Bangkok, 11 June 2026 – The Cartier Women’s Initiative marked its 20th anniversary with an awards ceremony at Chulalongkorn University, honouring the 2026 cohort of women impact entrepreneurs at the close of a week-long celebration that also featured the Cartier Dialogues and an immersive exhibition.
Since its founding in 2006 as a Cartier-funded recognition programme, the Initiative has grown into one of the Maison’s most enduring commitments to creating meaningful social impact. What began as an awards platform has evolved into a comprehensive fellowship, combining grant funding with a year-long programme of academic training, business coaching, executive leadership development and well-being support. Two decades later, its impact is reflected not only in its numbers but also in the global community it has fostered: 330 women impact entrepreneurs supported across 67 countries, USD 14.1 million in grant funding awarded, and more than 520 active community members spanning over 80 countries.
This year’s edition, held under the theme ‘Women Lighting the Path’, celebrated 30 fellows from 19 countries across nine regional awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. Their ventures tackle some of today’s most pressing global challenges, from healthcare and biodiversity to financial inclusion and clean energy. Among the milestone moments was the selection of the Initiative’s first-ever fellow from Nepal, Prakriti Gautam of Khetipati Organics.
The Bangkok ceremony welcomed more than 700 guests, including members of the Cartier Women’s Initiative community, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and international media. Hosted by broadcaster and gender-equality advocate Sandi Toksvig OBE, the evening reflected both on the programme’s achievements and its future ambitions.
Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy, remarked: “In 20 years, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has not only evolved but thrived. From an award-giving platform to a global supporting community, the initiative keeps helping its members and their businesses to grow.”
The celebration concluded with a keynote address by barrister and human rights advocate Amal Clooney, who described the fellows as “a formidable group of women entrepreneurs driving change across diverse sectors,” recognising their commitment to creating lasting social and environmental impact.
Grant funding continues to play a central role within the fellowship. First-place laureates in each category receive USD 100,000, while second and third-place winners are awarded USD 60,000 and USD 30,000 respectively. This year’s first-place recipients included Cristina Campero Peredo of PROSPERiA (Latin America and the Caribbean), Keely Cat-Wells of Making Space (North America), and Isabel Pulido of NanoFreeze, recipient of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award.
Looking ahead, the Cartier Women’s Initiative continues to expand its global reach as it prepares to welcome its next cohort of fellows, who will be celebrated in Amsterdam. For a Maison renowned for its craftsmanship and heritage, the Initiative reflects another expression of Cartier’s enduring philosophy—that meaningful legacies are built not only through exceptional creations, but also by recognising the people shaping a better future.
