The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders from a variety of fields experience the country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. These visits reflect the visitors’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the US government. They also get firsthand experience of the United States, its people and its culture.
The US Department of State sponsored an International Visitor Leadership Program project entitled ‘Small Business Development for Women Business Leaders for India’. The program, administered by Graduate School USA, was held from April 29 to May 17, 2019.
Eight women entrepreneurs working in different sectors across India were part of the IVLP visit to the US. The three-week program was an amazing experience to the participants and it helped them to learn more about the American culture. During the visit, the entrepreneurs visited Washington, Boston, Detroit, Tulsa and Portland.
The IVLP creates opportunity for business professionals and academic collaborations and offers direct exposure to American system and values. IVLP specially focuses on business development for women entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs got an opportunity to meet representatives of different organisations, both government and private that support women in businesses.
Sonali Madhukar Bhope, Founding Director of AdAge Media and Biz Mentor; Aardra Chandra Mouli, Founder & Managing Director, Aeka Biochemicals; Sagarika Gandhi, Founder, Agpulse; Anuradha Goswami, Deputy Director, Indian Chamber of Commerce- Assam; Nisha Krishnan, founder, Director & Editor-in-chief, Channeliam.com; Swosti Mishra, Executive Director, Bhubaneswar Chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs; Chandra Vadhana, Founder and Cheif Mentor Prayaana and Gurpreet Kaur Sahni, Proprietor, Noor Enterprises were the eight participants who represented India at the IVLP.
Over 500 current and former heads of Government and state and many other distinguished world leaders from the public and private sectors have participated in the International Visitor leadership program.
