The Cartier Women’s Initiative celebrated its 20th anniversary in Bangkok, Thailand, culminating in its annual awards ceremony at Chulalongkorn University.
The event honoured the 2026 fellows of the Maison’s international programme dedicated to women impact entrepreneurs, forming part of a week-long celebration that included the Cartier Dialogues and an immersive exhibition.
Under the theme, “Women Lighting the Path”, the 2026 edition recognised women entrepreneurs whose courage, creativity and commitment drive social and environmental impact at both local and global levels.
Empowering women entrepreneurs
Established in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is built on the conviction that empowered women transform society.
Over 20 years, the programme has expanded its reach, supporting women entrepreneurs addressing critical global challenges and fostering an international community rooted in solidarity, shared experiences and mutual inspiration.
To date, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported 330 women impact entrepreneurs from 67 countries, awarded US$14.1mil in funding, and connected over 520 active community members across more than 80 countries.
The awards ceremony saw over 700 guests, including Cartier Women’s Initiative community members, international press, changemakers, local entrepreneurship stakeholders, and distinguished personalities.
Hosted by writer and gender equality champion Sandi Toksvig, the evening opened with a film setting the tone for a ceremony imagined as a journey through light and collective action.
Following opening remarks by Cartier South-East Asia and Oceania CEO Yanina Novitskaya, the ceremony highlighted the journeys of the 30 fellows from 19 countries of the 2026 edition.
The fellows’ entrepreneurial stories were brought to life through three segments.
These segments illuminated the initial spark behind each venture, the critical societal and environmental challenges their businesses confronted, the innovative breakthroughs and the guiding people, principles or ideals that inspired their path.
This was marked by the trophy presentations and a tribute to the long-standing partners and supporters of the Initiative.
Speeches from Cartier culture and philanthropy chairperson Cyrille Vigneron and Football Association of Thailand president Nualphan Lamsam, who is also FIFA’s development committee chairperson, underscored the importance of empowering women.
“In 20 years, the Cartier Women’s initiative has not only evolved, but thrived.
“From an award-giving platform to a global supporting community, the initiative keeps helping its members and their businesses to grow.
“Most of the fellows’ businesses continue to operate and many scale up, positively impacting millions of people,” said Vigneron.
Nualphan stated: “Real change happens when we have the courage to step into spaces where we are told we don’t belong, not to fit into broken structures, but to help change them.
“Trust is earned by standing your ground when things get difficult.”
The ceremony concluded with a compelling keynote address from Amal Clooney, co-founder of the Clooney Foundation for Justice, who emphasised the transformative power of courage and advocacy for human rights and a more equitable world.
She praised the fellows, stating: “I’ve seen how the Cartier Women’s Initiative fellowship not only accelerates these brilliant women’s careers, but also creates a sisterhood committed to helping each other through its powerful community.”
The evening closed with an inspiring performance by the Bangkok Dance Academy.
The 2026 Awards
Thirty women entrepreneurs were honoured across 10 categories, including nine regional awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award.
The Awards recognise women-led businesses addressing urgent social and environmental challenges, with the 2026 edition including the first-ever fellow from Nepal.
First-place awardees receive a US$100,000 grant, while second- and third-place awardees receive US$60,000 and US$30,000 respectively.
Beyond financial support, all 30 fellows will benefit from a comprehensive one-year fellowship programme, as well as lifelong access to the Cartier Women’s Initiative global community.
An immersive exhibition complemented the ceremony, exploring the Cartier Women’s Initiative’s 20-year impact and community.
It showcased the journeys of 20 fellows whose ventures tackle challenges from biodiversity and healthcare to education, inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.
Interactive “cabinets of curiosities” and a dedicated space featured impact-driven objects by Cartier Women’s Initiative fellows and selected Thai women entrepreneurs from a local programme with Chulalongkorn University.
An anniversary film concluded the exhibition, celebrating the programme’s legacy and the vitality of women’s entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Preceding the awards was the Cartier Dialogues at Dusit Thani Bangkok, gathering 140 guests exploring leadership under the “Women Lighting the Path” theme.
The first dialogue, “Unveiling Brilliance: Imposter Syndrome & The Path to Authentic Leadership,” featured Vigneron and Lisa Orbé-Austin, a psychologist, executive coach and organisational consultant, discussing imposter syndrome as both an individual and systemic challenge.
The second, “Strength Reimagined: Leadership, Kindness and the Courage to Defy Expectations,” included Vigneron, Amal and Ramla Ali, the Olympian boxer, filmmaker and Unicef UK ambassador, addressing stereotypes of strength and the role of education, legal protection, and allyship in empowering women.
The 2027 edition will again feature nine regional awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award.
Selected fellows will receive financial, social and human capital support to accelerate their businesses and leadership.
They will be announced in 2027 and celebrated at the next Cartier Women’s Initiative awards in Amsterdam.
