GXN Global Women’s Leadership Council
leading with vision
who we are
key facts
- Founded at the GXN Conference 2024
- 18 individuals attended the first international women’s leadership conference breakfast in Vienna Austria on September 27 as a subset of the 3rd annual Global Executive Network Conference
what we do
EMPOWERING WOMEN
Within GXN, the Women’s Leadership Committee plays a crucial role in championing diversity and inclusion at the executive level. This committee is dedicated to empowering female leaders by providing a platform for mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and professional development. Through specialized discussions, networking opportunities, and initiatives, the committee supports women in navigating leadership challenges, driving innovation, and shaping the industry’s future. By fostering an inclusive environment, the Women’s Leadership Committee strengthens GXN’s mission of promoting excellence and thought leadership across all levels of the industry.
CONCLUSIONS OF
THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING
- Establish a community through connections
- Learn how to create a supportive culture within their organizations
- Seek to understand the purpose for the international women’s leadership council
- Seeking a form of engagement
- Better understanding of potential opportunities for women
- Create a network of women throughout UK/EU and spread the word of future meetings to have additional attendees and participants
- Establish a community through connections
- Learn how to create a supportive culture within their organizations
- Seek to understand the purpose for the international women’s leadership council
- Seeking a form of engagement
- Better understanding of potential opportunities for women
- Create a network of women throughout UK/EU and spread the word of future meetings to have additional attendees and participants
ACTION FRAMEWORK – Lisbon, Portugal | September 26, 2025
Strategic Objectives
- Establish measurable goals to track GXN WLC progress.
- Source and benchmark data on women in leadership against international and industry standards:
Mission & Purpose Development
- Present and refine mission statement concepts (Carleen Gray).
- Anchor mission around:
Communication & Engagement
- WhatsApp Group – Lisa Bennett (launch immediate communication channel)
- GXN WLC Newsletter – Michele Bell (create cadence, editorial process, and international reach)
- Quarterly Meetings – Heather Smartt (schedule and coordinate)
- Member Profiles – Carleen Gray (develop interviews and multi-format content)
Governance – Steering Committee
Confirmed Members:
Heather Smartt · Michele Bell · Vicki Kinasz · Georgie Lack · Kathrin Stuhmeyer-Halfar · Lise Lauritzen · Carleen Gray
Next Steps & Alignment
- Activate WhatsApp channel – immediate internal connectivity (Lisa Bennett).
- LinkedIn initiative – broaden international visibility and support.
- Steering Committee Priorities:
GXN Commitment
The GXN Women’s Leadership Council is dedicated to empowering women globally, supporting inclusive growth,
and advancing leadership excellence across branded merchandise and adjacent industries.
ONE OF US
portrait
Meet
Lise Lauritzen
The Delightfully Candid Heart of IDE House of Brands, Norway
Lise Lauritzen doesn’t mince words—and she doesn’t need to. Her strength lies in her unfiltered honesty, grounded pragmatism, and unmistakable Scandinavian warmth. She’s the kind of leader who feels instantly familiar: sharp, witty, graciously direct, and quietly formidable. As Manager of Purchasing at IDE House of Brands—Norway’s largest distributor of promotional products with locations in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and beyond—Lise oversees operations at one of Europe’s leading privately-owned promotional product agencies. She brings a rare clarity and confidence that comes from a lifetime inside the business—because she didn’t just join the industry, she has quite literally grown up in it.
Meet
Heather Smartt
The Visionary Leader Moving from Strength to Strength
Spend even a few minutes with Heather Smartt, and you’ll come away believing that grit, vision, and heart really can take you anywhere…Lisbon, for example. Today, Heather is the Global Head of Goldstar®, a standout leader known for her clarity and magnetic presence. I caught her at an especially meaningful moment: the one-year anniversary of her promotion to the global helm. But her story is decades in the making, and it’s one that inspires anyone daring enough to chase both career success and personal fulfillment.
Women’s Leadership Spotlight: An Interview with
Kathrin Halfar
The Delightfully Candid Heart of IDE House of Brands, Norway
At the recent GXN conference in Vienna, I had the privilege of meeting Kathrin Halfar, CEO of Halfar System GmbH. Picking up right where we left off, our video interview conversation was effortless, shaped by our ongoing discussions and connection within the GXN community. As an accomplished entrepreneur and leader, Kathrin has incredible insights to share.
As we establish the GXN Women’s Leadership Council (WLC), one of our first priorities is understanding the current state of women in leadership within our organization. Once we have a clear picture, we can set meaningful goals to increase diversity and foster leadership opportunities for women across industries. Kathrin’s journey, experience, and leadership philosophy provide valuable perspective as we take these next steps.
ONE OF US
Do you have any questions or are you interested in working with us?
We look forward to hearing from you – contact us now!