Women’s leadership amid shifting geopolitical landscapes and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will be under the spotlight at the International Women’s Forum (IWF) global Cornerstone Conference taking place from November 5–7, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference, set to take place under the theme “Ubuntu: I am because we are,” will highlight collaboration, shared humanity, and resilience as essential principles for addressing today’s complex global challenges. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Irene Charnley, Cornerstone Conference Co-Chair.