Esther Ijewere Named Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador

Award-winning media strategist, women’s advocate and Women of Rubies Founder Esther Ijewere has been named a Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador by the Universal Womens Network™.

The appointment recognizes Ijewere’s continued commitment to amplifying women’s voices, celebrating women’s achievements and creating platforms that help women gain visibility, recognition and access to meaningful opportunities.

She joins a distinguished group of Women of Inspiration® Award recipients who have demonstrated purposeful leadership, championed other women and created lasting impact within their industries and communities.

Esther Ijewere Joins a Global Community of Women Leaders

The Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors represent nearly a decade of award recipients who have stepped forward to support the continued growth and vision of the Universal Womens Network™ and the Global Women of Inspiration® Summit.

Through their leadership, influence and professional networks, the ambassadors will continue to champion women, encourage meaningful connections and help create opportunities for women across industries and communities.

For Ijewere, the appointment represents an extension of the work she has led for more than a decade through media, strategic communications, advocacy and the Women of Rubies platform.

“I am deeply honoured to be named a Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador. This appointment is more than a personal recognition; it is another opportunity to continue amplifying women’s voices, celebrating their achievements and helping more women access the visibility and opportunities they deserve,” said Esther Ijewere.

“My work has always been rooted in the belief that women deserve to be seen, heard, supported and recognized. I look forward to contributing my experience in media, storytelling, strategic communications and advocacy to this global community of women leaders.”

Recognizing Esther Ijewere’s Advocacy and Impact

Ijewere was previously named the 2023 Women of Inspiration® Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award recipient.

The award recognized her commitment to advancing women through media representation, editorial storytelling, advocacy, community building and strategic visibility.

Through Women of Rubies, Ijewere has created a platform that spotlights women across business, leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, social impact, career development and community service.

Since establishing Women of Rubies in 2015, she has continued to use storytelling and media as tools for representation, empowerment and opportunity creation.

Her work has also expanded beyond editorial features to include public relations, media strategy, visibility training, communications consulting and community-focused initiatives designed to help women communicate their value more effectively.

Building Visibility Through Women of Rubies

Women of Rubies was created to ensure that women’s stories, achievements and contributions receive the attention they deserve.

Through its editorial platform, Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Visibility Bootcamp, the Media Pitch Challenge and other initiatives, the organization provides women with practical tools to strengthen their voices, improve their public profiles and position themselves for greater opportunities.

The Media Visibility Bootcamp has empowered more than 600 participants across five cohorts and is currently preparing for its sixth edition.

The programme brings together media professionals, entrepreneurs, communications experts and women leaders to share practical strategies on storytelling, personal branding, public relations, digital visibility and thought leadership.

Ijewere believes that visibility should extend beyond simply being noticed online.

“Visibility is about ensuring that women’s work, perspectives and contributions are represented in the media, professional spaces and conversations shaping our communities and industries,” she said.

“When women learn how to communicate their value confidently, they are better positioned to attract opportunities, build meaningful relationships and influence the spaces they enter.”

Monica Kretschmer Celebrates the Global Ambassadors

The Global Ambassador announcement was made by Monica Kretschmer, Founder and CEO of the Universal Womens Network™ and the visionary behind the Women of Inspiration® Awards.

In announcing the ambassadors, Kretschmer described them as women who consistently demonstrate leadership while creating opportunities for others.

“These women embody what it means to lead by example. They continue to champion women, build meaningful connections and help shape the vision,” Kretschmer said.

She thanked the ambassadors for supporting the Women of Inspiration® vision, encouraging other women and demonstrating the importance of embracing leadership, growth and visibility.

Meet the Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors

Esther Ijewere joins an accomplished group of award recipients selected as Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors.

The ambassadors include Donna Dahl, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Selection Committee Co-Chair; Yvonne E.L. Silver, 2018 Mentorship Award recipient and Global Ambassador Chair; Patricia Gagic, 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Selection Committee Co-Chair; and Victoria Nguyen, ICD.D, 2021 Authentic Leader Award recipient.

The group also includes Shannon Smadella, MBA, 2022 NEST Award recipient; Chantal Brine, 2022 Mentorship Award recipient; Catherine R. Bell, 2023 Vision Builder Award recipient; Esther Ijewere, 2023 Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award recipient; Preethi Balasubramanian, 2024 Rising Leader Award recipient; and Laura McLand, 2025 Authentic Leader Award recipient.

Collectively, the ambassadors bring experience across media, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, mentorship, advocacy, innovation, community development and organizational transformation.

Creating Opportunities for Other Women

One of the central messages of the Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassador initiative is that women do not always have to wait for opportunities to be presented to them.

They can create platforms, build relationships, communicate their achievements and open doors for themselves and others.

This message closely reflects Ijewere’s work through Women of Rubies.

Over the years, she has encouraged women to move beyond quietly doing good work and begin communicating their achievements with greater clarity and confidence.

She has also used her platform to spotlight women whose stories may otherwise be overlooked, including immigrant women, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, professionals, advocates and women creating change outside traditional centres of influence.

“When women intentionally use their voices, networks and influence to support one another, we create possibilities that extend far beyond individual success,” Ijewere said.

“I am excited to build meaningful relationships with the other ambassadors and contribute to collaborations that create greater visibility and access for women across cultures, industries and communities.”

A New Chapter for Esther Ijewere

Being named a  Women of Inspiration Global Ambassador marks another significant chapter in Esther Ijewere’s work as a media strategist and women’s advocate.

The appointment provides an opportunity to bring her experience in media, communications, storytelling and community building into a wider global network.

It also reinforces her commitment to helping women embrace their accomplishments, strengthen their credibility and confidently take their place in spaces where important decisions and opportunities are created.

As a Global Ambassador, Ijewere will continue supporting conversations and initiatives that promote women’s leadership, representation, recognition and professional advancement.

About Esther Ijewere

Esther Ijewere is a multi-award-winning Canada-based media strategist, speaker, author, columnist and women’s advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of Women of Rubies, a media and communications platform and boutique PR company dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and providing visibility solutions for entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders and organizations.

Ijewere is also a Guardian newspaper columnist and the convener of the Media Visibility Bootcamp. Through her work in media, storytelling, advocacy and strategic communications, she helps women communicate their value, build credible brands and gain recognition for their leadership and impact.

About Women of Rubies

Founded in 2015, Women of Rubies is a women’s media, communications and visibility platform committed to amplifying women’s voices globally.

Through editorial storytelling, public relations, media strategy, visibility training, Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Visibility Bootcamp, the Media Pitch Challenge and community initiatives, the organization helps women tell their stories, strengthen their public profiles and position themselves for greater opportunities.

Women of Rubies congratulates Esther Ijewere and the other Women of Inspiration® Global Ambassadors on this important recognition.