High-Level Overview
UPWARD (Uniting Professional Women Accelerating Relationships & Development) is a global networking organization dedicated to accelerating the advancement of executive women through member communities, corporate DEI programs, and leadership development initiatives.[1][2][3] Founded to address the gender gap in senior roles—where women enter the workforce on par with men but hold only 8% of CEO positions—it offers networking across 19 chapters worldwide, UPWARD Academy for skill-building, My UPWARD app for global connections, and programs like HiPower Executive Leadership and UPWARD Men to foster allies.[1] With over 20,000 members (91% at director level or above) from 26 industries including Intel, Apple, and Meta, UPWARD drives women's career progression while supporting companies' DEI goals, enhanced by its 2022 merger with Watermark.[1]
Origin Story
UPWARD was founded in 2013 by Chairman, Founder, and CEO Lisa Lambert in the Bay Area, California, after she observed the scarcity of women in senior executive roles and the challenges of the gender gap.[1][3] Lambert invited 90 women to her home to discuss solutions, launching the Bay Area chapter and sparking a U.S. expansion, with the first international chapter in London in 2015.[1] Key milestones include 2018 acquisitions and launches like corporate DEI programs and The Hipower Executive Leadership Program (featuring cohort "rings," workshops, and retreats); 2019 establishment of UPWARD Men for male advocates; and 2022 developments such as the Watermark merger, UPWARD Academy, and My UPWARD app.[1] This evolution transformed UPWARD from a local support network into a global entity with 20,000+ members interacting across 76 countries.[1][2]
Core Differentiators
- Global Networking Scale: 19 chapters from Seattle to London (expanding to Bangalore), My UPWARD app with a Digital Learning Library, and connections across 76 countries for executive women (91% director+ level) from top firms like Apple and Stanford.[1][2][5]
- Comprehensive Programming: UPWARD Academy (2022) for career skills and relationships; HiPower for identity exploration via workshops and retreats; co-mentoring groups for safe, peer-driven advice; and corporate frameworks building advocates, mentors, sponsors, and champions.[1][6]
- Inclusive Ecosystem: UPWARD Men (2019) engages males as allies; post-Watermark merger amplifies empathy-driven leadership and DEI support for businesses.[1]
- Proven Impact: Focuses on "fixing the leaky pipeline" to executive roles, with alumni networks, board certifications, and HiPower community involvement.[1][2]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
UPWARD rides the wave of DEI and future-of-work trends, addressing persistent gender imbalances in tech and executive leadership where informal male networks have long dominated advancement.[1][3][4] Its timing aligns with rising corporate demands for sustainable DEI amid scrutiny on women's progression—only 8% of CEOs are women—positioning it to influence ecosystems at firms like Intel, Meta, and Sephora through tailored programs that boost retention and innovation.[1] By merging networking with corporate tools, UPWARD shapes broader tech culture, fostering diverse leadership that enhances decision-making and business outcomes in a global, hybrid work era.[1][2]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
UPWARD's momentum—fueled by digital tools, global expansion, and male allyship—positions it to deepen impact amid evolving DEI landscapes, potentially scaling to 30,000+ members via new chapters like Bangalore.[1][2] Trends like AI-driven personalization in learning and hybrid networking will amplify its programs, while economic pressures may heighten demand for cost-effective leadership pipelines.[1] Its influence could evolve from networking hub to indispensable DEI partner for tech giants, "changing its corner of the world" by sustaining women's executive ascent.[1]
