Leading with Impact: Insights from the Global Leadership Workshop in Prague, Czech Republic

From January 3rd to 5th, 2025, Shalvi Saurin Shah had the esteemed honour of representing India at the Global Leadership Workshop (GLoW) in Prague, Czech Republic. Hosted under the Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders Programme by the U.S. Department of State, this prestigious event convened 80 distinguished women leaders from over 20 countries to engage in critical discussions on leadership in public policy, adaptive versus technical leadership, and cross-border collaboration.

During the workshop, Shalvi presented Project MAHS: Menstrual Awareness, Hygiene, and Sanitation, an initiative dedicated to improving menstrual health and sanitation accessibility. Through extensive community outreach, Project MAHS has impacted over 1,000 women in Gujarat by conducting awareness workshops, distributing sustainable menstrual products, and advocating for policy interventions. The program also provided an opportunity for participants to refine and propose projects, leading to Shalvi securing an $800 grant from the U.S. State Department to further expand Project MAHS’ impact.

This engagement was not only a platform for leadership development but also a profound cultural and intellectual experience. Discussions on public policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable governance were complemented by insights into Prague’s historical and political landscape, drawing parallels between policy adaptability and the city’s architectural and economic resilience.

Shalvi extends her deepest gratitude to Ahmedabad University, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in her academic and professional growth, and to the Indian School of Public Policy, where she is currently pursuing Public Policy, Design, and Management.

Key Insights from the Global Leadership Workshop

🔹 Adaptive Leadership: Addressing policy challenges that require shifts in societal norms rather than mere technical solutions.
🔹 Strategic Collaboration: The importance of inclusive leadership, as reflected in the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
🔹 Long-term Policy Impact: The significance of identifying a North Star, a guiding vision to navigate complex policy environments.

Pictures from the event:

ISPP scholar Shahvi Shah had an incredible and enriching experience representing India at the Global Leadership Workshop in Prague. Over three days, she participated in insightful discussions on leadership in public policy, engaged with inspiring women from 20+ countries, and secured a grant to advance Project MAHS: Menstrual Awareness, Hygiene, and Sanitation. She is grateful for this opportunity to learn, grow, and drive meaningful impact.

Shahvi had a surreal and enriching experience reconnecting with brilliant women from the Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Programme across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts in Prague.

As a proud alumna of the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) Programme, she participated in thought-provoking discussions on public policy from a global perspective—examining challenges across different countries, sharing policy interventions, and learning from diverse experiences. It was inspiring to see how these varied backgrounds converged into a shared vision of impact-driven change in governance, development, and leadership.

A highlight of the experience was receiving another micro-grant from the U.S. Department of State to further develop and scale projects. This grant reaffirms the importance of their work and empowers them to advance initiatives in gender equity, education reform, climate action, and community empowerment.

Being part of this powerful network of changemakers reinforces that leadership is not just about individual success but about collective growth, collaboration, and action. Shahvi is honoured and deeply inspired to continue this journey alongside phenomenal women, committed to driving meaningful change—one policy at a time.g

Six young women from across India—Gujarat, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kerala, and Mumbai—came together through the U.S. Department of State’s Global Leadership Workshop (GLoW), bound by a shared commitment to shaping public policy and driving change.

Their conversations reflected the richness of their backgrounds as they explored policy through a global lens, analysing its local implications and learning from each other’s experiences. Each of them is working on a different aspect of public policy—some focusing on gender equity and community development, others on education reform, climate resilience, international relations, and governance. These discussions weren’t just theoretical; they were rooted in real-world challenges, with each participant bringing unique perspectives shaped by their regions and the communities they belong to.

This experience reinforced that policy isn’t just about laws and governance—it’s about people, collaboration, and voices coming together to create meaningful, lasting impact. Because when young women step into leadership, they don’t just participate in conversations; they shape them.

Some moments define a journey—this is one of them. Standing beside Dr Alesia Woszidlo, mentor and programme coordinator of the Global Leadership Workshop (GLoW), Shahvi Shah reflects on the transformative power of mentorship and leadership.

Dr Woszidlo’s expertise in interpersonal communication and leadership has shaped the way young leaders approach policymaking—not just as a process, but as a dynamic, people-centred conversation. Her guidance has reinforced that true leadership lies in understanding perspectives, fostering meaningful dialogue, and driving impact through empathy and action.

Beyond theories and frameworks, GLoW was about cultivating a global vision—one that challenges participants to think critically, lead with integrity, and create policies that serve communities at their core. Shahvi is incredibly honoured to have been mentored by someone whose work continues to inspire change-makers around the world.

This is more than just a photograph—this is history in the making.

80 women. 20 countries. Countless stories. One shared vision.

Each of them stands not just as individuals but as representatives of their nations, organisations, and the change they are determined to create. From different cultures, languages, and lived experiences, they converged in one place—united by a purpose larger than themselves.

This moment was never expected, but perhaps it was always meant to be. Because when 80 women from across the world come together, barriers break, voices amplify, and impact becomes inevitable.

Here’s to the power of Young Women Leaders, to rewriting the narrative, and to a future where diversity is a strength and unity is a superpower.

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Shalvi Shah
PDM Scholar, Class of 2025

In the bustling heart of Ahmedabad, where tradition meets innovation, emerges Shalvi Saurin Shah—a name synonymous with transformation. As an ISPP Scholar at the prestigious Indian School of Public Policy, Shalvi is on a mission to reshape the world. A gold medalist from Ahmedabad University, her academic brilliance is rivalled only by her passion for social impact. Through her groundbreaking project, MAHS (Menstrual Awareness, Hygiene, and Sanitation), Shalvi is dismantling taboos and uplifting communities. Globally recognised by the United Nations Academic Impact and the SUSI Program for Young Women Leaders, her accolades are a testament to her dedication. With ISPP as her platform, Shalvi is poised to drive policy changes that truly matter. Her journey is a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unwavering commitment to social change, making her an invaluable asset to any forward-thinking organisation.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalvi-shah-1734721a0/