Meet the Founder — Dr. Sarah C. Umahi
Dr. Sarah C. Umahi is the visionary founder of the Global Initiative for Women in Leadership, a nonprofit organization rooted in compassion and driven by purpose. With a heart for the underserved, she began the work of GIFWIL in 2008, long before its official registration in 2023. Her passion lies in restoring dignity and creating safe, empowering spaces for women, children, youth, and widowers across Nigeria.
Under her leadership, GIFWIL has launched impactful initiatives – most notably an annual scholarship program that identifies and supports children out of school. Many of these children are picked directly from the streets, given proper care, enrolled in school, and provided with safe accommodation. The same transformative care is extended to vulnerable youth, guiding them from survival to stability.
Dr. Umahi’s work is not just a calling – it’s a lifelong commitment to healing broken stories and building futures filled with hope.
Sarah Umahi is a visionary leader dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality change across Africa .
As the CEO of Screen web solutions LTD, an incorporated company is Nigeria, she spearheads initiatives that foster sustainable development in entrepreneurship, real estate, technology innovation and hospitality sectors
Under her leadership, she operates in multiple African countries, including Benin republic ,Ghana, Togo and directly impacting communities.
Through GIWL, Dr. Umahi has pioneered programs that directly impact lives – from enrolling children rescued off the streets into school, to providing shelter and second chances for young people on the margins. Her leadership is hands-on, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in a belief that every life matters and every story can be rewritten.
Dr. Umahi’s vision doesn’t stand alone. GIFWIL is part of a growing global movement of initiatives working to empower women in leadership across diverse sectors. These international efforts share a common goal: to address gender disparities and elevate female voices in decision-making spaces.
Some of these key global initiatives include:
Global Mentoring Programs: Organizations like Signify offer mentoring platforms that connect aspiring women leaders with experienced mentors.
Global 100 – Women in Leadership Awards (EMG Publishing): Celebrates women making significant contributions in their industries and communities.
The Women in Public Service Project (WPSP): Part of the Wilson Center’s Global Women’s Leadership Initiative, this program empowers women in public service roles.
TechWomen: Supports and connects women leaders in STEM fields to advance gender equity in tech.
WomenLift Health: Focuses on amplifying the leadership and influence of women in global health.
GIFWIL stands proudly among these global efforts, championing a future where leadership is inclusive, compassionate, and transformative. Under Dr. Umahi’s guidance, the organization continues to rise as a beacon of hope – not only in Nigeria but as part of a global legacy of change.