LAS VEGAS, NV — GEMS World Dialogue introduced the Women-Led Investment Network (WIN) during a June 8, 2026, event at Otonomus Las Vegas. Led by GEMS World Dialogue founder Nora Abou Chakra with the support of Nevada Special Envoy Philippe Ziade, the initiative aims to expand women’s access to financial education, professional networks, and investment opportunities while supporting progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 5.

The Las Vegas launch brought together business leaders, investors, public officials, diplomats, nonprofit representatives, and community advocates. The program focused on a central concern: many women have the knowledge and ability to participate in financial markets but remain less likely to invest because of lower confidence, limited exposure, and unequal access to financial networks.

News 3 Las Vegas later featured founding steering committee members Madena Roe and Andrea Gonzales, who discussed WIN’s goal of helping more women develop the knowledge, relationships, and confidence needed to participate in investing.

Addressing the Financial Confidence Gap

Research indicates that confidence plays a meaningful role in the financial-literacy gap between men and women.

A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that women were more likely to select “do not know” when answering financial-literacy questions. The researchers estimated that lower confidence explained approximately one-third of the measured gender gap.

The findings do not suggest that knowledge differences have disappeared. However, they show that conventional financial-literacy tests can sometimes measure confidence as well as financial understanding.

Research involving younger people points to a similar need for earlier financial education. The OECD’s PISA 2022 assessment found only a small average financial-literacy performance gap among 15-year-olds. However, boys generally reported greater confidence in handling financial tasks and more exposure to financial topics at home and in daily life.

These differences can influence whether young women later feel prepared to save, invest, evaluate risk, or take part in financial discussions.

Investment behavior may also produce different outcomes. A Warwick Business School analysis followed 2,800 investors using Barclays accounts over 36 months. Women’s annual returns were reported as 1.94 percentage points above the FTSE 100, compared with 0.14 percentage points for men—a difference of 1.8 percentage points.

The researchers associated the difference with behavior such as trading less frequently, taking fewer speculative positions, and maintaining a longer-term approach. Although the findings cannot predict the performance of every investor, they challenge the assumption that greater trading activity necessarily produces stronger results.

WIN’s Three-Part Approach

WIN is being developed around three connected areas: education, access, and community impact.

The educational component is intended to introduce women to important financial concepts, including investment terminology, risk assessment, diversification, and long-term planning. The objective is to make financial information easier to understand without presenting investing as inaccessible or reserved for financial professionals.

The second component focuses on access. WIN plans to connect participants with experienced investors, business leaders, advisers, and appropriate investment discussions. Any investment activity will remain subject to applicable legal, financial, eligibility, and regulatory requirements.

The third component connects financial participation with community support. Organizers said WIN’s long-term framework is intended to direct part of its program-related proceeds or future returns toward organizations serving women facing financial and personal hardship.

Southern Nevada organizations Signs of HOPE and SafeNest were recognized during the launch for their work supporting people affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, and related forms of abuse.

Their involvement highlights the connection between financial independence and personal safety. Counseling, shelter, legal assistance, and emotional support are essential, but access to money, housing, and employment can also determine whether someone is able to leave an unsafe situation and rebuild independently.

Leadership and Community Recognition

The event was held under the patronage of Philippe Ziade, Special Envoy for the State of Nevada to Europe and Africa. Ziade is also the founder and CEO of Growth Holdings and serves as Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Nevada.

During the program, a ceremonial WIN Monument was unveiled to represent the initiative’s commitment to women’s financial participation and leadership.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Stacey Gualandi served as Master of Ceremonies and guided the program’s discussions, presentations, and community recognition.

Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony attended and publicly expressed support for the launch. The event also included recognition connected with representatives of Nevada’s congressional delegation, including the offices of U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford and Susie Lee.

WIN’s founding steering committee brings together leaders with experience in finance, media, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, and community advocacy. Members will help shape its educational programming, partnerships, events, and social-impact priorities.

The evening concluded with interviews and media activities introducing the initiative to audiences beyond the launch event.

Connecting Business, Education, and Sustainable Development

On June 23, 2026, the LAU Adnan Kassar School of Business signed a three-year memorandum of understanding establishing the school as a strategic execution partner for GEMS World Dialogue.

The agreement provides a framework for research, leadership development, student participation, international collaboration, and projects connected to measurable social impact. The partnership draws on the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education framework while remaining institutionally separate from the United Nations.

Through WIN, GEMS World Dialogue intends to connect financial education with practical participation and community support. Its broader objective is to turn conversations about gender equality into structured programs with identifiable partners and measurable outcomes.

About GEMS World Dialogue

GEMS World Dialogue is an independent international initiative focused on bringing together business, academic, diplomatic, and community leaders to support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Its developing network includes participants and partners working across 50 countries.

GEMS World Dialogue is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United Nations. Its collaboration with the LAU Adnan Kassar School of Business uses the Principles for Responsible Management Education framework to support research, education, and responsible leadership.

The Women-Led Investment Network is an initiative developed under GEMS World Dialogue to advance financial education, investment participation, professional collaboration, and community impact related to SDG 5.

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