BPW (Business & Professional Women) is a registered non profit businesswomen’s organisation which was founded 84 years ago in Geneva, Switzerland. The founding member nations include the United States of America, Austria, Canada, France, Great Britain and Italy. BPW is today recognised as the most influential international network of business and professional women, with affiliates in 100+ countries on five continents. We have over 500 000 members internationally which include women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women. BPW has had Consultative Status with the United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1947 and participatory status with the Council of Europe. BPW South Africa, based in Johannesburg, was launched by Minister Rob Davies in July 2011 along with our comprehensive Women on Boards director development programme – the first of its kind in South Africa.