Empowering Women To Reach New Heights
Our Mission
The International Women’s Chamber of Commerce – UK Chapter empowers women in business through global connections, mentorship, and market-focused programming. In partnership with our Chapter Chair and the GHWCC Board Liaison, we link the UK’s dynamic talent with international opportunities—helping members grow companies, careers, and impact. Join us to connect, collaborate, and lead.
UK Chapter Chair
Jurga Zilinskiene MBE
Founder & CEO
Guildhawk
Chair of The International Women’s Chamber of Commerce UK Chapter
UK Chapter Liaison
Kim Coomber Hallum
Head of Workplace Solutions, Americas
bp
UK Chapter Liaison
2025 GHWCC Chair of the Board
Key Programs & Initiatives
Trade:
Providing resources for trade between Texas and the UK.
Education:
Job shadowing opportunities for high school and college students; educational and leadership opportunities for women at all levels in their careers.
Women on Board:
Providing education and resources to prepare women to serve on boards.
Entrepreneurship:
Resources and support for small businesses, including access to capital and contracts.
Economic Development Trip to London 2025
Norton Rose Fulbright UK Reception
Key Highlights
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GHWCC launched the United Kingdom Chapter of the International Women’s Chamber of Commerce (IWCC) at Norton Rose Fulbright in London, with views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
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The inaugural reception convened 90 women leaders across sectors (legal, finance, media, marketing, government, trade, public services, armed forces, and education) to commit to empowering women and girls globally.
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President & CEO Suzan Deison led a Houston delegation (traveling at their own expense) and emphasized mentorship, skills-building, and cross-border collaboration; she also noted support from the British Chambers of Commerce to explore stronger UK–Texas trade ties.
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Norton Rose Fulbright welcomed the chapter launch, with partner Chris Grieves highlighting the ongoing need to increase women’s representation on boards and in leadership.
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Jurga Zilinskiene MBE (Guildhawk / GAI Translate) was named Chair of the UK Chapter, recognized for international trade leadership and long-standing partnership with GHWCC, and spoke about preparing women for rapid AI-driven change.
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The evening closed with networking and a showcase of GAI Translate, alongside Zilinskiene’s commitment to donate 50% of each subscription to support the new IWCC chapter.
Read the full press release
London, United Kingdom – In a landmark event held at the terrace suite of Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF), overlooking the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the modern towers of the City of London, the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC) proudly announced the launch of the United Kingdom Chapter of the International Women’s Chamber of Commerce (IWCC).
The inaugural event brought together 90 female leaders from diverse sectors, including legal, finance, media, marketing, government, international trade, public services, the armed forces, and education, to celebrate this historic moment and commit to advancing the empowerment of women and girls globally.
Suzan Deison, President and CEO of the GHWCC, opened the event alongside five colleagues from Houston, emphasizing the critical need to empower future generations of women and girls with knowledge, skills, and mentorship. “It is imperative that we work together to build a better, safer, happier, and more equal future,” said Deison. She also thanked Anne-Marie Martin of the British Chambers of Commerce for hosting the delegation earlier in the day and for committing to forge an alliance with the new IWCC to boost bi-lateral trade between the UK and Texas.
Deison introduced Chris Grieves, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, who welcomed the guests and highlighted the firm’s strong ties to Houston, citing the pivotal merger with Fulbright that expanded NRF’s presence across the United States. Grieves underscored the importance of the IWCC’s mission, stating, “The representation of women on boards remains far too low. Empowering women is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for creating a more equitable and prosperous future.”
Deison then introduced her fellow female leaders from the GHWCC delegation, who had travelled to London at their own expense to share their experiences, explore business opportunities, and support the establishment of the new IWCC chapter. Each delegate shared inspiring stories of how they and their organizations promote the empowerment of women and girls.
The delegation included:
Kim Coomber-Hallum of bp, 2025 Chair of the GHWCC, Theresa Einhorn, Haynes Boone LLP, Nancy Strohmer, Investment Management, Maria Martinez, Murphy Oil Corporation, Antoniette Latham, Verizon Business, Miranda Martinez, Intern from the University of Texas, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Houston, who summed up the importance of empowering women by saying, “When women succeed, families succeed. When families succeed, communities succeed. And when communities succeed, nations succeed.”
Deison then introduced Jurga Zilinskiene MBE, founder of Guildhawk and GAI Translate, as the Chair of the new UK Chapter. She celebrated Zilinskiene’s achievements in business and her dedication to helping women flourish. Zilinskiene, who was honoured with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to international trade, has been a long-time partner of the GHWCC, hosting the Houston delegation’s first visit to London in 2014 and leading both a physical trade mission to Houston and a virtual panel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Jurga is a trailblazer,” said Deison. “Her leadership in AI and technology, her commitment to creating opportunities for young people, and her success in international trade are an inspiration to us all.” Deison also highlighted the success of Zilinskiene’s AI-powered translation platform, GAI Translate, which recently won the SSEA Market Disruptor Award 2025 and is described as a “game-changer” by its users.
Taking the stage, Zilinskiene expressed her gratitude and excitement for the role. “I am deeply honoured to chair the UK Chapter of the IWCC. My successes and honours, including recognition from the Royal Family, would not have been possible without the help and inspiration of the incredible women in this room,” she said. Zilinskiene also thanked Chris Grieves and Hannah Culshaw, co-chair of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Women in Norton Rose Fulbright (WiN) network, for their support of the new IWCC chapter.
Echoing Deison’s remarks, Zilinskiene emphasized the urgency of empowering future generations of women, particularly in the face of rapid technological disruption. “AI will transform every industry, and we need skilled women and men to help us prosper. Supporting women is not just a nice thing to do—it’s imperative,” she said.
The evening concluded with networking and a high-energy animated video showcasing the award-winning GAI Translate software, created by Zilinskiene’s AI development team. The video, themed around a spaceship in orbit, featured an avatar of Zilinskiene as the captain of the ship. To support the new Chamber, Zilinskiene announced that 50% of each subscription to the GAI Translate solution would be contributed to the IWCC.
The launch of the UK Chapter of the IWCC marks a significant step forward in the GHWCC’s mission to expand its global reach and create a network of empowered women leaders.
Chamber Member Offices in the United Kingdom
“As the Founder, President & CEO of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC), it was an incredible honor to lead our economic development delegation to London and Paris, an endeavor that was more than a trip, but rather the culmination of over a decade of purposeful work. Our mission? To open doors across borders, forge lasting alliances, and amplify the collective voice of women leaders in business and beyond.
I was proud to be joined by an extraordinary group of leaders who made this mission not only possible, but powerful:
🏛️ Martha Castex-Tatum, Houston Mayor Pro-Tem & Chair of the City of Houston Economic Development Committee
👩💼 Kim Coomber-Hallum, Chair of the GHWCC Board & Head of Workplace Services Americas, bp
👩💼 Maria Martinez, Immediate Past Chair, GHWCC & VP of Administration and Human Resources, Murphy Oil
⚖️ Theresa Einhorn, GHWCC Secretary & Former Partner, Haynes Boone
🌟 Nancy Strohmer, GHWCC Leader, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
📱 Antoinette Latham, GHWCC Leader & Senior Manager, Verizon Business
🎓 Miranda Martinez, Student at UT Austin and daughter of Maria Martinez, representing the next generation of global women leaders
What we achieved exceeded all expectations. Through years of connecting with corporations, diplomats, and entrepreneurial women on both sides of the Atlantic, we have built bridges that are now ready for the movement of ideas, trade, mentorship, and transformative change. In London, we relaunched our International Women’s Chamber of Commerce – UK Chapter, reigniting relationships and igniting new ones. In Paris, we planted the seeds of a powerful new France Chapter, surrounded by women whose strength, innovation, and leadership reflect the best of the global business community.
Our discussions with leaders from the Deputy Mayor of London to the Vice President of the French National Assembly affirmed what we already knew: women’s voices are not just necessary, they are essential. We found commonality in our challenges and strength in our shared purpose. Whether navigating boardrooms or balancing societal expectations, the experience of women leaders resonates across cultures and languages.
There was magic in every moment from formal roundtables to elegant receptions, private salons to artistic collaborations. But what stood out most was the energy, the sisterhood, the unmistakable sense that we are on the cusp of something greater than ourselves. These aren’t just chapters we’re launching; we are writing a new chapter in global women’s leadership.
This journey reminded me once again of Margaret Mead’s timeless words "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." That is exactly who we are. We carry the responsibility and the joy of creating pathways our granddaughters can walk through with confidence and pride. The doors we open today are the futures they will inherit tomorrow.
Together, with our sisters in Houston, London, Paris, and beyond, we are rewriting what leadership looks like. We are uniting across oceans, cultures, and industries to advocate for each other, learn from each other, and empower the next generation. We are not just creating opportunities; we are creating legacy."
And this is only the beginning.
Membership Benefits
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Partner with a network of the region’s most powerful women business leaders.
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Increase your company’s image and visibility in the community.
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Opportunity to publish ads/articles in The Connection, the GHWCC/IWCOC weekly newsletter that reaches 27,000 subscribers.
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Company member listing on the GHWCC/IWCOC website.
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Provide a strong, unified voice on local and national issues, particularly issues affecting businesswomen.
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Influence the next generation of businesswomen.
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Build relationships. People do business with people they know!
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Open doors for economic and leadership opportunities.
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Promote educational workshops for leadership, wellness, and personal and business growth.
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Attend GHWCC/IWCOC events with special member pricing.
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Serve/Lead on one or more committees.
Membership Levels
Nonprofit/Business (1–2 employees): $350
Bronze (3–15 employees): $600
Silver (16–50 employees): $1,200
Gold (51–99 employees): $2,500
Platinum (100+ employees): $3,500
Diamond: $5,000
Emerald: $10,000