Vital Voices: The Power of Women Leading Change Around the World

Introduction

In October 2008, when the global economic meltdown was on the front page of every newspaper, a story caught my attention; it was, quite possibly, the first solution-oriented story I'd seen about the crisis. After declaring bankruptcy, the government of Iceland tapped two women to rebuild the financial system. A government official noted that after the banking empire collapsed, “women are taking over…to clean it up.”¹ Audur Capital, which is managed solely by women, was the only private equity fund untouched by the crisis²; and in the midst of economic chaos, Icelanders elected Johanna Sigurdardottir—a woman—as prime minister.

As I read on, I thought the solution to the situation in Iceland made perfect sense. Through my work with ...