Conversation with Gwen K. Young

How your work helps advance opportunities for women in leadership:

As CEO of the Women Business Collaborative, I lead a powerful alliance of organizations and leaders working to ensure women achieve equal position, pay, and power across the business landscape. Our programs, summits, and partnerships focus on breaking down barriers and accelerating women’s advancement into executive leadership and corporate board roles. 

One piece of advice from a mentor that has had a lasting impact:

“Speak even when your voice shakes.” That advice reminded me that courage often precedes confidence, and that leadership is about showing up fully—even before you feel completely ready.

How a sponsor or advocate has shaped your professional growth:

Having a sponsor who believed in my vision opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Their advocacy in rooms I wasn’t in helped position me for leadership roles and amplified my impact in ways I couldn’t have achieved alone. They often brought opportunities and ideas to myself.

Two persistent barriers that still limit progress for women in the workplace:

1. Persistent biases that do not allow for equal opportunity in processes and policies like professional development to family leave
2. Lack of women in senior leadership roles

Three values or principles that guide your work and life:

1. Equity – ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
2. Collaboration – collective action leads to greater change.
3. Integrity – doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

One common misunderstanding about efforts to create inclusive workplaces:

True inclusion is about making sure people of all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging and have equitable access to opportunity. Inclusion goes beyond numbers to ensuring that there is trust and belonging in the workplace.

What you’re most excited about this year:

I’m excited to launch new initiatives at WBC focused on women in sports, technology, and capital access—areas where leadership opportunities are expanding and where women must have a seat at the table. These areas will be showcased at our Annual Action for Impact Summit which takes places virtually from September 15-19, 2025.

 Progress you’d like to see in workplace leadership this year:

I want to see more companies tie leadership goals of inclusivity to executive performance metrics—so that progress for women and people of color becomes a strategic imperative, not just a talking point.

One piece of advice for strengthening workplace culture or creating lasting impact:

Start by listening—really listening. Sustainable change happens when leaders co-create solutions with their teams and model the culture they wish to build.

About

Gwen K. Young is the CEO of Women Business Collaborative