We must find opportunities to make change happen - we must not tire, we must not give up, we must persist.

A country cannot make progress while leaving half of its population behind.

No country can get ahead when it leaves half of its people behind

One time I was on the road with clients with an investment bank, and they thought it would be fun to go to a strip club. It was the most barren thing I've ever seen - this poor woman had nothing on and they were throwing quarters at her.

My hope is that when someone has that call to action, they realize that everybody can do something, even if that's just changing their own thinking. Women have to change the way they think, too. Not just men.

The lack of affordable, quality child care is a ticking time bomb.

Investments in women are positively correlated to growth, prosperity, stability, democracy, health - and vital to our national security. We cannot write off the talent of half the world and expect to confront our challenges.

I have seen businesses and government come together to provide women entrepreneurs with the training they need to better access markets, take advantage of trade agreements, and in the process grow businesses, jobs, and GDP. These are partnerships that transform lives.

In India, at the community level, young men are playing an absolutely essential role in changing the cultural norms and deeply held practices concerning women. They are doing this in a way that not only empowers women and girls, but really empowers the young men as well.

I hope that through Fast Forward, we can encourage women everywhere to know their power wherever they find themselves; to find their purpose; and to connect with others in order to create a better world - especially for women and girls.