At Climate Week NYC 2026, WiSER asks what women need to lead at scale

Women are already shaping the future of sustainability. At Climate Week NYC 2026, WiSER brought leaders together to ask how more women can gain the investment, networks and authority to shape it at scale.

That question was central to The Next Chapter of Sustainability: Women Leading the Way, an executive roundtable co-hosted by WiSER, the Zayed Sustainability Prize and Goals House. Leaders from business, government, finance, technology, academia and the non-profit sector discussed women’s influence on the decisions and investments that will shape the next decade of sustainable development.

“Women are already leading companies, directing investment, developing technologies and delivering solutions around the world,” said Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Chief Brand and Strategic Initiatives Officer, Masdar; Executive Director, Zayed Sustainability Prize; and Program Director, WiSER. “But structural barriers still limit the ability of many women to advance their leadership and influence. At Climate Week NYC, WiSER brought together women leading the institutions shaping the future economy to discuss how we can break down those barriers and create more pathways for talented women to reach senior leadership roles.”

For the WiSER Pioneers attending Climate Week, the conversation extended beyond the roundtable. They also took part in the Schneider Electric, UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Mentorship Dialogue Café, connecting with experienced sustainability leaders and peers from across the sector.

This kind of exposure is central to the WiSER Pioneers Program, which combines mentorship, learning and direct engagement with industry leaders to help young women build the skills, confidence and networks needed to advance their work and careers.

Applications for the 2027 WiSER Pioneers cohort are now open. The competitive year-long program is open to women aged 25 to 35 who want to grow as sustainability leaders. The next cohort will have opportunities to learn from experienced mentors, connect with peers and turn ideas into action.

Founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, WiSER supports women to lead sustainable change. Women interested in joining the 2027 cohort can apply here.

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