Lauren Travis and Women of the World Exchange
Posted by Adriana Dakin, Communications Strategist and Amy Wachler Communications Associate on July 9, 2007
Lauren Travis is Founder and Director of Women of the World Exchange (WOW), a cultural exchange and leadership development program for young professional women. She is also an intern at Wells Fargo and an MBA candidate at the University of San Francisco. I recently talked with her about her life and career in order to share inspiration, successes, and lessons learned with other young mission-driven women.
Lauren founded WOW for women of ambition and talent who could thrive with a place to channel their abilities by connecting with international opportunities. At 28, Lauren is already asked to speak to audiences as a social entrepreneur. She says, “I’m floored that people ask me to speak as a social entrepreneur, because I don’t always see it in myself. I think that if you’re socially conscious and want to make the world a better place, you can do that from a for-profit or nonprofit entity, working for yourself or for another. And oftentimes, it is this commitment that actually lands me a job! So I recommend wearing the title of ‘social entrepreneur’ proudly, and incorporating it in conversations. Let people know who you are and what you stand for.”
Lauren first became interested in international and cultural exchangethrough her childhood experience growing up as an African American in Hong Kong. She has lived and worked in Paris and Singapore, and has traveled extensively throughout Asia.
What are her plans for WOW? She wants to continue producing monthly events, put a conference next year, integrate coaching into the model, and one day create a center to house WOW. She says, “If I were to dream big about the 17 things I want to happen, I want to develop specialty communities within WOW. We already have a book club, where we read about women’s lives. I want to start a toastmasters club, and language and country clubs. I would love to have delegations go oversees, and bring delegations here. One day, I want to have a full center with a building, where we’re facilitating cultural exchanges, so people can immerse themselves.”
Meet Lauren Travis in person on July 19:
Panel: A Day in the Life of Social Entrepreneurs
Produced by Young Women Social Entrepreneurs http://www.ywse.org
Panelists:
- Lauren Travis, Founder and Director, Women of the World Exchange
- Liz Maw, Executive Director, Net Impact
- Rachel Pearson, Creative Captain, Speesees
Hear stories, obstacles and triumphs in setting up businesses and managing socially-conscious companies. These inspiring women will talk about how they have paved their own way—from founding a leader development program for young professional women to promoting organic and fair trade baby clothing.
Date and time: Thursday, July 19 at 6 – 8 pm in San Francisco
Further resources:
Join the Women of the World Exchange mailing list. Email wowexchange@hotmail.com.
WOW website (under development): www.wowexchange.org
WOW wiki: http://wowexchange.wikispaces.com
Young Women Social Entrepreneurs
