Marilyn Johnson is the CEO of the International Women’s Forum and formerly a 35-year marketing executive at IBM. She is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in Working Mother magazine, ESSENCE magazine, Minority Business News, The Financial Times, The Atlanta Tribune, The Network Journal Magazine, Enterprising Women magazine, Uptown Professional and BizWomen.

One of the most common questions asked of any child is the proverbial, “so, what do you want to be when you grow up?”  For most of us, the answer at six is not the same answer at 26 or even 56. As we mature, it changes many times and our professional journeys evolve. I’ve been a school teacher, a news broadcaster and a marketing executive at IBM. Now I’m the CEO of the largest global membership organization for women leaders – the International Women’s Forum.  I could not have told you at 26 that this is where I would be spending my time and energy. However, the one thing that has remained constant across my life is that I’m determined to make a difference.

I am the product of a long line of passionate, intelligent, generous, driven-in-their-own-way women. These role models have made a deep imprint on the way that I conduct my business and the way that I approach leadership. They include Exa B. Madison, my mother, Dr. Dorothy Height, Deedee Corradini and Sheila Johnson. Just like the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame honorees (pictured above) each of these women have an undeniable sense of self. I feel fortunate to have had great mentors in my life. It’s critical for women in business to have the opportunity to learn from mentors.

The focus of the International Women’s Forum is to advance better leadership by creating better leaders, and inexorably better mentors and role models for all women. We are a global organization of 6,088 members in 33 countries on six continents, and we believe our mission isn’t just a woman’s issue. We believe that better leadership delivers stronger economies, equitable policies and practices and aims to defeat the staggered starting line. A rising tide lifts all boats – that is a matter of fact.

This is why, through support from Knight Foundation, the International Women’s Forum will be in Miami this July to conduct one of our signature programs – the Executive Development Roundtable. This two-day intensive leadership and development training for female entrepreneurs in the Miami area delivers powerful, informative and (we hope) inspirational lessons from successful women who know what works. Participants will have the opportunity to soak in knowledge focused on adaptability, resiliency, funding, personal branding and more. We place phenomenal, inspiring, candid leaders in front of emerging leaders to help provide guidance as they search for answers on their professional journey.

We believe the International Women’s Forum will advance Knight’s goals in Miami of igniting and building the city’s innovation culture. We are excited to bring this important program to Miami and support the important role that women have to play in making the city more of a place where ideas are built.