Women’s Leadership and Youth Empowerment Spotlighted at UN Global Compact High-Level Week

Women’s Leadership and Youth Empowerment Spotlighted at UN Global Compact High-Level Week

New York, September 2025 — Jing Zhao Cesarone, Founder and CEO of the Global CSR Foundation (GCSRF), joined distinguished global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week for the side-event “The Future of Business Education: A Turning Point for Leadership and Society,” hosted by the UN Global Compact and its Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative.

Held at the UN Global Compact Hub in New York, the event convened policymakers, educators, investors, and innovators to explore how business education can be reimagined to drive sustainable development, responsible leadership, and social impact worldwide.

Championing Women’s Leadership and Responsible Innovation

Cesarone was a featured panelist on “Partnering to Support Youth Action and Innovation,” moderated by Meredith Storey, Senior Manager at the UN Global Compact PRME Programme. Fellow speakers included Kadir Gungor, Chairman of Sustainable Impact Capital; Philipp Assmus, CEO of FyrstGen; and Eva Amer Slika, PRME Students Middle East Regional Leader from the American University of Beirut.

In her remarks, Cesarone underscored the vital role of women’s leadership, mentorship, and empowerment in advancing ethical business and global sustainability. She highlighted how emerging technologies, digital platforms, and inclusive education can help young leaders—particularly women—shape a more equitable and innovative future.

“We are entering an era where innovation and purpose must walk hand in hand,” Cesarone said. “The next generation of leaders is not just seeking success—they are seeking significance. Through mentorship and technology, we can unlock their potential to create impact aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers

The session also featured the launch of the Student Innovation Studio, a new PRME initiative designed to foster student-led innovation and entrepreneurship aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Cesarone shared perspectives from her work at the Global CSR Foundation, which has championed programs that empower youth, women, and entrepreneurs to create scalable solutions for global challenges through cross-sector collaboration.

Her participation at the UNGA High-Level Week reflects her continued leadership in bridging global education, gender equality, and technology empowerment, as well as her lifelong commitment to advancing responsible business and social innovation worldwide.