celebrate with Forté
#GiveToGain
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, invites all of us to recognize a simple truth: when we give our voice, our influence, and our advocacy to advance women, we don’t lose power — we expand what’s possible for everyone. At Forté, this spirit of reciprocal generosity is the foundation of true allyship.
Advancing women in leadership isn’t a women’s issue — it’s a business imperative, and men play a pivotal role in accelerating that progress. When allies give their attention, their sponsorship, and their willingness to challenge outdated norms, organizations gain stronger teams, more innovative thinking, and cultures where talent can thrive.
Give to Gain at Forté means stepping into advocacy with intention:
- Giving visibility by amplifying women’s voices in meetings and moments that matter
- Giving opportunity by sponsoring women into decision‑making roles, not just offering advice
- Giving courage by asking who’s missing from the room and challenging the default
- Giving partnership by co‑creating workplaces where inclusion is the norm, not the exception
Celebrate with Forté
Give to Gain: Reframing Self-Advocacy
March 9 • 11–Noon ET • Online
Advocating for yourself is more than speaking up for your own success — it’s a way of giving back. When you clearly articulate your impact, you help leaders make better decisions, strengthen your team’s performance, and model confidence for the women around you. Join us for an International Women's Day celebration with Melody Wilding, LMSW, author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge.
In the spirit of IWD's theme Give to Gain, Melody will cover topics such as how to share your achievements with clarity and integrity so your work gets noticed, valued, and rewarded — while also uplifting others in the process.
Forté–Esade International Women’s Day Symposium
March 10 • 7–9:30 PM CET • Esade Campus, Barcelona
Celebrate International Women’s Day with an evening dedicated to connection, leadership, and the power of women’s networks. Guided by the 2026 theme Give to Gain, this symposium brings together MBA students, alumnae, corporate partners, and gender‑equity advocates for an inspiring program featuring opening remarks from Esade and Forté leadership, a dynamic panel conversation, and a rooftop networking celebration.
Discover how intentional communities create opportunity, amplify women’s voices, and strengthen leadership at every career stage.
Alumni Gatherings
Reconnect. Recharge. Rise—Together.
Forté Alumni Gatherings bring post‑MBA women together for informal, in‑person networking events across many cities plus a virtual event. These meetups create space for authentic connection, shared insight, and the kind of community that fuels leadership at every stage of your career.
In the spirit of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, Give to Gain, each gathering celebrates the power of women supporting women — offering a place to exchange experiences, open doors for one another, and strengthen the global movement for #MoreWomenLeading.
Whether you’re new to a city, navigating a career transition, or simply craving community, you’ll find a network ready to welcome you
Bring International Women’s Day to Your Campus
Empower your student community to celebrate women’s leadership, amplify diverse voices, and spark meaningful conversations with an International Women’s Day event on your campus. Whether you’re hosting a panel, a networking meetup, a storytelling session, or a student‑led discussion, IWD is a powerful opportunity to explore this year’s theme, Give to Gain, and highlight how women support, uplift, and inspire one another.
International Women’s Day Campus Resource Guide
Planning an International Women’s Day event is an opportunity to bring your campus together, elevate women’s voices, and spark conversations that inspire action. Whether you’re organizing a panel, a networking mixer, a storytelling circle, or a student‑led discussion, these resources will help you design an event that reflects this year’s theme, Give to Gain, and celebrates the power of women supporting women.
Step 1: Choose Your Event Format
Select a format that resonates with your community and aligns with your goals. Popular options include:
- Panel Discussion featuring faculty, alumni, or student leaders
- Networking Meetup to build connections across programs and class years
- Storytelling or “Lightning Talks” highlighting personal leadership journeys
- Interactive Workshop on mentorship, allyship, or career confidence
- Student‑Led Dialogue exploring the Give to Gain theme through lived experiences
Step 2: Build Your Program
Craft an agenda that encourages participation and reflection. Consider including:
- A brief welcome and land acknowledgment
- An introduction to the Give to Gain theme
- Guided questions or conversation prompts
- Time for open dialogue or Q&A
- A closing call to action — how students can continue supporting one another
Step 3: Promote Your Event
Use multiple channels to reach students across campus:
- Student club newsletters
- Campus-wide email lists
- Screens and digital signage
- WhatsApp or GroupMe communities
- Faculty and staff partners who can amplify your message
- Social media posts and stories
Make your event stand out with customizable, campus‑ready visuals. To make promotion easy, we’ve created ready‑to‑use graphics sized for every platform.
Download:
Step 4: Activate Your Community
Encourage attendees to engage before, during, and after the event:
- Invite students to share what Give to Gain means to them
- Encourage live posting using #MoreWomenLeading
- Offer reflection cards or conversation starters
- Highlight campus resources, affinity groups, and leadership opportunities
- Capture photos and quotes to share with your community afterward
Step 5: Keep the Momentum Going
International Women’s Day is a moment — but it can also be a movement. Consider:
- Hosting follow‑up meetups or mentorship circles
- Spotlighting women leaders on campus throughout March
- Partnering with other clubs or departments for ongoing programming
- Encouraging students to “give to gain” through peer support, volunteering, or advocacy
How to Host a Strong IWD Experience With Your Team
To help your employees get the most out of this year’s International Women’s Day session, we recommend the following structure:
Before the Session
- Organize a team watch party (virtual or in‑person) so colleagues can learn together.
- Share the event link with your employees and encourage them to attend live.
During the Session
- Join us for Give to Gain: Reframing Self‑Advocacy with Melody Wilding, LMSW.
- Invite your team to take notes on insights they want to apply in their day‑to‑day work.
Immediately After the Session
- Encourage all participants to complete the SPEAK Scorecard assessment.
- The assessment helps individuals identify specific communication or self‑advocacy gaps.
- Participants will receive their personalized results by email within 15 minutes, including 3–5 optional discussion questions they can use for team reflection.
In the Days Following the Event
- Melody and her team will review your organization’s aggregated results to identify standout themes.
- She may reach out to your HR or L&D team to share insights and explore whether additional training, coaching, or a team debrief could be helpful.
Invite Your Friends!
- Share the Forté Intentional Women's Day page with your network on social media
- Repost Forté IWD events from Instagram or LinkedIn
- Or create your own post with these images and sample posts:
Everyone benefits when women are supported. Teams get stronger, workplaces get smarter, and communities thrive.
This International Women’s Day, I’m proud to support the work happening at Forté to advance women through events, community, and career resources.
#GiveToGain means:
• Giving visibility by amplifying women’s voices
• Giving opportunity by sponsoring women into leadership roles
• Giving courage by challenging the status quo
• Giving partnership by building more inclusive workplaces
When we advocate for women, we expand what’s possible for everyone.
If you’re looking for ways to grow your career or support others, I encourage you to explore Forté’s upcoming events and resources: https://www.fortefoundation.org/iwd/?utm_source=forte&utm_medium=promokitsocial&utm_campaign=iwd
#IWD2026 #InternationalWomensDay #MoreWomenLeading
This International Women’s Day, we're reflecting on how powerful it is when women use their voices — not just for themselves, but to expand opportunity for everyone.
That’s why I’m excited that Forté is hosting a special conversation, Give to Gain: Reframing Self-Advocacy, on March 9.
In this free webinar, we'll share practical strategies to:
✨ Communicate your achievements with confidence
✨ Make sure your work is recognized
✨ Advocate for yourself while uplifting others
If you’ve ever struggled with speaking up or owning your impact, this is a great opportunity to learn and grow. Join us: https://www.fortefoundation.org/event/give-to-gain-reframing-self-advocacy/?utm_source=forte&utm_medium=promokitsocial&utm_campaign=webinar
#IWD2026 #GiveToGain #InternationalWomensDay #MoreWomenLeading
Support Women’s Leadership This International Women’s Day
When you give to Forté, you help create the networks, resources, and opportunities that allow women to rise—and bring others with them. In the spirit of Give to Gain, your contribution fuels scholarships, community programs, and leadership development initiatives that open doors for women at every stage of their journey.
Your generosity strengthens a global movement for More Women Leading.
Being an advocate for women isn’t about performative support — it’s about meaningful action that reshapes systems. When allies give their commitment to equity, women gain access and opportunity. And when women rise, businesses gain stronger performance, deeper engagement, and more resilient leadership.In 2026, Forté invites all advocates to embrace #GiveToGain as a daily practice. Because when you give your advocacy, your awareness, and your influence, you help build a future where everyone gains.
