During the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Handshake Summit & Awards gathered more than 200 distinguished leaders at the United Nations Church Center for an exclusive event themed “Advancing Women’s Influence in a Changing World.” Convened by Chaste Inegbedion, who holds leadership roles at ConcordeApp and Semaform Foundation, the summit brought together figures from diplomacy, technology, civil society, and global development to foster concrete actions and collaboration toward accelerating gender equality.
The summit aimed to translate the United Nations' call to action into a practical strategy. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had previously emphasized that “gender equality is and always has been a question of power,” noting that justice remained elusive for millions of women and girls. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous underscored the urgency of the session, occurring amidst multiple global crises and increasing fragmentation.
Responding to this gap between ideals and reality, the Handshake Summit focused on forging verifiable partnerships and celebrating individuals driving a new, prevention-focused global future. As UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stated, “Justice around the world demands the active choice to believe survivors… and dismantle systems that perpetuate abuse and discrimination.” The summit was designed to facilitate precisely these actions.
Organized by the Semaform Foundation and ConcordeApp, the event seamlessly merged high-level discussions with actionable outcomes. The evening began with a red-carpet reception hosted by Mariama Sahid, Founder of SHE4Peace, setting a tone of focused purpose.
A Welcome from the Heart of Community Leadership
In her address, “From Intention to Alliance: The Architecture of the Global Handshake,” Her Excellency, Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and Wife of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria, connected the summit’s technological focus to essential community and family work. “It is my profound honour to stand before you today at this landmark gathering,” Disu stated. “To be surrounded by such formidable leaders, innovators, and advocates for gender equality is both humbling and inspiring.”
She further elaborated on the crucial role of institutions like POWA within the global framework of the handshake: “POWA’s work is rooted in compassion, service, and community development. My vision is to strengthen our impact by expanding partnerships, supporting initiatives that uplift women economically, and contributing meaningfully to national and global conversations around gender equity and community resilience. The handshakes made in rooms like this must translate into tangible support for the families and communities we serve on the ground.”
Following this emphasis on grassroots impact, Ebaide Omiunu, Founder of The Ebaidebheki Initiative (TEI) and the evening's Host, set the strategic direction. “We heard Secretary-General Guterres loud and clear: progress is won, not given,” Omiunu asserted. “This is our arena to win it. Tonight, we move from intention to handshake, from advocacy to alliance. We are not just talking about change; we are signing the agreements that will execute it.”
The AI & Impact Showcase: From Protection to Power
A significant segment was the “AI & Impact Showcase,” featuring a keynote by Crystal Renouf, CEO of TheMothershp™. Renouf highlighted the potential of prevention-centered AI to address systemic vulnerabilities faced by women. “Secretary-General Guterres spoke of discriminatory laws and patriarchal norms that endure. Our institutions are built on that legacy, designed to react to crisis rather than prevent it,” Renouf explained. “We are building the AI middleware that transforms these systems from reactive intervention to measurable prevention, securing not just data, but justice, dignity, and opportunity.”
The High-Level Panel: Deal-Making for Women’s Prosperity
The panel discussion, “AI-Driven Climate Leadership & Deal-Making for Women’s Prosperity,” moderated by systems innovator Chaste Inegbedion, explored how digital trust infrastructure can unlock capital for women-led ventures. Panelists included Kome Igbogidi (ServiceNow), Richard Ojuri (M&T; Bank), Joy Osomiamhe-O (World Energy Council), Charlene Nichols (Omniverse City), Jessica Sophia Wong (Yorkseed), Lisa Francoeur (Crypto Tutors), and Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka (Consultant & Development Strategist).
Inegbedion framed the challenge: “We are moving past the era of fleeting networking. To answer the UN’s call for dismantling systems of abuse, we must build new systems of value. At ConcordeApp, we are transforming professional relationships into verifiable, fundable capital. The handshake is now a data point that unlocks economic opportunity.”
Panelists shared insights on tangible outcomes. Kome Igbogidi of ServiceNow stressed the importance of human elements in innovation, stating, “As enterprise AI leaders, the real value of a conference isn’t the conversations you start, it’s the follow-through you automate. The organizations that win are the ones that turn inspiration into intelligent workflows before momentum fades.”
Lisa Francoeur, Secretary of Education for the NYS Advisory Committee on Cryptocurrency and Digital Finance, focused on policy and workforce development. “Government and industry must move in lockstep. With initiatives like DeFi All Odds, we are building the enterprise-ready talent pipeline that will ensure women are not just users of the future economy, but its architects.”
Joy Osomiamhe-O emphasized the need for interoperable systems to achieve climate finance goals. “We cannot have a digital leap if our climate finance systems cannot talk to each other across borders. When Secretary-General Guterres speaks of women holding only 64% of legal rights, we see that reflected in their inability to access cross-border capital. True prosperity lies in building ecosystems, not islands.”
Charlene Nichols, CEO of Omniverse City, discussed the growing importance of narrative control. “Power in the 21st century will belong to those who control the narrative. By leveraging immersive digital ecosystems, we give women-led ventures the tools to tell their own stories on a global stage, catalyzing collaboration and challenging the patriarchal norms that have silenced them for too long.”
Jessica Sophia Wong, Founder of Yorkseed, highlighted relationship capital in a globalized context. “In an era of multiple global crises, as Sima Bahous described, connection is our greatest asset. My work is about building the global infrastructure—across 50 cities and 100+ events—where founders and funders can find each other. It is in these intentional spaces that the handshakes leading to peace and prosperity begin.”
Richard Ojuri of M&T; Bank stressed the economic impact of supporting women- owned businesses. “The fight for gender equality cannot be won in the abstract; it must be won on Main Street. As a banker, I see every day that when women-owned businesses succeed, entire communities are lifted. Providing them with strategic, relationship-driven financial solutions isn’t just good business—it’s the most direct form of community development there is.”
Adiya Uri, a development strategist and author, linked high-level policy to on-the-ground realities. “As we architect these global handshakes, we must ensure they are built on a foundation of inclusive development strategy,” Uri said. “My work with Empathy Driven Women International Initiative (EDWIN) has shown me that true sustainability is achieved when we center the most vulnerable women with disabilities, girls in remote communities. The most sophisticated AI tool or financial instrument is only as powerful as its ability to include those who have been systematically excluded from the architecture of progress.”
The Human Residue: Connection in a Digital Age
The evening featured a Fireside Chat, “The Human Residue,” with creative executive Elley Cheng and global empowerment leader Tera Carissa Hodges. Their interactive session, the “Humanity Game,” reminded attendees of the vital role of human connection in the digital era.
The Handshake Moment: A Symbol Sealed
A symbolic “Handshake Moment” saw representatives from government, the private sector, and civil society solidify their commitments on stage, directly addressing the Secretary-General’s observation that “inclusion is proclaimed, yet women are absent from negotiating tables.”
The Handshake Awards: Honoring a Legacy of Action
The momentum continued with the Handshake Awards Ceremony, honoring ten leaders whose work embodies the summit’s mission of translating advocacy into tangible action. The awards were presented by Amb. Dr. Linda Middleton of the Kaleidoscope Business Project and Dr. Prince Ero Ibhafidon of the Waterlight Save Initiative/I-HEAL.
The 2026 Handshake Honorees included:
* Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for institutional leadership in advancing gender equality and national welfare policies.
* Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States, for diplomatic excellence and fostering international cooperation for sustainable development.
* Her Excellency Ambassador Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke, for tireless advocacy in global diplomacy and cultural representation.
* Dr. Kingsley Ighobor of the United Nations, for Strategic Communication Leadership and shaping global developmental narratives.
* DCP Dr. Oki Emesem Rita Oyintare, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nigeria, for pioneering leadership in security, justice, and the protection of women’s rights.
* Tolani Alli, Creative Campaign Coordinator at The World Bank, for visionary storytelling and leadership in global developmental communication.
* Mamotake Matekane, COO of MGC Matekane Group of Companies, for showcasing youth-driven innovation as a catalyst for economic transformation in Africa.
* Ambassador Billy Umar Garba of Platinum View Inc., Los Angeles, for excellence in executive leadership and international business relations.
Two honorees shared particularly resonant messages. Dr. Padmini (Mini) Murthy of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), recognized for her global leadership in women’s health and medical education, stated, “For three decades, I have worked at the intersection of maternal health and human rights, and I have learned that health is the ultimate currency of equality. As we integrate AI into healthcare, we must ensure it serves as a bridge, not a barrier. This award is not for me, but for every woman whose access to dignity and healthcare has been denied by systems that forgot she existed. The Handshake Summit reminds us that our handshake with technology must be guided by a steady pulse of compassion.”
Hawa Taylor Kamara Diallo, a retired United Nations Official and Founder of the IBTK Foundation, honored for a lifetime of humanitarian service, shared, “Nearly 40 years at the United Nations taught me that the most powerful resolutions are not written on paper, but in the lives we touch and the hands we lift. I have watched this world change, and I have watched it stubbornly refuse to change in the ways that matter most for women and girls. Tonight, seeing this room—brimming with young leaders, with technology, with fire in their eyes—I am filled with hope. The handshake I receive tonight is a passing of the torch. My life’s work has been to build the foundation; yours is to build the skyscraper. Go high, and take everyone with you.”
A Call to Execution
Distinguished guests included Richard Iyasere, Superintendent with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and a Nigerian music industry executive, bridging infrastructure, culture, and activism. The summit concluded with a call to action led by Gail Davvis-Carter, Co-Executive Director supporting the United Nations and Sustainable Development Goals. Inspired by her work with Quincy Jones and NetAid, Davvis-Carter urged attendees to translate commitments into action.
Attendees were invited to formalize “Partners in Progress” commitments through MOUs and LOIs and to join working groups for progress tracking. The evening, filled with Afrobeat fusion, underscored the summit's achievement in providing a platform and a blueprint for advancing gender equality as a fight for power.
The event's visual elements were meticulously designed by Robert Osborne of Visual Relics Media and Creative Director Temitayo Daniel, with support from Utiva, ensuring that the aesthetic amplified the summit's message of intention, alliance, and lasting impact.
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