Nominations will commence soon! Stay tuned!
IPWS recommends familiarizing yourself with the WLA Criteria Guidelines below and reading through the nomination category requirements. The WLA Jury will only consider complete applications that meet the award criteria.
Nomination Forms received after the nomination period will not be considered.
Please select only one category per nomination.
Complete the form in English. The organizer has the right to reject uncompleted forms.
Following the review of all nominations, the Jury will select two finalists for each WLA category, except for the category Lifetime Achievement where the jury will directly select one winner.
The finalists and all nominees will be notified on or before July 1st, 2024
In July 2024 (the final date and location to be confirmed when Finalists are announced) the finalists will be required to represent themselves in front of the Jury for a 30-minute in-person session.
The Jury will select the winner of each award category based on the nominees’ presentations, and their recognized accomplishments submitted beforehand through the nomination process.
The winners will be announced at the Women Leadership Awards Ceremony, a celebratory event which will be held in Shanghai on September Details to be announced soon.
If you have questions regarding the IPWS Women Leadership Award and the nomination process, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected]
IPWS Women Leadership Awards 2024 have detailed Criteria Guidelines for all Leadership Categories, making the selection process clear and accountable for the WLA Jury.
These representatives have reviewed the respective award criteria and have worked together with IPWS to ensure the criteria and nomination requirements are suitable for each award.
These supporting organizations and individuals will have the distinct honor to present the award to the winner at the Women Leadership Award Ceremony on June in Shanghai. All Candidates must submit the online nomination form including:
- Short Biography
- Photograph of Candidate
- Nomination Materials and Required Documents, to be submitted in English
Please email [email protected] for any questions on the Criteria Guidelines.2
Award Criteria Details
AWARD CRITERIA: Corporate Business Leader of the Year Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently work/reside in China, remotely work in China, or have worked/resided in China in the past and set up or worked for a company/organization which is still running, and this person still has strong connection to/influence over this company/organization.
- At least 15 years of Professional Experience.
- Executive level position (VP and above.
- Recognized by others as an exceptional leader and mentor.
Nomination Requirements:
A story-based essay of 500-750 words (min/max), that elaborates on:
- Documented contribution to the company, job function and/or industry.
- Implements an inclusive company culture.
Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
- Thought Leadership: critical thinking, identifying new ways to help grow the global business.
- Results Leadership: ensuring that goals turn into action and pay off for the organization.
- People Leadership: growing talent, creating an engaging workplace, building communication and collaboration, influencing others, effectively managing across cultures.
- Personal Leadership: investing in self-development, self-awareness and flexibility, demonstrating credibility and trust, personal integrity.
Questions to keep in mind when nominating someone for Corporate Business Leader:
- Is this person working in a corporate environment where she/he/they is making a change to elevate women?
- Is this person changing the working place?
- Does this person demonstrate evidence of mentoring?
- Does this person create an environment fitting for women (stilling room, etc..)?
- Is this person building a diverse team?
AWARD CRITERIA: SME Business Leader of the Year
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently work/reside in China, remotely work in China, or have worked/resided in China in the past and set up a company/organization which is still running, and this person still has strong connection to/influence over this company/organization.
- At least 5 years of Professional Experience.
- Recognized by others as an exceptional leader and mentor or Founder or Co-Founder of a company in which she is currently engaged in an active role.
- The Company should have sustainable growth and be in operation for at least three years, provide income, and operate successfully in China.
Nomination Requirements:
A story-based essay of 500-750 words (min/max), that elaborates on:
- The background of the founder, why her started and what’s fueling her entrepreneurial spirit.
- The Vision of the organization and where the founder wants to take the business.
- Has demonstrated resilience in developing her business.
Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
- Thought Leadership: critical thinking, identifying new ways to help grow the business Results Leadership: ensuring that goals turn into action and pay off for the organization.
- People Leadership: growing talent, creating an engaging workplace, building communication and collaboration, influencing others, effectively managing across cultures.
- Personal Leadership: investing in self-development, self-awareness and flexibility, demonstrating credibility and trust, personal integrity
Questions to keep in mind when nominating someone for SME Business Leader of the Year:
- Is this person working in a corporate environment where she/he/they is? making a change to elevate women?
- Is this person changing the working place?
- Does this person demonstrate evidence of mentoring?
Does this person create an environment fitting for women (stilling room, etc..) - Is this person building a diverse team?
How is this person using his, her, their skills? - How is this person using business resources to empower women?
AWARD CRITERIA: Social Impact Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently work/reside in China, remotely work in China, or have worked/resided in China in the past and set up or worked for a company/organization which is still running, and this person still has strong connection to/influence over this company/organization.
- Is actively working in the field (either for a not-profit-community/organization or in a traditional business role) for which she is nominated.
Nomination Requirements
A story-based essay of 500-750 words (min/max), that elaborates on how the nominee:
- Has achieved a measurable and sustained contribution to the community or a social cause in China.
- Possesses broad vision and challenges status quo to achieve meaningful results.
Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
- Thought Leadership: critical thinking, identifying new ways to help grow the business Results Leadership: ensuring that goals turn into action and pay off for the organization.
- People Leadership: growing talent, creating an engaging workplace, building communication and collaboration, influencing others, effectively managing across cultures.
- Personal Leadership: investing in self-development, self-awareness and flexibility, demonstrating credibility and trust, personal integrity.
Questions to keep in mind when nominating someone for Social Impact Award:
- Is this person empathetic?
Does this person work for this that are not for profit (pro bono, spare time)? - Is this person making a difference (profit or nonprofit)?
- Is this person exhibiting evidence of mentoring?
- How is this person bringing women up
- How is this person building inclusive business?
- How is this person creating change within your organization?
AWARD CRITERIA: HeforShe Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently work/reside in China, remotely work in China, or have worked/resided in China in the past and set up or worked for a company/organization which is still running, and this person still has strong connection to/influence over this company/organization.
- A male leader that is a demonstrated ‘gender champion’ and exhibits ally ship.
Nomination Requirements:
A story-based essay of 500-750 words (min/max), that elaborates on how the nominee:
- Has achieved a measurable and sustained contribution to the advancement of women & minorities in his organization, industry or community either because of the nature of the business or his initiatives in the organization.
- Displayed a set of behaviors in overcoming inclusion and challenges faced and key strategies for overcoming them.
Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
- Thought Leadership: critical thinking.
- Results Leadership: ensuring that goals turn into action and pay off for the organization.
- People Leadership: growing talent, creating an engaging workplace, building communication and collaboration, influencing others, effectively managing across cultures.
- Personal Leadership: investing in self-development, self-awareness and flexibility, demonstrating credibility and trust, personal integrity.
Questions to keep in mind when nominating someone for HeforShe Award : - How are is this person making a difference in the life of women you work with?
- What are is this person doing to give a voice to women in your organization?
- How is this person educating men supporting women?
- How is this person being the ally women need in your organization?
AWARD CRITERIA: Lifetime Achievement Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently work/reside in China, remotely work in China or have worked/resided in China in the past and set up or work for a company/organization which is still running, and this person still has strong connection to/influence over this company/organization.
- Embodies the mission and values of IPWS: CONNECT. GROW. INSPIRE. LEAD. Empowering female. professionals to shape the future of leadership worldwide. IPWS is a platform for everyone supporting professional female empowerment. Through our events and community of individuals with diverse backgrounds, we build networks, foster personal growth, and develop professionally.
- At least 15 years of Professional Experience in Corporate, as Entrepreneur, Non-Profit, academia or diplomacy.
- Can be given as posthumous to descendants. Can be accepted by spouse/partner.
Nomination Requirements:
- A story-based essay of 500-750 words (min/max), that elaborates on how the nominee: o Has achieved a measurable and sustained contribution to the advancement of women in their organization, industry or community o Is an actor of significant changes at both micro and macro levels within one industry, sector or country.
- Has demonstrated lasting and measurable impact of through her professional accomplishments.
- Has gained notoriety & recognition from peers of her achievement nationwide or industry/sector wide.
- Has actively shaped followers, mentees and people part of her team in the past and the present from her outstanding and sustained leadership capacities o Embodies the mission and values of IPWS.
Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
Thought Leadership: critical thinking.
Results Leadership: ensuring that goals turn into action and pay off for the organization.
People Leadership: growing talent, creating an engaging workplace, building communication and collaboration, influencing others, effectively managing across cultures.
Personal Leadership: investing in self-development, self-awareness and flexibility, demonstrating credibility and trust, personal integrity.
Questions to keep in mind when nominating someone for Lifetime Achievement Award:
- How are is this person making a difference in the life of women you work with?
- What are is this person doing to give a voice to women in your organization?
- How is this person being a sponsor to women in your organization?
