Our Work
Case study
Los Angeles County
Women and Girls Initiative
In 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed an ambitious motion asking for a county-wide adoption of Gender Impact Assessments (GIA) to implement the county’s ordinance on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) - also known as the International Bill of Rights for All Women and Girls.
A Gender Impact Assessment is a tool used by the United Nations, governments, and non-profits to understand the needs, experiences, and opportunities of all women and girls, men and boys, and those on the gender spectrum. It is a methodology that teaches us to question the assumption that policies, programs, and services affect or benefit people in the same way and helps staff estimate the impact – positive, negative, or neutral – on different groups.
Between 2021 and 2024, Refolda spearheaded the development and implementation of the GIA Program to implement the county’s CEDAW ordinance into county operations and thirty-nine departments when the county acts as a service provider, employer, and partner. This program has transformed county departments to become gender-responsive by helping them identify gender gaps and develop goals, strategies, and metrics to address these gaps.
With Los Angeles County employing over 100,000 people and serving a population of over 10 million, the GIA Program is the largest roll-out and use of gender impact assessments in the United States. Refolda’s work with the GIA Program has received a 2022 Silver Telly Award in the category of internal communications and a 2023 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties in the category of personnel management, employment, and training. In 2024, WGI presented the County’s progress in advancing gender equity during several sessions on sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City and at a United Nations CEDAW Committee Briefing in Geneva.
Learn more at LACounty.gov.
Read the 2024 GIA Progress Report here.
Read the Women and Girls Initiative Implementation Report here.
Case study
Global First Ladies Alliance
The Global First Ladies Alliance (GFLA) supports First Ladies and their Senior Advisors in setting priorities, establishing strategic partnerships, and developing strategies to generate positive impact through leadership training and technical assistance. Refolda has supported GFLA with curriculum development, project management, partnerships, and evaluation since 2019.
In 2023, Refolda helped GFLA launch the first annual Global First Ladies Academy - a certified leadership training in health and development tailored to First Ladies. The Academy is a partnership between GFLA, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and First Ladies’ Regional Networks, such as the Organization of African First Ladies for Development.
The inaugural academy was attended by the First Ladies and Senior Advisors from Botswana, Burundi, The Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, participated in a roundtable with the attending First Ladies to discuss their respective priorities, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.
Between July 10-12, 2024, Refolda supported GFLA and Columbia Mailman in hosting the second annual academy at the Ford Foundation in New York City, with support from the GE HealthCare Foundation, Merck, PepsiCo Foundation, Prosper Africa, and the Rockefeller Foundation. The second iteration of the academy convened 14 First Ladies and over 20 Senior Advisors from 17 countries, including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, Paraguay, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Belize, Guyana, Suriname, Ukraine, and Iraq.
Learn more at GFLA.org.
View GLFA in the news & media.
Watch the Global First Ladies Academy 2023 video here.
Case study
The End Fund
Between 2020 and 2022, Refolda led the GFLA and The END Fund partnership and launch of the NTD Champion Program, a network of champions from across Africa working to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and lift women and families out of poverty. The program was created to help The END Fund break the cycle of neglect and put neglected tropical diseases on African leaders’ radar.
NTD champions participating in the program took significant action in support of ending NTDs, e.g., by
Writing Op-Eds and LinkedIn articles
Hosting local and Pan-African events to inform and recruit other leaders
Reaching out and engaging NTD coordinators in their respective countries
Presenting on NTDs at meetings and conferences
Advocating for the inclusion of NTDs in CSR strategies
Participating in World NTD Day
Making introductions to possible financial donors and new champions
Learn more at END.org.
Read more in The New Times and CNBC Africa.
Case study
Inspiring Girls
Between 2020 and 2022, Refolda led the establishment of Inspiring Girls USA, a chapter of the global non-profit Inspiring Girls International, which operates in over thirty countries to raise girls' aspirations by connecting them with women role models from all walks of life.
As the primary contractor, Refolda set up the 501(c)(3) status, assembled and managed the board of directors and advisory board, and crafted a strategic framework underpinning the organization's day-to-day operations and long-term vision. As part of this work, Refolda conducted a comprehensive assessment, including a SWOT analysis, mapping Inspiring Girls’ opportunities, strengths, and challenges in implementing its mission in the United States.
During the project period, Refolda helped Inspiring Girls navigate the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, e.g., limited opportunities to secure grants and organize in-person events with schools and service providers. Despite these obstacles, Refolda recruited and motivated women role models to join the organization, while forging new partnerships with the launch of the Inspiring Girls Role Model Series. During her time as Interim Director, Caroline Toren oversaw operations that resulted in the recruitment of over 40 new role models, 30 role model videos for the Inspiring Girls Video Hub, and partnerships with over eight implementing schools and non-profits.
Learn more at Inspiring-Girls.com and InspiringGirlsUSA.org.
Case study
National Association of Women Business Owners
Refolda was hired to lead the implementation of the Pathways to Corporate Boards Program, launched by the National Association of Women Business Owners - California Education Fund. This program equips, educates, and positions high-potential, diverse women business owners, executives, and leaders for corporate board leadership through mentorship and coaching from diverse board members.
Between 2020 and 2022, Refolda co-led two cohorts with 10–16 women entrepreneurs and board directors who served as mentors. As part of this work, Refolda ensured program participants received i) coaching and mentorship from a seasoned corporate director, ii) guidance on how to develop a board statement and a value proposition, ii) individualized recommendations for training resources, and iv) opportunities to network with peers and board leaders.
Learn more at NAWBO.org.
