“I moderated a panel focusing just on women and the specific challenges that women entrepreneurs face. And we found that around the world, the challenges are the same, whether it is gaining access to capital, risk-taking, or the ability to expand beyond a small business and grow.”

American businesswoman, attorney and former government official

Valerie Jarrett is an American businesswoman, attorney, and former government official. She has led the Obama Foundation as chief executive officer since 2021, and was the longest-serving senior adviser to President Barack Obama. In the White House, she headed the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the Council on Women and Girls. Before that, she served as chief executive officer of The Habitat Company and was a co-chair of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.