Elite Traveler Summer 2024

Rolex / Sébastien Agnetti

Taking the initiative by Roberta Naas also mentorship, networking opportunities and invaluable resources. They have even implemented an entire fellowship program that educates and helps the fellows with challenges they face in business. According to Wingee Sin, global program director of Cartier Women’s Initiative, “It’s really not only about giving them fi nancial support but also a sense In a world where luxury often conjures images of opulence and extravagance, renowned watch brands are stepping up to rede fi ne their role in society. Original strategies like the Cartier Women’s Initiative and Rolex Awards for Enterprise are designed to support and nurture entrepreneurial ventures. By spearheading these initiatives, these

Science and Technology Pioneer Award fi eld include 37-year-old Ninna Granucci from France for her company, Green Spot Technologies, and its production of fermented and upcycled food and agricultural products; 55-year-old Lynne Lim from Singapore, whose NousQ business deals in health and medical devices focused on meeting huge unmet needs; and 34-year-old Monika Tomecka, whose uFraction8 company focuses on helping biomanufacturers (such as of lab-grown meat) to increase production by 6-10 times over that of existing bioreactors. The impressive list goes on and on, with winners in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category focusing on AI-powered audio platforms for a ‘blind-friendly’ world, reducing barriers to independent dressing in people with disabilities and more. Cartier may be a luxury company, but according to Sin, the decision to continue with the initiative is paramount. Supporting visionary women-impact entrepreneurs helps to reshape industries and Since its creation, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported nearly 300 women fr om 6 3 countries, channeling almost $ 10 min fi nancial support

of belonging. As a woman, when you are in the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem, you face challenges and, the more community you have around you, it gives you an alliance. So this education and fellowship are key pillars of the program.” Since its creation, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has supported nearly 300 women from 63 countries, channeling almost $10m in fi nancial support. While the program initially awarded fi ve fellows annually, today it awards 33 individuals per year — recognizing e ff orts in a spectrum of fi elds ranging from technology to healthcare. In addition to nine regional awards (with a fi rst-, second-, and third place winner in each), the initiative also recently added two themed awards: Science and Technology Pioneer Award (announced in 2021) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award (implemented for 2023). The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award is open to all genders. “The world needs all of us. We need individuals to make social and environmental change decisions. We already have diversity, but we need inclusivity,” saidSin. The 33 fellows named for 2023 were just recently honored at a ceremony in Europe. The winners in the

brands are having a profound impact on the individuals and the projects they support — ultimately ful fi lling local grassroots and global needs. These initiatives mark a paradigm shift in the role of luxury brands and corporate social responsibility. With corporate social responsibility increasingly becoming a key metric for success, these initiatives stand as beacons of inspiration and remind us that luxury, when coupled with a genuine commitment to social impact, can be a powerful force for positive change. As watch brands continue to invest in the potential of individuals who possess the capabilities to transform the world, they set a new precedent that underscores individual acts for the greater good of mankind. The Cartier Women’s Initiative, for instance, empowers trailblazing women who are visionary entrepreneurs. Initially launched in 2006 as a forum, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has become an annual entrepreneurship program committed to fostering innovative, sustainable business ideas. Each year, the initiative, via a complex vetting and jury system, selects a group of ‘fellows’ from a long list of applicants who meet the initial high-impact criteria and provides them with not just fi nancial support but