Rana al-Hajaia is one of Jordan's most prominent leaders in the field of women's political leadership development. From 2003 until March 2006, she was the Mayor of al-Hassa municipality in southern Jordan and the only woman mayor in the country. In that position, she was instrumental in encouraging other Jordanian women to become more politically active and to consider running for public office. Rana intends to seek elected office herself in Jordan's next municipal elections and credits the International Republican Institute (IRI) with helping her make the decision to run. Rana also cites her mother Hind, who was a women's activist for more than 20 years, as a role model who encouraged her to strive to serve the people of her community and Jordan as a whole.

Rana is the founder of the Women Pioneers, a network of woman leaders in Tafileh governorate (southern Jordan), which provides a forum in which participants can share their experiences as "pioneers" in women's leadership and strategize on ways to encourage other women in the governorate to become more involved in community affairs. She is also the founder of the Prince Hashem Charity which focuses on citizens with special needs, and the Al-Hassa Women's Charity, which helps underprivileged women and children in the municipality.

Banzragch Delgermaa currently works for the Norovbanzad Foundation and previously served as the Advisor on Social Policy to former Prime Minister of Mongolia Elbedorj. In this position she acted as the Director for Mongolia's National Committee on Gender Equality, the official government body which addresses the issue of gender equality in Mongolia. Prior to this, Delgermaa held several influential positions in Mongolia. She began her government career as an attorney after graduating from the University of Kuban with a Bachelor's degree in law. She later held the position of Advisor to the Economic Policy Standing Committee of the Parliament, as well as Rector of the Academy of Political Science.

In 1996, Delgermaa was elected to the Parliament of Mongolia. During her time in parliament, she was chair of the sub-committee of Human Rights as well as General Secretary of her political party, the Democratic Party. Delgermaa remains active in the work of the Democratic Party of Mongolia, and is president of the party's Democratic Women's Union, a member of the National Consultative Committee of the Democratic Party, and the Head of the Partnership of Women in Politics and Goverance, a forum of women's organizations and political parties.

Salma is originally from Nangharhar, Afghanistan. She attended grade school in Parwan and was a student at Kabul University before she was forced to leave t: the city in 1993 due to the escalating civil war. Saima fled to the province of Nangharhar and began teach ng at a girl's school. During the time of Taliban rule, Saima continued to teach girls but did so in the privacy of households.

After the Taliban were overthrown in 2001, Sauna involved herself in various governmental and philanthropic activities. When the opportunity arose for her to run for parliament last year, she ran on a platform of promoting women's rights throughout the country. She feels "strongly optimistic for the future of Afghanistan and the parliament." While she expressed optimism for the new parliament, Saima is concerned that female members of parliament are being marginalized and states that we (women) will struggle until we have become equal." Saima will be able to work toward this goal as the new Chairwoman of the Women's Committee in the Afghan Parliament. Saima is also presently a member of Mili Paigham, an independent coalition group in the parliament, formed by the International Republican Institute to bring together fellow independent-minded parliamentarians to promote Afghan democracy.

Maria Elena Cruz was appointed auxiliary secretary to the City Council of Guatemala in 2004 after being the only woman elected to the Guatemala City Council in 2001. As auxiliary secretary she serves as liaison between the mayor, council members, other city governments and the federal government. She is solely responsible for ensuring city compliance with federal laws, and for ensuring municipal agency compliance with newly enacted council measures. Her duties also include coups eling and advising elected members on legislation, budget items, and day-to-day affairs. Maria Elena serves as a key player in local politics as she works for and represents the busiest, most dynamic and popular council in all of Guatemala.

Maria Elena is not only a leader within the council; she is also a leader within the community and her party, the Partido Unionista (PU). Maria Elena began attending IRI seminars and training sessions as early as 2000 before announcing her candidacy for city council. She credits IRI with encouraging her to run for office and with training her team for what became her first successful popular election to city council. For six years, Maria Elena has been leading party leaders and youth in IRI-led seminars, roundtables, and related activities. Maria Elena is also founder and president of the Association for Professional Accountants, and founder and president of the Association for Women in Municipal Government.