Written by Bushra Razack (Class XVI: Umsimbithi)
The Vital Voices Global Leadership Summit and Global Leadership Awards in New York this April brought together an extraordinary community of women leaders from across the world, creating a powerful space for reflection, connection, and renewed purpose. Hosted by Vital Voices in partnership with Estée Lauder, the Summit focused on advancing women’s leadership across sectors, while the Awards evening celebrated some of the most influential and impactful women shaping our world today.
The Summit itself was an immersive experience bringing together leaders from business, media, government, and grassroots movements. Of the 150 + applicants, African Leadership Initiative South Africa fellow (Class XVI), Bushra Razack, was selected to attend.
Through a series of sessions, workshops, and dialogues, participants engaged deeply on themes of storytelling, leadership identity, resilience, and the importance of community.
The program culminated in the Global Leadership Awards, a remarkable evening celebrating women who are shaping industries and redefining leadership. The event brought together influential figures including Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg, and Susie Wolff, among others, as both honourees and hosts. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the presentation of the Trailblazer Award to Dame Donna Langley, Chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment. Beyond her extraordinary professional achievements, she was recognised for her leadership, generosity, and commitment to lifting others as she rises—embodying the very essence of the Vital Voices community.
“What struck me at the summit similar to the African Leadership Initiative, is that when people come together with honesty, we don’t just share stories, we reshape what leadership demands of us. The ALI seminar truly prepared me for this… I even quoted from the readings!”
More than a convening, the Summit served as a moment of transition and affirmation for many participants. It reinforced the idea that leadership is not confined to titles or roles, but is carried in how we show up, how we connect, and how we use our voices. For leaders from the African continent, it was also a powerful reminder of the importance of bringing global insights back home, translating them into local impact, while remaining rooted in context and community.
As the Summit concluded, participants left not only inspired, but also challenged to think more boldly, to lead more authentically, and to remain connected to a global network of women committed to driving change. For the African Leadership Foundation community, this moment represents both an opportunity and a call to action: to continue building bridges between global platforms and local realities, and to ensure that African voices remain central in shaping the future of leadership.
