OWIT Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary!  
This year, OWIT celebrates 20 years of fostering international trade and creating opportunities that allow women around the world to reach unthinkable levels in business! Celebrating OWIT’s 20th anniversary could not have been made possible without the amazing accomplishments and contributions of our members and leaders who have been committed to advancing women in international trade.

OWIT’s 20th anniversary and new logo will be the focal point of our branding campaign this year. They will not only set OWIT apart from similar women’s organizations, but will also be used to increase our reputation, awareness about the organization, membership, and global trade opportunities for women.

How was OWIT formed?
Back in 1989, a series of independent women’s associations focused on women in international trade – from Washington, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Northern California, Orange County, Detroit and Texas – realized there would be a benefit in joining forces. The idea of connecting to mentor, network, exchange information, learn about new trade developments and enhance individual and collective development was the inspiration behind founding OWIT. What began as a brainstorming in Washington, D.C. culminated in the first formal board meeting held in Los Angeles where the organization’s name was chosen, officers and directors elected and the goals and mission drafted.

Twenty years later, OWIT’s mission has strengthened through its global reach. Today, OWIT stand ‘united around the globe to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business’ with over 20 chapters, spanning eight countries and reaching a membership of some 3,000 women.

“In this 20th anniversary year for OWIT, I am proud to be President and amazed at how far we have come,” says Ania Jakubowski. “I, along with the Executive and Board, have been working hard to strengthen our relationship with our members, partners, and sponsors to ensure our growth and ‘value add’. Together, we can strengthen our dynamic and influential organization and continue to advance women’s global trade opportunities around the world for another 20 amazing years.”

Watch for news on 20th anniversary celebrations to be planned by our chapters this year, and please e-mail any 20th anniversary event ideas to Monika Sandman at msandman@urusan-consulting.com so we can share them with all.