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ELEVATING THE VOICES OF
WOMEN OF COLOUR PROFESSIONALS
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.
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We provide cross-sector mentoring, training, coaching, events and access to talented WOC worldwide.
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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
OUR FOUNDERS
Haseena Farid
MANAGING DIRECTOR
& CO- FOUNDER
I am Managing Director and Co-Founder of 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 am passionate about 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.
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Let's connect!
Mylene Sylvestre
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.
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Let's connect!
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OUR FOUNDERS
Haseena Farid
MANAGING DIRECTOR
& CO- FOUNDER
I am Managing Director and Co-Founder of 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 am passionate about 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!
Mylene Sylvestre
CO-FOUNDER
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!
Only 1% of power positions in the UK go to women of colour.
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.
The Colour of Power, Ethnic Diversity in Britain’s Leadership, Green Park 2020
100%
of mentors said that they’d like to be involved as a mentor again with the WOCGN mentoring programme
95%
of mentees are confident they have made progress with or achieved their goals
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100%
of mentees say having a woman of colour mentor is important for their professional development