadership success.

The Wutong Project has opened the call for application for its second edition. For more information, click here.