IWF Global Leadership Fellows Program
IWF’s world-class Leadership Fellows Program accelerates the path to the C-suite for women across all sectors. It is custom built for leaders 3-5 years away from the most senior roles in their professions.
The Program was developed in direct response to the 1991 US Glass Ceiling Report, which identified three key barriers that restrict the potential of women leaders:
- Limited access to professional networks
- Inadequate leadership training
- Lack of mentors
Launched in 1994, the Leadership Fellows Program provides high potential women with networking opportunities through IWF conferences, assigns mentors from our roster of outstanding members and includes bespoke executive education at both Harvard and INSEAD. Annual classes of Leadership Fellows are sponsored by companies, local Forums or individuals and selected by an international review committee of IWF members. Each year, IWF accelerates the career paths of accomplished women leaders through its Leadership Fellows Program, a year-long, intensive leadership development experience.
IWF BC Fellows
2025/26 Fellow – Gwen Martin
Gwen Martin is an accomplished entrepreneur and global business leader whose career spans service with the British Armed Forces, corporate leadership with Philips Lighting, and entrepreneurial innovation. She is the Co-Founder of Evolution Group of Companies and Chief Executive Officer of Blastramp and Silverback Systems, where she has built a portfolio of software solutions and third-party logistics programs serving international brands across multiple sectors.
Her career began as a civilian in the Media Operations division at the British Joint Forces Headquarters in Germany, where she learned the value of clarity and communication under pressure. After 15 years in senior management roles in engineering, software development, and supply chain, Gwen transitioned to entrepreneurship in 2010. Since then, she has co-founded five successful companies and a not-for-profit foundation. Central to their success is her philosophy of creating workplaces where people thrive, fostering a culture of inclusivity, celebration, and respect.
Her leadership extends beyond the private sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gwen designed and implemented critical programs for Government Ministries and the Provincial Health Service Authority in British Columbia, including rapid antigen test and PPE distribution for non-acute care locations. She also developed a clinic distribution program for BC Cancer’s HPV and Liquid Based Cytology initiatives, further demonstrating her ability to mobilize complex systems and deliver impact at scale in service to public health.
A graduate of Keele University with a Joint Honours degree in German, Russian, and European Studies, Gwen is multilingual and has studied, worked, and lived across Western and Eastern Europe before emigrating to Canada in 1998. She has championed programs that provide resources and opportunities for underrepresented groups and actively supports organizations that strengthen families, education, and local development. A passionate advocate for women in leadership, Gwen has created pathways for women to succeed within her companies, ensuring their voices and talents are recognized and elevated.
Gwen draws inspiration from mentors, family, and a lifelong commitment to learning, while living by the principle that “anything is possible through conversation and collaboration.”
2024/25 Fellow – Friba Rezayee
Friba Rezayee is the founder and the Executive Director of Women Leaders of Tomorrow and its leadership in sports project GOAL (Girls of Afghanistan Lead). She was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. At the age of 18, she made history by competing in Judo at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as Afghanistan’s first ever female Olympic athlete.
Friba’s participation in the Olympics brought Afghanistan back to the world stage in sports after the fall of the Taliban. She inspired hundreds of other Afghan girls to join different sports, in a sports revolution for Afghan female athletes.
Friba has resided in Vancouver, Canada since 2011 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Friba has been an outspoken and passionate advocate for women and girls’ education, gender equality, human rights, and women’s rights in Afghanistan and worldwide from an early age to present. She also worked as an educator in the Vancouver, Canada public school system.
Friba launched the Afghan Women’s Employment Program at YWCA Metro Vancouver, and served as a manager for the program for one year in Vancouver BC.
Friba received her professional Judo coaching certificate from Judos in Japan in November 2023. She is the first woman to attend a coaching seminar, and obtain a coaching certificate in the sports of Judo from Afghanistan.
In addition to that, she has NCCP level 1 certificate in the sports of Judo, along with certificate to teach women self defense from Judo Canada.
🔸December 2024 Interview with Gloria Macarenko, On The Coast, CBC Radio
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