1. STORIES OF IMPACT
THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS

2. STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS OVERVIEW
FUNDED BY THE UK’S DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID), THE VVLEAD
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DEVELOPED OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS TO SERVE AND ENGAGE
A GLOBAL NETWORK OF EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED WOMEN LEADERS WHO FOCUS ON ONE OF
THREE KEY ISSUE AREAS: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, HARMFUL CULTURAL PRACTICES, AND
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.
Launched in late 2012, VVLead set out to test and implement a new and innovative
model for women’s leadership development programs. VVLead’s in-person and
virtual programming interventions were vital to the fellowship’s capacity-building
mission. The interactive nature of the online platform provided fellows with a toolbox
of resources, ideas, connections and support that could be tapped into instantly
from anywhere in the world, while the in-person exchanges solidified learnings,
connections and collaborative efforts among fellows.
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.
330 FELLOWS
To date, the Fellowship has engaged
330 fellows across the globe.
DOCUMENTARIAN PROJECT OVERVIEW
VVLead’s Documentarian Project was developed in 2014 to gain a deeper understanding of how the program influenced
its fellows’ leadership trajectories, as well as explore program outcomes through a descriptive and contextual lens.
Much of VVLead’s quantitative data captured changes in skill levels, connections made, and beneficiaries impacted throughout fellows’
tenure in the program. The qualitative nature of this project, however, allowed VVLead to better understand how the program’s various
activities and interventions led to these changes, and as a result, greater impact in their communities. While the case studies highlighted
VVLead’s three overarching pillars – connect, learn and collaborate – they also captured other unique and unanticipated outcomes of
women’s leadership networks: sisterhood, validation, goal mapping and goal actualization. These four outcomes played a positive role
in shaping fellows’ individual trajectories and propelled them towards achieving their leadership and professional potential.
To capture a diversity of voices and perspectives, VVLead utilized a participatory evaluation approach that resulted in 36 individual
case studies that underscore fellows’ experiences in the fellowship. The following case study excerpts highlight some of our fellows’
stories and voices, and ultimately, make the case for investing in women’s leadership networks.
For more information on the methodology used and lessons learned from the Documentarian Project, and to view the entire report,
please visit bit.ly/1SyDidP

3. SISTERHOOD
VVLead’s all-women’s leadership network created a space where fellows inspired to take professional risks in
front of a non-competitive cohort of other professional women. Having a space and platform to openly share
professional goals, challenges and needs – and subsequently receive encouragement, support and resources from
a global network of women – gave some the motivation they needed to embark on a new professional endeavor,
take on a leadership position, or expand the scope of their work.
SISTERHOOD
“I don’t feel competition. I do
feel that every woman who I am
connecting with sincerely wants
to help.”
“Sometimes [in a mixed-sex organization] you feel you’re getting that patronizing support,
a little pat on the head for doing something really well that people didn’t think you would
do well because you’re a woman. In an all-female network, you get a big applause. [There
is this] ‘I’m behind you because I know you can do it, and guess what, I think I can do it
too because I’ve seen you do it.’”
“[Being a part of the VVLead Program] was a turning point in
my life because I realized that I’m not alone. There are people
supporting me.”
– AMINA EVANGELISTA
SWANEPOEL
PHILIPPINES
– LUMBIWE LIMBIKANI
ZAMBIA
– JENNY SCHWARTZ
ARGENTINA
STORIES
OF IMPACT
SISTERHOOD
VALIDATION
STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING

4. Through VVLead, Muthoni reports having gained her “sense
of driving force,” as well as the deep vision and mission for
Mastermind Africa Alliance (MAA), the nonprofit organization
she founded that promotes women’s economic empowerment
across Africa. Muthoi applied to VVLead at the end of 2013
and was accepted into the 2014 Class. About MAA, she said,
“Armed with my conviction on the difference I wanted to make
in women’s lives, plus the affirmation from being accepted
into the fellowship program, I began the online trainings with
growing the company in mind.”
MUTHONI NDUHIU
KENYA
SISTERHOOD
In September 2014, Muthoni registered
the organization, created a website and
began reaching out to clients. She also
formed a team by reconnecting with
some of the women she met through
theMoremiFellowshipandinspiringthem
to get involved in the project.
Through VVLead, Muthoni reports having
had the opportunity to be involved in
a “continual learning and supportive
process.” Inhermind,VVLeadisuniquein
its long-term, individualized commitment
to the fellows. Through the online
platform, Muthoni attended webinars
on Monitoring and Evaluation, Strategic
Planning, and Vision and Goal Setting,
among many others. The possibility to
always access the online platform has also
been helpful to Muthoni, as it serves as
a refresher of the lessons she learned in
previous years.
Muthoni says she draws her inspiration
from the encounters with the other high
achieving VVLead fellows with whom she
connects with daily. Through VVLead she
has developed personal and professional
relationships with other powerful women,
from whom she receives “unconditional
help” for her organization. These women
haveprovidedherwithsupportindefining
her life and professional goals, kept her
“on track,” and improved her ability to
make decisions and focus on her vision
for the MAA.
Overall, Muthoni says she learned to trust
her vision and transformed Mastermind
Africa Alliance from a free time activity
to a true life mission as a result of
VVLead. Thanks to the sisterhood she
felt within the network, and the help and
the encouragement she received from
VVLead, Muthoni also reports having
gained clarity on her vision and learned
to be bolder and more self-confident in
her decision making.
STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
SISTERHOOD VALIDATION GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING

5. VALIDATION
VALIDATION
“The association with Vital Voices has
enhanced my credibility, leadership and
business clout…I am also gaining the
visibility I need as the ‘go to person’
when it comes to issues relating to
coaching and mentoring.”
“Before I became a VVLead fellow I used to be
just an echo, but now I am a voice! I used to
just exist as one of those NGOs that deal with
women and gender issues, but now I am a voice,
I am an authority to be reckoned with.”
– TAMALA CHIRWA
MALAWI
– ASMAU BENZIES-LEO
NIGERIA
STORIES
OF IMPACT
STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
SISTERHOOD VALIDATION GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING
Many fellows reported that simply being associated as a VVLead fellow led to increased visibility and recognition as
leaders, as well as credibility, by their peers and professional networks. This external validation led many fellows
to recognize their leadership potential, with many women starting to see themselves as leaders for the first time,
which ultimately led them to take bold actions steps within their communities, businesses and organizations.
VALIDATION

6. Teina Mackenzie is an exceptional example of a community organizer,
environmental and youth advocate, and political reformer in not only the
CookIslands,butglobally.AsaCookIslander,Teinahasbroughttogether
her community through the dissemination of knowledge regarding deep
sea mining and issues related to a changing climate. She also recently
represented her island nation by sailing a traditional Polynesian vessel
from the Cook Islands to New Zealand and Australia in order to bring
global attention to the Pacific Islanders’ ongoing struggles with the
effects of climate change and rising sea levels.
TEINA MACKENZIE
COOK ISLANDS
VALIDATION
Teina’s current focus has centered on
educating communities in the Cook Islands
and the Pacific region on the impact of
deep sea mining endeavors through youth
debates. This initiative not only involves
local youth, but invites the community,
politicians and representatives from
the deep sea mining corporations to
participate. By providing local youth with
the opportunity to become involved in
politics, Teina hopes to both encourage
the students’ interests in the environment
and to develop the students’ educational
goals through empowerment and capacity
building. These debates have been
successful in the region because they
facilitate a balanced and non-threatening
environment for local communities to voice
their concerns.
VVLead has provided Teina with a sense
of validation through both the capacity
building exercises and the recognition as
a leader in her own right. This experience
was afforded to Teina at the South-South
Exchange, an in-person capacity building
program where fellows from all over the
world gathered for a week. She recalled,
“I felt noticed, cared for, and appreciated.
Having such genuine attention from my
peers gave me more self-esteem and
definitely more fervor to go out and make
positive change in the world.”
A political future seems imminent for the
community leader. With a strong sense of
personal drive, Teina’s focus is on reforming
local politics to focus on the interests of
the communities represented. Through her
involvement with VVLead, Teina has gained
a sense of validation and empowerment
which she uses to pursue her goal of
becoming a political leader for her country.
VALIDATION
STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
SISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING

7. VALIDATION
GOAL MAPPING
“Before I joined the VVLead
Program I had too much energy
with blurred image and that wasn’t
taking me [anywhere]…but now I
know where I can find myself in five
years. For me, this was a big step.
At this stage of my life I feel like I
have the map and compass of my
life, which means I know where I will
go next and [I] already know where
my next destination is.”
“The VVLead Fellowship Program redirected my course
and focus. I found out through the course that I was not
the only one with a challenge to achieve something for
the good of mankind. There were many other women who
had gone through worse and stood tall and strong. I now
feel empowered and energized.”
– NEBIAT ASSEFA
ETHIOPIA
– MARA BUA JOHNSON
UGANDA
STORIES
OF IMPACT
STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
SISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING
Many fellows entered VVLead with a blurred vision for their future. Throughout various online courses and in-person
exchanges, fellows had the opportunity to define their leadership and professional goals and outline strategic
action steps for achieving said goals. This was especially helpful for those women who were spread too thin by
competing priorities and were instead encouraged to focus their vision and streamline their efforts.
GOAL MAPPING

8. Jaki applied to VVLead at a time when she felt isolated as a woman
in a top management position. She was seeking a space where
she could talk to and seek advice from other women about work.
She also wanted to make a difference, but did not know at the
time how to go about doing so considering the monetary and time
constraints she faces as a single mother. “The Fellowship has
been filling my need to constantly learn and network,” said Jaki.
“This is where I have also developed the courage to work more
on my personal passion – autism.”
JAKI MATHAGA
KENYA
Her son Jayden was diagnosed with
autism at the age of five, and since then
Jaki has become an outspoken advocate
for children and parents affected by
autism. Her dream is to ensure that all
autistic children in Kenya have access to
the therapies and services they need to
reach their full potential. Jaki has since
become an active member of the Kenya
Autism Alliance (KAA), a Facebook group
made up of Kenyan parents who seek
and provide support and information to
one another. Currently, Jaki serves as the
President of the KAA.
One of Jaki’s biggest challenges is
securing enough funding so that she
can work on autism issues fulltime. As
such, one of her short-term goals is to
develop a fundraising and business plan
that will allow her to support her and
her son if she were to quit her day job.
Currently, Jaki is working one-on-one
with VVLead fellow Tamala Chirwa, a
professional coach who offered fellows
pro bono coaching services. Together,
they have discussed options for securing
additional funding, as well as setting a
firm deadline for when Jaki will make the
jump to autism work fulltime.
Regarding the role that VVLead plays
in supporting her passion, she says,
“Starting the VVLead Fellowship Program
crystallized my thinking and affirmed
my desire to do more…The fellowship is
equipping me with tools to not only do
my day work better, but tools that are
helping me better define my dream and
plan for the future.”
Besides reaching a point where she
believes her son Jayden is getting the
best education and services he needs,
Jaki is determined to expand the support
that KAA can offer other parents. “Vital
Voices was the first place I spoke my
dream out loud and it is where I have
started working on actualizing it. It is
where I am meeting women who tell
me—it does not matter how difficult or
impossible it looks, it can be done.”
GOAL MAPPINGSTORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
VALIDATIONSISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING

9. “I didn’t know what I could do to do more in the work
that I am doing, and learning these skills through the
webinars was very helpful. Now, I’m applying to this,
I’m applying to that. But then, going to the South-
South Exchange and listening to all those stories and
the work everyone else is doing, I’m thinking I am part
of a bigger picture. I’m part of a bigger family that
is working towards the same goal and I think it gave
me a big boost, a big push to do more, to say more,
to interact more, and to talk more about the issues
that I’m very much interested in.”
“Now that I know what I am going to do, I am
taking steps so it’s going to get done…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.”
– LUMBIWE LIMBIKANI
ZAMBIA
– JAKI MATHAGA
KENYA
STORIES
OF IMPACT
GOAL ACTUALIZATIONSTORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
VALIDATIONSISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING
Through targeted interventions – including online courses, in-person exchanges, peer mentoring and challenge
grants –VVLead facilitated an environment that encouraged fellows to take action on their leadership, professional
and organizational goals. The emphasis on strategic planning, coupled with the mentorship and motivation fellows
providedoneanother,ledfellowstoimplementtheirstrategicplansandtakethenecessaryactionstepsforincreasing
the scope and scale of their businesses and organizations, and ultimately, greater impact in their communities.
GOAL ACTUALIZATION

10. Amina is the Founding Executive Director of Roots of
Heath (ROH), an NGO based in Palawan, Philippines that
strives to empower women and girls and improve family
health. The organization provides clinical services to
women in underserved, resource-poor communities
and sexual health education to students and adults
in the community. The organization is guided by the
principal that health is a human right.
AMINA EVANGELISTA SWANEPOEL
PHILIPPINES
In August 2015, Roots of Health turned
six. Over the past two years, the
organization has received a lot of pressure
from funders to expand their programs.
VVLead, through its online courses and
encouraging network of global women
leaders, has played an influential role in
helping Amina develop her management
style so that ROH can expand its scope
and impact.
AminaappliedtoVVLeadatatimeshewas
seeking more professional development.
The lack of conferences and trainings
offered in the area she lives in, coupled
with the fact that she was bogged down
with the day-to-day operations of ROH,
gave her few opportunities to seek new
networks and skills. Similarly, having not
attended business school, she lacked
some necessary management skills and
expertise in successfully directing an
organization. As such, VVLead’s online
courses in Strategic Planning, Human
Resources and Monitoring & Evaluation
have been the most invaluable to her
personal leadership growth.
Amina credits the Strategic Planning
and Human Resources courses with
encouraging her to reflect on and
evaluate how she was leading and
handling the organization. In order for
the organization to grow, Amina must
entrust the day-to-day responsibilities
to senior-level management so that
she can focus on higher level planning
and management of the organization.
“[VVLead] really helped me to view my
role within Roots of Health at a higher
level… rather than being focused on
doing it all myself.” A major decision
she has made since joining VVLead was
create and hire two senior management
positions. This has allowed her to share
some of her responsibilities and delegate
more of her work so that ROH can expand
its services and reach more communities.
Expanding its programming and services
will mean that more people in Palawan will
have access to sexual health information,
contraceptives and maternal health
services.
GOAL ACTUALIZATIONSTORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
VALIDATIONSISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING

11. 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:
ELIZABETH ANDREWS
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Global
Programs, Vital Voices Global Partnership
LUCINA DI MECO
Senior Program Manager, Global Programs,
Vital Voices Global Partnership
LAURA THOMPSON
Program Coordinator, Global Programs, Vital
Voices Global Partnership
ALICIA MASLAR
M&E Fellow, Global Programs, Vital Voices
Global Partnership
SAMANTHA THURBER
M&E Fellow, Global Programs, Vital Voices
Global Partnership
ANNA APPLEBAUM
McLarty Global Fellow, Vital Voices Global
Partnership
EDITING:
YUSHUANG SUN
Intern, Global Programs, Vital Voices Global
Partnership
ELYSE GAINOR
Program Assistant, Global Programs, Vital
Voices Global Partnership
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Developing and implementing the
Documentarian Project required the
participation, commitment and hard work
of our VVLead Documentarian fellows
and their case study subjects. A special
thank you to former and current VVLead
team members for their help, support and
dedication throughout this process.STORIES OF IMPACT: THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
VALIDATIONSISTERHOOD GOAL ACTUALIZATIONGOAL MAPPING