The VVLead Fellowship

THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP
A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
CONNECT LEARN COLLABORATE

OVERVIEW
THERE IS WIDE EVIDENCE THAT INVESTING IN WOMEN IS GOOD FOR COUNTRIES’ ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
REPRESENTS EXCELLENT RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC TERMS.
Numerous studies are beginning to explore the unique benefit of investing specifically in women leaders, as they are more likely to inspire
and mentor others, improve their own lives and the lives of others in their communities and serve as role models for younger women.
In 2013, Vital Voices Global Partnership, with funding from the UK government’s Department of International Development established
the VVLead Fellowship Program to support a global network of emerging and established women leaders who are addressing challenges
and providing innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure full participation in society and the economy.
The VVLead Fellowship Program has offered a tailored fellowship experience designed to fit the needs, goals and objectives of women
leaders around the world.
THE VVLEADFELLOWSHIP
A VARIETY OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED THE PROGRAM PILLARS:
CONNECT LEARN COLLABORATE
THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
CONNECT COLLABORATELEARN
THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM OFFERINGS WERE DESIGNED IN DIRECT RESPONSE
TO FELLOWS’ SELF-IDENTIFIED CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDS.
Each program offering aimed to provide fellows the most relevant, innovative and accessible tools and information available. Using a
blended learning model, VVLead has offered online opportunities on the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform, in-person opportunities in the
various countries where fellows are represented and matching grants to support fellows’ work in their respective communities.

OVERVIEW
VVLead online courses were hosted on the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform. Throughout the three-year fellowship,
subject matter experts led online training on over a dozen course subjects on the D2L platform. The interactive
nature of the D2L provided fellows with a toolbox of resources, ideas, connections and support that could
be tapped into instantly from anywhere in the world.
ONLINE
COURSES
PEER-TO-PEER
EXCHANGES
SOUTH-SOUTH
EXCHANGES
CHALLENGE
GRANTS
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges (P2P) brought together a carefully curated group of 8-12 VVLead fellows for fellow-
led technical training, knowledge sharing and resource sharing. Each four-day program included a site visit
to a participating fellow’s place of work. These site visits evoked deeper discussions in which fellows could
openly share best practices, challenges and potential solutions in their leadership journeys.
The annual South-South Exchange brought together a large group of 50 to 80 of the most active VVLead
fellows for trainer-led and fellow-led resource sharing, knowledge sharing and technical training. The program
allowed fellows across countries and regions to meet in person and build upon connections formed online.
Challenge Grants were short-term, one-time matching grants designed to support the launch and kick-start
of new and innovative initiatives for which fellows may not have previously had the resources to support.
Throughout the three-year fellowship, VVLead offered four Challenge Grant opportunities: Two opportunities
to receive matching funds to organize a mentoring walk (up to $1,000 per grant), one opportunity to receive
matching funds for a social and behavior change communications initiative (up to $5,000 per grant), and
one opportunity to receive matching funds for a technology-based solution (up to $9,000 per grant). All
fellows who applied and received Challenge Grants were required to match a percentage of the funds they
received from the Challenge Grant.
VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM OFFERINGS

OVERVIEW
VITAL VOICES INVESTS IN WOMEN LEADERS WHO IMPROVE THE WORLD. WE INVEST IN LEADERS BECAUSE THEY
TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPROVE SOCIETIES.
The VVLead Fellowship Program has supported a global network of emerging and
established women leaders from developing and emerging economies all over the world.
Fellows differed in language, age and professional background, including nonprofit,
corporate, social enterprise, public office, media outlets and others.
This heterogeneity has been one of the distinctive, unique features of the program.
Fellows reported having highly benefited from the diversity of the program, as it enables
out of the box thinking, meaningful collaboration and holistic leadership mentoring.
LEADERS ENGAGED IN CREATING LASTING CHANGE
Throughout the three-year fellowship,
Vital Voices has trained 330 fellows from
75 countries and five continents.
VVLEAD
FELLOWS
330 75
“The mosaic
of participants
complemented each other
beautifully to draw deep,
long-lasting connections
and impact [together].”
– XIOMARA DIAZ
NICARAGUA
FELLOWS FROM
LATIN AMERICA AND
THE CARIBBEAN38 FELLOWS FROM THE
MIDDLE EAST AND
NORTH AFRICA24
FELLOWS
FROM
AFRICA199
FELLOWS
FROM
ASIA56FELLOWS FROM
THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS3
FELLOWS FROM
EASTERN
EUROPE10
What fellows share is the ability to guide and inspire others, the desire to enhance their leadership skills and a demonstrated
commitment to tackling issues related to three main areas: economic empowerment for women and girls, violence against women
and harmful cultural practices.

FELLOWS AT A GLANCE
Sophie works with poor and marginalized grassroots groups in the slums of Nairobi. As a
child, she survived human trafficking, an experience that drove her to support young girls and
women in the effort to end modern slavery in Kenya. She works for Awareness Against Human
Trafficking (HAART), where, among other things, she coordinated the biggest rescue operation
in the history of the organization, managing the return of 31 trafficked women from Libya.
SOPHIE OTIENDE – KENYA
“After working on the strategic plan [VVLead Strategic Planning course], we have managed to almost triple our funding from
last year. Just last week, we managed to get a huge grant that will allow us to work on a manual for child trafficking. Our
arts project was a huge success and we are planning for next year and we already have partners for that. I have learned so
much and the knowledge has transformed the way we operate the organization.”
VVLEAD FELLOWS
AT A GLANCE
María has always been interested in creative arts. During her university studies, María realized
that media work should be an act of social responsibility. In 2009, after having successful and
instructive collaborations in different varieties of media, María co-founded Math2me.com, a
website that provides math videos and explanations to students of all grades in Mexico. In
2012, she founded Math2meTV, a TV show that broadcasts the videos from math2me.com
for audiences with no internet access.
MARÍA GONZALEZ – MEXICO
“I have been involved with financial trainings about business. It has a methodology that is very rigid and strict. Basically,
all of these [other] organizations are the same. The difference with VVLead, they are taking into consideration the personal
side...If you know about your business and your technical information [but] you are not really solid or focused or in balance,
there is going to be something missing. There will be a flaw or failure because you are not prepared.”

FELLOWS AT A GLANCE
Shareefa is an entrepreneur with a history of pioneering new programs for women in Qatar and
the Gulf Cooperation Council. She is the co-founder of the Roudha Center for Entrepreneurship
and Innovation, a nonprofit providing innovative programs and advocacy for women looking
to open or grow their businesses. She also works directly with organizations and companies
to advocate for women’s economic development, and provide marketing and business
development consulting.
SHAREEFA FADHEL – QATAR
“Being part of this fellowship has helped me understand my strength as a leader and the support and influence I have among
other women and how that could help them grow as well as help me grow myself…My boundaries are not my country, my
boundaries are not where I come from. My boundaries are every other woman that I can help and support.”
A journalist with two decades of experience, Patralekha has reported from dozens of countries
for Indian and international media on social and development issues. Her columns are
among the very few in India which consistently focus on issues impacting women’s rights
and empowerment. Recently, Patralekha has drawn public attention to female feticide, rape
and marginalization of women.
PATRALEKHA CHATTERJEE – INDIA
“Being part of this international network of women leaders working in diverse disciplines is extremely empowering […]
Belonging to the VVLead network is encouraging and it has influenced my leadership style by helping me stay focused on
my driving mission all the time. […] As a VVLead Fellow, I feel encouraged and inspired by interactions with my colleagues
during webinars and on social media platforms.”
VVLEAD FELLOWS
AT A GLANCE

THROUGHOUT THE THREE YEARS OF THE PROGRAM,
VVLEAD HAS FACILITATED CONNECTIONS AMONG
WOMEN LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD.
The program has provided fellows with multiple ways to get to know each
other and develop connections. Through online and in-person program
offerings, in tandem with social networking platforms, fellows have bonded
overcommonchallengesandpassionsandsharedbestpracticesasitrelates
toimprovingthesocial,economicandpoliticalconditionsforwomenandgirls.
THE POWER OF AN INTERNATIONAL ALL FEMALE NETWORK
CONNECT
Fellows consistently mentioned the inspiration they receive from being part of a non-
competitive, supportive network of women, helping each other achieve their personal
and professional leadership goals.
Through VVLead, a sisterhood was created, fellows were validated as leaders, professional
goals and action steps were clearly defined, and fellows took action toward achieving
greater impact in their communities. These specific aspects of the VVLead Fellowship
have been studied and described in the practice note Stories of Impact: The Case for
Women’s Leadership Networks.
“When I reflect on my VVLead
experience I think of the African
proverb, ‘if you want to go quickly,
go alone and if you want to go
farther, go together.’ So I felt that
being in this atmosphere of [other
women] gave me the knowledge
and courage to involve my
community in what I’m doing so
we can move forward and achieve
what we want.”
– Jawida Mansour, Palestine

Since debuting in March 2013, VVLead’s
Facebook group has received:
“I think the international perspective is really useful because you are
able to understand a different approach to how it’s done in literally every
conceivable country. You are probably bound to find somebody who has
an opinion or can give you a tip on how it’s done in their country and
that’s really refreshing because it really challenges you to think beyond
your boundaries, country boundaries and continental boundaries, and
just have a global vision.”
– Muthoni Nduhiu, Kenya
“I’ve got women on the VVLead Platform that are keeping me accountable
and checking back with me regarding where I am in my process.”
– Jacqueline Mathaga, Kenya
“Being a VVLead Leader has really opened up the vista of my ideas of
leadership because before I thought it was just about getting resources
for my organization and now I realize it’s about relationship building.”
– Oreoluwa Somolu, Nigeria
CONNECTTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
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VVLEAD’S IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING INTERVENTIONS
WERE VITAL TO THE FELLOWSHIP’S CAPACITY-BUILDING MISSION.
The use of an interactive online platform was a cost-effective way to
provide learning opportunities for a large number of women. The most
active fellows also had the opportunity to engage in at least one in-person
training, where they strengthened skills and solidified connections.
On the DESIRE2LEARN (D2L) platform, fellows have been able to
access program resources, get information on new opportunities,
exchange ideas and attend webinars. For fellows with inconsistent
or limited internet connectivity, every course was stored and easily
downloadable on the platform. Over a dozen course subjects have
been delivered throughout the fellowship by subject matter experts.
Included among these subjects have been: Strategic Planning,
Human Resource Management, Strategic Planning, Financial
Management, Branding, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Media
Communications and Fundraising.
To facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices,
fellows were invited to participate in in-person gatherings designed
to foster technical, communication and leadership skills. Each year,
VVLead organized three to four PEER-TO-PEEREXCHANGES during
which a small cohort of fellows were hand selected to participate in
a diverse set of programming opportunities including Vital Voices
staff-led workshops; fellow-led trainings; networking; and more. The
core aspects of the VVLead Peer-to-Peer learning model have been
described in VVLead Practice Note: Peer to Peer (P2P) Exchange:
Best Practices for Designing Learning Exchanges.
In addition, fifty to eighty of the most active fellows were selected
every year to attend the annual South-South Exchange. These
programs were carefully designed around the attending fellows.
These intensive programs aimed at equipping fellows with new
knowledge, tools, connections, strategies and ideas to tackle their
personal and professional leadership goals.
In addition, fifty to eighty of the most active fellows were selected
every year to attend the annual SOUTH-SOUTH EXCHANGE. These
larger gatherings have brought together fellows from all over the
world to discuss technical issue areas, challenges, best practices
and lessons learned, both from their individual work and their
participation in the program.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND EXCHANGING BEST PRACTICES
LEARNTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

“The P2P Exchange is an opportunity to stretch your brain
and let knowledge in.”
– Nicole Joseph-Chin, Trinidad and Tobago
I think VVLead’s approach is unique. The webinars, the
in-person workshops. […] It’s the whole package.”
– Judith Awondo, Cameroon
“Webinars and the information I gained from them
supported my ideas but also provided framework for
proper organization of my efforts. Also, peer to peer
exchanges generated great inspiration and impetus to
create a new initiative.”
– Ljudmila Popovic, Montenegro
LEARNTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
According to the results of the 2015
year-end survey, 99% of VVLead
fellows reported an increase in capacity
relevant to their respective mission and
work.
99%
In 2015, 95% of VVLead fellows
participated in at least one program
activity and 85% in at least three
program activities.
95%

THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, FELLOWS HAVE CONNECTED,
SHARED KNOWLEDGE, RECEIVED TRAINING AND MENTORED ONE ANOTHER.
As a result of their participation in VVLead, fellows across regions and sectors have
started collaborations with one another.
COLLABORATE
CREATING SOLUTIONS ACROSS REGIONS AND SECTORS
NICOLE JOSEPH CHIN of Ms. Brafit, Inc. (Trinidad
and Tobago) and XIOMARA DIAZ HOPKINS of
Garden Café (Nicaragua) met during the Peer-
to-Peer Exchange in Argentina. Right away, they
decidedtostartacollaborationtogivegirlsintheir
communities an opportunity to learn from one
another. They created the “Beading Exchange
between Nicaragua and Trinidad” (BENT). BENT,
inspired by the VVLead Peer-to-Peer Exchange
model, is an online collaboration that connects
at-risk girls from Trinidad and Tobago and
Nicaragua. Every Saturday, the girls connect
via Skype to exchange skills, language and
culture. The program, which kicked-off in August
2015, has both an entrepreneurial and personal
development focus. Girls learn how to make craft
beads to create sustainable employment and are
educated on topics of marketing and sales, but
also learn about topics such as feminine health,
hygiene, life skills and leadership.
NICOLE AND
XIOMARA
EMPOWERING GIRLS IN NICARAGUA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
“We met in Argentina during the Peer-to-Peer Exchange and the rest is geography! Global sisters speak one language!
Our girls in Trinidad and Tobago are engaging in a rich exchange with new sisters in Nicaragua, thanks to Xiomara Diaz
Hopkins and her willingness to embrace true sisterhood of empowerment and leadership.”
–NICOLE JOSEPH-CHIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

COLLABORATE
“For me, collaboration is the key…I believe the problem is so big – you’re never going to solve it yourself. The more
effective collaborations you have, the better it is. If you think of the cohort as a team, in certain places, they have had more
experiences than me. I just have to take a back seat and be open to learning. In other places, I have strengths or skills that
they don’t have. It is up to me to share it with them.”
–ELSAMARIE D’SILVA, INDIA
VVLead fellows JANE ANYANGO ODONGO
(Kenya) and ELSAMARIE D’SILVA (India) met at
a Peer-to Peer-Exchange in Nepal and started
exchanging information, ideas and know-how
on denouncing and ultimately tackling sexual
violence and harassment in their respective
countries. Jane is the founder and team leader
of Polycom Development Project, a community-
based organization aimed at empowering
young women in Kibera (Nairobi) to be able
to manage their lives positively and develop a
voice to influence policy and decision makers on
issues that affect the lives of girls. Elsa launched
Safecity in 2012, a platform that crowdsources
personal stories of sexual harassment and abuse
in public spaces. The platform aggregates data
to highlight hot spots on a map indicating
trends of sexual harassment. Individuals and
local authorities can access this tool to receive
information, identify trends and ultimately
develop responses and preventative strategies
against sexual violence and harassment.
In 2015, Elsa and Jane received a VVLead
Challenge Grant. Through this grant, Elsa
consulted with Jane in developing, adapting
and implementing an online platform to monitor
and respond to sexual harassment in Kenya,
modeled after Safecity in India.
JANE AND
ELSA
MAKING CITIES SAFER IN INDIA AND KENYA

ABOUT VITAL VOICES
Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in women leaders who
improve the world. Founded by former U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton, and guided by the belief that women are
essential to progress in their communities, we partner with leaders
from more than 140 countries who advance economic opportunity,
increase political and public leadership, and end violence against
women. Our programs in strategic planning, business, advocacy
and communications build critical skills needed for creating
transformational change at scale. Through our global platform,
women leaders expand their connections and visibility, accelerating
shared progress for all.
AUTHORS:
LUCINA DI MECO
Senior Program Manager
Global Programs
Vital Voices Global Partnership
JANA SPACEK
Senior Program Coordinator
Global Programs
LAURA THOMPSON
Program Coordinator
Global Programs
ELYSE GAINOR
Program Assistant
Global Programs
ELIZABETH ANDREWS
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Global Programs
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We want to extend a special thank you to
VVLead fellows. This publication would
not have been possible without their
feedback, stories, ideas and commitment
during their participation years in this
fellowship program.
Vital Voices also gracefully acknowledges
the support of the UK Government’s
Department for International
Development (DfID).
THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP

The VVLead Fellowship

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