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CHAMPIONING WOMEN OF COLOUR TO LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND CAREERS
ABOUT US
Women of Colour Global Network (WOCGN) is a professional network dedicated to advancing and investing in women of colour (WOC) at all career stages. Equipping them with tools, training and support to lead confident and successful careers.
We provide cross-sector mentoring, training, coaching, events and access to talented WOC worldwide.
Our network is cis women, trans, queer and non-binary inclusive.
"We are building a space where women of colour can feel a sense of belonging and solidarity as they support each other's advancement."
Mylene Sylvestre and Haseena Farid,
WOCGN Co-Founders
Only 1% of power positions in the UK go to women of colour.
The Colour of Power, Ethnic Diversity in Britain’s Leadership, Green Park 2020
BE PART OF THE CHANGE
Despite increased dialogue around racial and gender bias, WOC struggle to advance in their careers. Evidence shows they are still hugely under-represented in senior roles at work, yet they receive the least support. They are almost invisible from positions of power, across both public and private sectors.
Find out more about becoming an affiliate partner of WOCGN. Your organisation will be making a vital investment to improve gender and racial equity within the workplace.
OUR FOUNDERS
Mylene Sylvestre
WOCGN FOUNDER
Who am I? I am the Publishing Director at the Guardian and co-Founder of Women of Colour Global Network (WOCGN). WOCGN is dedicated to supporting and advocating for women of colour in the workplace, at all levels - a mission very close to my heart. I’ve worked in the media for over 20 years, in various leadership roles.
Over the last few years, I have been heavily involved in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work conducted at the Guardian, with a focus on race and gender representation. I am the education lead for ACE (Association for Circulation Executives) and a mentor and coach, working primarily with women of colour, which I love doing.
I am Franco-British, from a French Caribbean background and live in Hackney, London, with my husband and 3 sons.
Let's connect!
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Haseena Farid
WOCGN FOUNDER
Who am I? I am a Arts & Non-profit Consultant and Co-Founder of the WOCGN. I have a 20 year career in fundraising & philanthropy, working in leadership roles for organisations such as the The British Museum, Royal Academy of Arts, The Royal Institution, The Guardian News and Media. I am also an Executive Coach and work with senior leaders and managers across industries, supporting and empowering employees in the workplace. I have a special interest in inclusive leadership and sponsoring women of colour’s advancement. Through my work as a consultant and coach I have mentored & coached a number of WOC who are now part of the WOCGN network.
I am an advocate for social justice and dedicate my free time to causes that are close to my heart. I am a Trustee of the Soho House Foundation, a charity providing young people with free access to the creative industries. A Trustee of EverydayPlastic, an environmental charity dedicated to connecting people with the plastic issue. And a Trustee of Southwark Park Galleries, an art gallery dedicated to connecting people with the intersection of art & ecology.
I am British-Bangladeshi and live in Hackney with my husband.
Let's connect!
The most satisfying part of the programme for me was the insightful discussions that I had with my mentor. I started off the programme with a vague idea of the things I want to achieve in my career, and by the end of it, I had formulated them into something more tangible. My mentor's encouragement and knowledge of the industry was invaluable to getting me to this point.
Mentee
I enjoyed the sense of community and the great mentees I got to mentor, as well as the relationships I forged, and the positive feedback from my mentees.
Mentee
The most satisfying part of the programme for me was the insightful discussions that I had with my mentor. I started off the programme with a vague idea of the things I want to achieve in my career, and by the end of it, I had formulated them into something more tangible. My mentor's encouragement and knowledge of the industry was invaluable to getting me to this point.
Mentee
I enjoyed the sense of community and the great mentees I got to mentor, as well as the relationships I forged, and the positive feedback from my mentees.
Mentor
I have loved mentoring my mentee and watching her grow in confidence, and be assured of her skills, experience and knowledge.
Mentor
The most satisfying aspect of the programme was being matched up with an amazing mentor who just understood my point of view, perspective and life experiences, and was able to validate and guide me.
Mentee