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Diana Barragán, President of BPW International
The world is undergoing rapid changes in power structures. In this context, in various nations, organizations uniting women are strengthening, with clear objectives to take on the challenges of the status quo in building a more equitable future. The International Federation of Business and Professional Women – BPW International – serves as an incubator for leadership with diverse expertise, bringing progress in global representation.
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An Emotional Moment: Receiving the Presidential Necklace
In the organization's elections for the 2024-2027 triennium presidency and other board positions, held during the XXXI BPW International Congress in St. Kitts, in the Caribbean, lawyer Diana Barragán Medina won the election and received the organization’s necklace from then-president Dr. Catherine Bosshart. She competed against two influential leaders from the previous administration: Giuseppina Seidita, Vice President, and Jenny Gulamani Abdulla, Executive Secretary.
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A Globalized Woman
A fascinating aspect of Diana’s journey is that she embodies the strength of a globalized woman, as few do. This is evident from the facts: she was born in New York, USA, holds Ecuadorian and Swiss citizenships, and was nominated for the presidency by BPW Miculla Peru. She speaks Spanish, English, and French fluently.
A Rich Background
Diana brings to BPW International’s leadership a rich and diverse background. Her multifaceted experience in socially, economically, and culturally distinct countries provides her with a unique and comprehensive perspective on challenges and opportunities. Her combination of experiences and acquired skills has been critical in her dedicated commitment to women’s causes. This is complemented by her strategic vision and coherence on social issues. She is, therefore, ready to lead the organization toward a more equitable, sustainable, and innovative future.
Her Role in BPW
Diana’s career is marked by significant experiences and a deep commitment to good governance. She stands out as a leader who values transparency and respect for ethical principles. Since joining BPW in 1991, she has held various leadership roles, reflecting her dedication and expertise. As President of BPW Ecuador (2008-2011), an active member of BPW Geneva-Switzerland, Director of Communication and Translator for English, French, and Spanish at BPW International, Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, and twice Regional Coordinator for Latin America, her journey is a testament to the positive impact she has made over the years. Her contributions demonstrate her ability to lead and innovate for women’s causes.
In her campaign statement for BPW International, Diana emphasized the importance of ethical governance, inviting everyone to join her on a journey of transformation. She strongly believes that the diversity of skills, values, and dreams is key to driving meaningful and necessary change.
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An Honorable Journey
Diana Barragán’s journey, beginning with her education, is characterized by a solid academic foundation leading to diverse professional experiences.
Education and Professional Experience
With a degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Geneva (1975), she specialized in human development based on Jean Piaget’s studies. Later, in 1984, she earned a master’s degree in Third World Development from the Graduate Institute of Development Studies in Geneva, preparing her to address complex social contexts. Her quest for knowledge continued, and in 2012, she earned a law degree in Ecuador, expanding her legal and social expertise.
Since 2007, Diana has focused on International Business, working in a law firm’s Business Department. Her leadership experience is notable, including positions as Executive Director of the National Council of Civil Organizations for Social Development (CONOCIDES) and the Nuestros Jóvenes Foundation in Ecuador. Additionally, she served as Executive Director of the Ecuador Tourism Center in Geneva and Tourism Attaché for the Ecuadorian Government in Switzerland. She has also been an Institutional Development Consultant and a university professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Quito, teaching Psycholinguistics.
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Political Career
Diana’s career includes significant involvement in partisan politics, marked by a strong commitment to social issues and the development of Ecuador and the Andean region. In 2006, she ran for the Andean Parliament, demonstrating her commitment to policies aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life and regional integration. In 2009, she ran for Ecuador’s National Assembly, a role crucial for lawmaking and policymaking impacting Ecuadorians.
A Significant Milestone in Her Political Career
An important milestone in her career was being a political advisor to those who would be Constituent Deputies before the National Constituent Assembly of 2008. Her contribution to parliamentary advice was fundamental to promoting an inclusive and representative dialogue that reflected the needs and aspirations of Ecuadorian society.
Diana Barragán's experiences demonstrate not only her pursuit of empowerment and leadership, including in politics, but also her deep commitment to social transformation and the defense of human rights, consolidating her position as an influential and respected figure.
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Statements by the President of BPW Brazil
Alison Regina Mazza Lubascher, President of BPW Brazil, has expressed that the election of Diana Barragán as President of BPW International signifies not just a change in leadership but a continuation of work aiming for inclusion and diversity, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"I firmly believe that the presence of women from different parts of the world on the international board is crucial for ensuring that women’s concerns and needs are heard and addressed," she emphasized.
Alison noted that the BPW International President will have Brazilian representatives on the international board, a fact she celebrates and praises. She highlighted the election of Izadora Letchacoski, a member of BPW Curitiba, as the representative of BPW Young, which represents the future and brings her great pride, reflecting the formation of new leaderships. She also mentioned Patrícia Cáceres as Chair of the Standing Committee on Development, Training, and Employment. Alison congratulated the other board members who will collaborate with Diana Barragán:
- UN VP: Neelima Basnet
- Membership VP: Francesca Burack
- Secretary: Carolyn Savage
- Finance Chair: Gudrum Jakobsdottir
The elected regional coordinators are:
- Latin America: Olga Ahumada
- North America and the Caribbean: Karin Gorgerat
- Asia: Chien Hermínio
- Africa: Massawe Bertiller
- Europe: Viks Anu
In Latin America, the coordinator will work alongside a Brazilian Secretary Director, Claudia Pirani, who holds the same position on the BPW Brazil Executive Committee. This relationship will be essential for fostering good relations with the board.
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Statements from the Brazilian Chair
It is now the turn of other Brazilian members to closely collaborate with Diana Barragán. This honor particularly extends to Patricia Cáceres, a Senior Counselor from BPW Rio, who had positive results in the elections and now serves as Chair of the BPW International Committee on Development, Training, and Employment. Patricia, a very active president of BPW Rio, has held significant positions within BPW Brazil, coordinating important projects. With 30 years of experience in the organization, Patricia was inspired by her mother, Mimi Cáceres, from BPW Porto Alegre, to join the BPW network.
Upon congratulating the newly elected BPW International President Diana Barragán during the congress, Patricia reflected on Diana's leadership achievements. Diana has previously served as Chair of the International Committee on Legislation and as Latin America Regional Coordinator.
Patricia remarked that Diana demonstrated competent leadership in her roles, including participating alongside her in initiatives such as the Leader Summit in New York and the St. Kitts Congress, where Diana served as the regional leader.
According to Patricia, the theme of the new triennium under Diana’s leadership is extremely motivating and will inspire all board and regional members. Patricia wished Diana success in her journey and emphasized that "the sharing of innovations and inspirations, where the hands, minds, and hearts of BPW women from around the world come together, can build the transformation we all desire. The empowerment of women and gender equality are essential factors in building a future of peace and sustainability for us all."
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BPW Young speaks
Izadora Letchacoski, a Brazilian elected representative of BPW Young, also has high expectations regarding her work with Diana Barragán. She is from BPW Curitiba and has very interesting experience at an international level. “I am very excited and energized to work with this newly elected board. Diana has shown herself to be a president who is very concerned with the engagement of members, with transparent and inclusive management, and has given us a lot of space to work as BPW Young. We want to bring more and more innovation and empowerment for young women to shine in their communities, a commitment we made as an elected board. It has been wonderful to learn from the cultural diversity of our executive, and I believe that Diana brings this diversity with her, further enriching our work meetings and projects that we will still develop”. With this, we expect a more united, innovative and influential BPW community, with young leaders playing crucial roles in social transformation and the sustainable growth of the organization.
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Statements from a Former Latin America Sub-Coordinator
Eunice Cruz, a Senior Counselor from BPW Brazil and former President of the organization for two terms, is an admirer of Diana Barragán’s work. After her presidency, Eunice served as the Latin America Sub-Coordinator, working closely with Diana, who was then the Latin America Coordinator and is now BPW International President.
Eunice described her time as Sub-Coordinator as a period of significant learning, knowledge exchange, and affection among all members. "We worked under the leadership of our Coordinator, Diana Barragán, an intelligent, strong, determined woman with a high degree of resilience. I am grateful she invited me to stand by her side," Eunice said.
She recalled many significant achievements, including the First International Webinar, “Advances, Challenges, and Strategies of Public Policies for Women,” held on August 25, 2021. "We had the participation of prominent speakers from BPW Latin America countries and over 400 women from 15 countries attending remotely. We celebrated BPW International’s 91st anniversary with a beautiful Candle Lighting Ceremony. The event lasted over four hours and featured simultaneous translation in Portuguese, English, and Spanish."
Eunice highlighted the honor of organizing the event alongside representatives from BPW Latin America’s federations and affiliated clubs. "I worked closely with Diana Barragán, our Coordinator, during that time and came to admire her even more for her organization, commitment, dedication, and love for BPW. We formed a strong and cohesive team, including Brazilian members Romi Ruff, Marketing Coordinator, Yara Blochtein, Environment Director, and Camila Ribeiro, BPW Young Coordinator."
According to Eunice, Diana’s leadership brought lasting experiences to Latin America’s members. "We made many friends, lost a few who departed, celebrated victories, and comforted each other during challenging moments. But what I carry with me is the love, friendship, and fraternity that were always present among us."
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Statements by the BPW Miculla President
Ruby Rospigliosi, President of BPW Miculla in Peru—Diana Barragán’s current organization—praised Diana as a courageous and honest leader. Ruby emphasized the impact Diana will have by promoting engagement and innovation while understanding and addressing the needs of BPW clubs worldwide.
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Diana Barragán, with her forward-thinking vision, not only assumes the presidency of BPW International but also takes on the responsibility of fostering a new era of female leadership, shaping opportunities and inclusion for all women. Her vision and passion will serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring new generations to unite in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.
Statements by the Former BPW Geneva President
Helena Zanelli, former BPW Geneva President, spoke highly of Diana Barragán’s leadership. She recalled inviting Diana to join BPW Geneva's committee, which marked the beginning of Diana’s remarkable journey.
Helena described their six years of work together as a period of discovery, memorable encounters, and impactful projects that strengthened Geneva’s BPW club with its 75 members. Helena reminisced about their travels across Switzerland for BPW meetings and participation in European and international congresses, such as those in Vienna and Venice.
Highlighting Diana’s dedication to public relations, Helena praised her energy and enthusiasm, which have remained intact throughout her journey. She expressed her hopes for Diana’s presidency, saying, "May you take on this new journey with the same passion and generosity you have always demonstrated, turning your international vision for BPW into reality."
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