Rishi VakilOn February 25, 2025, TIME Magazine hosted its annual Women of the Year Leadership Forum at The West Hollywood EDITION in Los Angeles. This prestigious event convened a diverse group of influential women from various sectors to discuss pressing issues and celebrate achievements in gender equality. A significant highlight of the forum was a panel discussion on women’s financial empowerment, featuring industry leaders such as Jennifer Openshaw, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, and Malak Santini. Moderated by TIME CEO Jess Sibley, the conversation delved into strategies for closing the gender wealth gap. Cassidy, CEO of Xerox, emphasized the necessity for women to embrace financial risks and initiate investments early in their careers. Santini of JPMorgan Chase underscored the importance of early financial education and proactive planning. Openshaw, CEO of Girls with Impact, highlighted the need for women to recognize their value and advocate assertively in professional settings. This panel underscored the critical role of financial literacy and self-advocacy in achieving economic parity.
Nicole Kidman’s Commitment to Female Directors
Renowned actress and producer Nicole Kidman delivered an inspiring address, reflecting on her 2017 pledge to collaborate with a female director every 18 months. Surpassing her commitment, Kidman has worked with 19 female directors over the past eight years. She discussed her recent projects, including “The Perfect Couple” and “Babygirl,” the latter directed by Halina Reijn, which explores complex themes of female sexuality and relationships. Kidman emphasized the ongoing need for increased opportunities and patience to foster women’s success in the film industry.
Lessons from Trailblazing Women
The forum also featured a compelling panel with trailblazers such as astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen, actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi, and Carin Giuliante, CEO of Deloitte Tax LLP. Nguyen shared her journey in reforming sexual assault laws and overcoming personal adversity. Boniadi addressed challenges of tokenism and the imperative for genuine representation in entertainment. Giuliante highlighted the significance of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing women’s careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Collectively, their narratives emphasized resilience, advocacy, and the empowerment of others as pivotal elements in breaking gender barriers.
Technological Advancements and Business Leadership
In a session focused on technology’s evolving role in business, leaders Debby Soo, Padmasree Warrior, and Leslie Cafferty discussed integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence within their organizations. Moderated by TIME senior correspondent Alice Park, the panelists stressed aligning technological investments with core business objectives and customer needs. Warrior highlighted the necessity of addressing biases in AI models, sharing insights from her company’s experiences. The discussion reinforced the importance of thoughtful technology deployment and fostering diverse teams to mitigate inherent biases.
Celebrating Courage and Advocacy
The evening culminated in the Women of the Year Gala, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to society. Actress Olivia Munn was recognized for her advocacy in breast cancer awareness following her personal battle with the disease. Munn attended the gala in an elegant all-white Gaurav Gupta couture gown, symbolizing hope and resilience. In her remarks, she emphasized the critical importance of awareness and early detection in combating breast cancer.
The 2025 TIME Women of the Year Leadership Forum and Gala not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of women across various fields but also provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on advancing gender equality. The event highlighted the collective efforts required to foster an inclusive and equitable society.
