Building Momentum: More Speakers Announced for the IWG Global Summit

IWG Global Summit 2026 continues to build momentum with the announcement of its next wave of influential speakers, bringing together global leaders who are embedding equity into the systems, structures and decisions that shape sport every day.

We are proud to unveil the latest confirmed speakers joining us in Birmingham - each bringing deep expertise, lived experience and a proven track record of driving meaningful, systemic change across governance, innovation, investment, participation and representation.

The newly announced speakers include:

• Liz Dawson, President, New Zealand Olympic Committee

• Leigh Burns, Founder & CEO, Lacuna Sports

• Rohn Malhotra, Founder, SportsTechX

• Dorcas Amakobe, Executive Director, Moving the Goalposts

• Eve Holt, Head of Policy & Implementation, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

• Kelly-Marie Rodgers, Strategic Lead, Healthy Active Places, GM Moving

• Jacqueline Bourke, Senior Director of Creative, Getty Images

• Ngozi Weller, Director, Aurora

The IWG Global Summit 2026 will take place in Birmingham, UK, on 9th–11th July, convening leaders from governments, international federations, professional sport, academia, brands and advocacy organisations to drive practical solutions for women and girls in sport.

This next wave of speakers reflects the Summit’s commitment to addressing equity at every level - from Olympic governance and global investment to grassroots participation and the power of representation. Together, they will help shape conversations focused not just on progress, but on how to embed lasting, systemic change.

Staged across three dynamic days, the Summit will provide a highly curated platform for sharing best practice, insight and innovation, while equipping organisations and leaders with the tools, evidence and partnerships needed to deliver long-term impact.

Hosted in one of the UK’s most diverse and dynamic cities, the Summit will continue to build on the IWG’s long-standing role in shaping global policy and practice for gender equity in sport and physical activity.