Global Women Power, established by Dr. Alka Chopra Madan, is committed to the empowerment of women by providing them with financial independence, job opportunities, and networking opportunities. Global Women Power, a non-profit organization situated in Fremont, California, is dedicated to nurturing opportunities for women to flourish and achieve success in all facets of life. The Meet Our Sheroes series is one of our most influential initiatives, as it enables women to reveal their personal journeys in an authentic, unfiltered way. Our objective with this series is to elevate the voices of remarkable women from a variety of backgrounds, providing them with an opportunity to express their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in their own words. In doing so, we aspire to motivate and inspire other women to pursue their own paths to empowerment. Today, we are thrilled to introduce Michelle, a dedicated program director and proponent of financial independence for women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Michelle’s professional existence is as dynamic as her personal one. She is making a substantial impact as the Program Director for Impact Her, a social impact initiative that is dedicated to empowering low-income women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Mission? To facilitate the employment of one million women in the MENA region by 2030. Michelle, along with her partner from Dubai, has undergone this ambitious initiative to not only provide financial support to women but also to assist them in becoming social impact entrepreneurs.
The initiative offers low-income women the resources and assistance necessary to establish and operate their own enterprises. Participants in this 12-week program are encouraged to “pass it forward” by utilizing the advantages they have acquired to assist others. The program is entirely funded and motivated by a spirit of generosity. The objective is to create a potent ripple effect by ensuring that every woman who is assisted will in turn assist a thousand others. Michelle emphasizes that Impact Her is not about selling anything, but rather about providing a gift of opportunity and empowerment. Financial support, mentorship, and expert guidance are provided to the women in the program, allowing them to expand their enterprises and contribute to a positive social impact through a structured phase system.
Michelle’s personal philosophy and her professional endeavors are harmoniously interwoven. She embodies a life of presence, purpose, and impact, whether she is investigating the diverse neighborhoods of New York or assisting women in the MENA region in achieving financial independence. Her narrative serves as a reminder that we possess the capacity to effect change, relish the present, and assist others in our personal and professional lives.
At Impact Her, the primary objective is to enable women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to establish their own enterprises. The organization’s objective is to assist prospective entrepreneurs in transforming their aspirations into sustainable, profitable enterprises. Each woman contributes her own perspective to the program, encompassing a wide range of interests, including refugee advocacy, legal accessibility, and healthcare.
The flexibility and personalized approach of Impact Her are its greatest assets. The organization does not impose its own desires on the women it assists; rather, it offers the mentorship, resources, and tools that are essential for each entrepreneur to achieve success. Some of the 20 women in a cohort are motivated by the desire to enhance health outcomes, while others concentrate on social issues or crafts. Impact Her is responsible for assisting them in the transformation of these concepts into tangible outcomes. The program spans 12 weeks and includes four sessions per week, with an emphasis on both the internal and external components of entrepreneurship. The women are assisted by a mentor in the development of their “inner brand,” which involves the identification of their personal strengths, values, and mindset. An additional mentor emphasizes the external mechanisms of business operations, imparting critical competencies such as logistics, strategy, and operations. Collectively, they offer exhaustive assistance to assist these women in the establishment and expansion of their enterprises. Impact Her’s mission is fundamentally rooted in sustainability. The organization has a goal of guaranteeing that participants not only achieve success during the program but also continue to expand their enterprises long after it has concluded. Although the organization is presently concentrated on the MENA region, it recognizes the potential for global expansion. An interest in participating in the initiative has been expressed by women from countries including India, Brazil, and Afghanistan. Impact Her is currently in the process of refining its model in the MENA region and intends to expand to other countries once its approach has been refined. Success tales have emerged from the cohort of 20 women, and the results thus far are promising. These entrepreneurs are not only establishing enterprises for their own benefit, but they are also generating opportunities for others, thereby promoting a ripple effect of empowerment throughout the region. Impact Her anticipates that each woman it assists will empower a thousand additional women by 2030, thereby accomplishing its objective of empowering one million women.
Michelle clarified during the interview that her program does not directly generate employment opportunities; rather, it empowers women to realize their aspirations by transforming them into prosperous enterprises. She is responsible for providing mentorship and guidance to these women in a variety of disciplines, including healthcare, law, artisanship, and refugee advocacy. Michelle clarified, “We do not dictate the content of their aspirations.” Rather, her program assists them in identifying their inner calling and aligning it with external abilities to establish sustainable businesses.
Michelle underscored the significance of concentrating on “inner branding” in addition to external business procedures. This entails the cultivation of self-awareness and mindfulness, which enables women to connect with their interior selves, comprehend their emotions and thoughts, and develop resilience in the presence of external obstacles. As she states, “It is difficult to respond effectively without taking responsibility for our inner environment, which influences our perceptions and interpretations of the world.”
Michelle and her companion facilitate the participants’ personal and professional development over the course of 12 weeks on Michelle’s program. They assist these women in transforming their visions into successful enterprises, thereby enabling them to establish sustainable businesses. They convene on a weekly basis. Michelle underscored that our focus is on sustainability rather than immediate success. The women who participate in her training are situated in a variety of countries throughout the MENA region, including Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Their objective is to generate a positive cascading effect by empowering thousands of other women in their respective communities.
Michele, a native New Yorker, offers a distinctive viewpoint on urban life, which is characterized by cultural diversity, towering skyscrapers, and the constant presence of sirens. Her message of mindfulness and awareness is seamlessly integrated with the constant background noise of city life, such as sirens, as she speaks. Michelle’s life philosophy is to maintain a state of complete awareness, regardless of the circumstances. She epitomizes the philosophy of selecting how to react to external stimuli, whether it be the bustling streets of Manhattan or the contemplative moments of a museum.
Michelle considers New York to be a sanctuary. She resides in the heart of Manhattan, where she has access to a variety of cultures, including Little India, Little Korea, Chinatown, and others, all of which are within a few blocks of her residence. However, she also discusses a profound connection to nature, the seasons, and her neighborhood, which provides her with solace through the views of trees and statuary outside her window, in addition to the cultural diversity. Her philosophy on life is what is most notable. Michelle does not wait for the weekends to experience happiness; rather, she seamlessly integrates her work and passion into each day. For her, the distinctions between Monday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday are blurred, as she regards each day as an opportunity to live purposefully and appreciate her work. It is a philosophy that embodies her mindfulness and intention, providing a novel perspective on the balance between work and leisure. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of her most cherished destinations in New York, where she frequently seeks intellectual stimulation and moments of quiet. She expresses her admiration for the museum’s capacity to transport her to various cultures, such as China or Egypt, and to uplift her through its most recent exhibits. Michelle finds the Met to be more than just a museum; it is a sanctuary that ignites her enthusiasm for reflection and learning.As Michelle states, “Wherever you have chosen to live, may you enjoy your garden,” despite the fact that many may find New York overwhelming or prefer the California sunlight. Her perspective on life is fundamentally rooted in this notion of growth and contentment, irrespective of her geographical location.
Dr. Alka Chopra Madan also reflected on the success of Global Women Power’s grassroots programs and discussed their Community Kitchen initiative, which has employed over 50 women, many of whom are disadvantaged by poverty or infirmities. These kitchens prepare nutritious dishes for individuals with anemia and pregnant women. Alka pointed out, “It’s a grassroots effort that not only creates jobs but also addresses health issues within the community.”
Alka and Michelle’s conversation demonstrated that, despite the structural differences between their programs, they share a common objective: to enable women to effect enduring change in their own lives and the lives of others. Both initiatives, whether it is through entrepreneurship in the MENA region or grassroots employment efforts like the Community Kitchen, aim to assist women in achieving financial independence and making a profound social impact. The journey of Impact Her is not solely about business; it is about the realization of aspirations and the establishment of a sustainable, enduring impact. The organization is assisting women in the MENA region in becoming social impact entrepreneurs through collaborative endeavors, and the future is promising for these aspirant leaders.
Dr. Alka and Michelle engaged in a lively discussion that delved into the intricacies of personal development, holistic practices, and community involvement. Michelle emphasized her multifaceted approach to client interactions, emphasizing that she does not limit her work to conventional categories such as life consulting. Rather, she employs a comprehensive approach that encompasses a variety of well-being facets, including career guidance, nutrition, and spiritual development.
When asked about how to reach her, Michelle clarified that the most convenient method of communication is to contact her via LinkedIn or email at [[email protected]]. She also mentioned that she had a website; however, she preferred direct communication for initial inquiries. This transparency cultivates an environment that is conducive to individuals who are in search of assistance.
The conversation took an intriguing turn when they delved into Michelle’s time in India, where she studied under the renowned Yogi Bhajan. She shared her experiences of residing in Delhi and Amritsar, including the proud moment of being one of the first American women to clean the marble at the Golden Temple. This act was not only a personal accomplishment but also a symbol of the transformative power of spirituality and community, as it broke down barriers. As she recounted anecdotes about her interactions with Yogi Bhajan, Michelle’s profound respect for him was readily apparent. He was not merely a teacher; he personified the intricacies of human existence. She remarked, “People were shocked by his weaknesses,” underscoring the fact that all individuals, irrespective of their status, possess faults. This recognition of humanity serves as a reminder that progress is achieved by accepting imperfections rather than idealizing figures who may appear inaccessible. Dr. Alka contemplated the significance of comprehending that personal journeys are frequently non-linear and distinctive as they concluded their discussion. She emphasized the importance of personalization in the process of self-discovery, urging individuals to investigate what resonates with them rather than conforming to fixed frameworks.
Their dialogue expresses a more profound truth: an atmosphere of authenticity, compassion, and encouragement fosters personal development. Dr. Alka and Michelle remind us that we are never alone in our pursuit of understanding and fulfillment by sharing their experiences and insights, which encourage others to confidently embark on their own journeys.
