On International Women’s Day 2026, we introduced the She Inspires Impact Leaders List, not as a moment of celebration alone, but as a statement of intent. In a world where recognition is often tied to titles, visibility, or position, we wanted to create something that looked beyond all of that and asked a far more meaningful question: what is the impact you are creating, and who is it reaching beyond yourself?
This list was never designed to be a ranking, nor was it open for nominations. It is a curated recognition, carefully shaped to reflect women whose work is creating real, consistent, and often quiet change across communities, sectors, and lives. Inspired in part by global lists such as BBC 100 Women, but firmly grounded in our own ethos, the She Inspires Impact Leaders List is about substance over spotlight, about contribution over status, and about recognising the kind of leadership that is felt long before it is seen.
Following its launch, we brought together our founding cohort at Worsley Hall, Marriott Worsley, for an inaugural commemorative evening that was, in every sense, a reflection of what this community represents. The evening was hosted by Nicola Sands, who brought the room together beautifully, holding the space with warmth, ease, and storytelling that allowed conversations to unfold naturally and meaningfully. It was not a formal occasion, nor was it meant to be. Instead, it was a gathering of women who are already creating impact, coming together to connect, reflect, and recognise one another.
What made the evening particularly special was the presence of women who have been part of She Inspires from the very beginning, when it was simply a small community initiative in a local community centre. We were also joined by partners, spouses, and fathers who stood alongside these women in quiet support, and it is important to acknowledge that impact is rarely created in isolation. It is supported, encouraged, and sustained by those who believe in the work being done, and we see you and thank you for that.
True to the spirit of She Inspires, the evening did not just celebrate impact — it created it.
With heartfelt thanks to Helena Jackson and Atlanta Prescott, who generously volunteered their time to manage the raffle table, the room came together to raise £410 for the Empower 50K Girls initiative. This will be topped up to £500, allowing us to reach another school, another group of girls, and another set of futures that will be shaped by access to knowledge, confidence, and opportunity. It is often said that impact is found in large-scale actions, but more often than not, it is built through small, collective acts of generosity, and this was a beautiful example of those ripples in motion.
At its core, the Impact Leaders List exists because there is still a significant gap in how women’s contributions are recognised. Globally, women continue to lead, build, nurture, and transform across sectors, yet much of this work remains under-recognised, particularly when it sits outside traditional measures of success. Achievement, while important, is often personal — it marks milestones, positions, and progress for the individual. Impact, on the other hand, extends beyond the self. It is reflected in how many others are supported, uplifted, and enabled through that journey.
This is why spotlighting impact matters. It shifts the narrative. It broadens the definition of leadership. And it ensures that the women who are shaping the world in meaningful ways are not overlooked simply because their work does not always fit conventional frameworks of recognition.
The list itself is only one part of a much wider journey. Like all She Inspires initiatives, it is designed as a stepping stone — a space that not only recognises, but connects, amplifies, and creates further opportunity. The work for the 2027 list begins now, with the hope that it will continue to grow in depth, diversity, and reach, and that each year it will build a stronger, more connected network of women leading through impact.
To every woman on the list, to everyone who was in the room, and to those who continue to walk alongside this journey — thank you. Your presence, your work, and your belief in this vision is what makes it possible.
If success ends with us, it is achievement. If it creates pathways for others, it becomes impact. And that is the story we will continue to tell.
