About the Programs & Activities

About the Speaker

Cherie Blair CBE, QC, is a leading international lawyer, committed campaigner for women's rights, and the wife of former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Mrs. Blair is the Chancellor of the Asian University for Women (AUW), located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. She also serves as a member of AUW's Council of Patrons which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Since the University opened in 2008, Mrs. Blair has been actively involved in the development of AUW and has campaigned globally on behalf of the University in places such as Qatar, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, and the United States.

Mrs. Blair was the first member of her family to go to university. She studied law at the London School of Economics, where she graduated with a First Class Degree. In 1995, she became a Queen’s Counsel, and in 2011 she founded Omnia Strategy LLP, a boutique international law firm through which she advises and provides strategic counsel to multinational businesses, governments, and private individuals. She also continues to practice independently as a barrister.

Mrs. Blair is also the Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The charity was founded in 2008 in response to her experiences meeting women around the world and the realisation that, with the right support, women can overcome the challenges they face and play an important part in the economies and societies in which they work and live.

In 2007, Mrs. Blair was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill medal “in recognition of her high ideals and courageous actions”, and is Vice-Chair of the International Council on Women's Business Leadership, founded and chaired by former US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Mrs. Blair was an ambassador for London in 2012, supporting the UK's bid to host the Olympics, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s 2013 New Year's Honours List, for services to women's issues and to charity in the UK and overseas.

About the Women's Leadership Series

The Women’s Leadership Series (WLS) celebrates influential, diverse women making a substantive impact in both the business and culture arenas, locally and globally.

Previous programs:

Women's Leadership Panel Addresses Female Representation in the C-Suite

Former Secretary of Labor Credits "Strong Families, Education, and Hard Work" For Success

Local Leaders Share Personal and Professional Successes at Inaugural Women's Leadership Program

The Women’s Leadership Series is made possible through generous support from presenting sponsors ExxonMobil, United Airlines, and Vinson & Elkins LLP. Lead funding provided by Nancy C. Allen, BP America, Inc; Nancy T. Chang; Anne and Albert Chao; Eagle Global Advisors; and Wells Fargo. Funding also provided by Cathay Bank; EastWest Bank; Dr. Alice Brams and Diana Sun; the Mandy Kao Foundation; Sultana and Moez Mangalji; Michelle and Catherine Herrera; Amegy Bank, and an anonymous Friend of Asia Society Texas Center.

The Women's Leadership Steering committee is chaired by Dr. Anne Chao and Paula W. Hinton. Members include Nancy C. Allen, Ming Chen Burdette, Donna Cole, Kathy Goossen, Michelle Herrera, Kay Ikawa, Mandy Kao, Rosine Matthews, and Y. Ping Sun. Henrietta Holsman Fore serves as an honorary member. Incoming FY17 – 18 Members: Shirley Kwan, Sultana Mangalji and Vani Rao.