The Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network global event, co-sponsored by Intel, is an exclusive, invitation-only conference that will connect more than 150 of the world’s top female entrepreneurs plus business leaders and media to share insights and best practice.

For the first time, Dell is launching a virtual component for a global audience to learn from the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs. The event will spotlight the positive impact that women-owned businesses are having on the global economy and unite around this year’s theme of Pay It Forward, which will be brought to life at the event.

At the event, Dell will announce the findings of a new index, created with The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute (GEDI) to measure high impact female entrepreneurship globally. The partnership with GEDI will produce an annual index that will measure and rank the entrepreneurial environment; entrepreneurial eco-system; and women’s entrepreneurial aspirations in developed and emerging economies around the world.

Karen Quintos, senior VP and chief marketing officer at Dell, commented: "Through our work, we have experienced, first hand, the unique ‘multiplier effect’ that female entrepreneurs can have, not only on their own communities, but on the broader global economy.

"From this, we developed the theme ‘Pay It Forward’ for this year’s Dell Women’s Entrepreneur event and want to help established, successful female entrepreneurs support other up-and-coming female entrepreneurs through the sharing of knowledge, networks, technology and capital. During the event we will launch an exciting initiative to engage the community and make this happen."

Keynote speakers include female CEOs, founders and thought leaders who will share their insights into the critical global business trends, growth strategies and technology innovations that are shaping the face of business globally and will include:

  • Cheryl Mills, former counselor and chief of staff to Hillary Clinton at the US State Department;
  • Elizabeth Gore, resident entrepreneur, UN Foundation;
  • Melek Pulatkonak, founder & curator, Turkish Women’s International Network (WIN);
  • Aysegül Ildeniz, EMEA board member of Intel and head of the Technology and Innovation group at TUSIAD;
  • Padmaja Kumari Mewar, joint managing director, HRH Group of Hotels;
  • Julie Meyer, founder & CEO, Ariadne Capital;
  • Moira Forbes, publisher of Forbes Woman;
  • Sarah Curran, founder, my-wardrobe.com;
  • Simone Ross, COO and co-founder, Techonomy;
  • Steve Felice, president and chief commercial officer, Dell;
  • Karen Quintos, vice president and chief marketing officer, Dell;
  • Ingrid Vanderveldt, entrepreneur-in-residence, Dell