Through her role as a McLarty Scholar, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service graduate Mollie Henager has piloted a social network analysis of Vital Voices’ Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship program, VV GROW.
VV GROW is a business accelerator that empowers women entrepreneurs across the world to amplify their role as leaders in their businesses and their communities to create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth and produce wider social benefits.
Making new business connections is a vital part of VV GROW, as it is a vital part of being a business owner. Henager has used social network analysis to measure the strength of new business connections formed through VV GROW and their impact on business growth.
“Henager has contributed to the overall efforts of Vital Voices to map out the networks we build. Her analysis will serve as a reference for future VV GROW networks, and her recommendations will inform upcoming social network analyses of other Vital Voices programs,” said Alejandra Garcia, Vital Voices’ Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning.
Vital Voices Global Partnership is a non-governmental organization that was established in 1997 with the purpose of investing in women leaders worldwide. Vital Voices implements several programs that seek to empower visionary, innovative women who are committed to improving society. While formal skills training is an essential element of these programs, network-building is one of the most valuable opportunities program fellows receive. In order to measure and visualize the Vital Voices network, several of the organization’s programs have begun piloting social network analyses.
Henager completed her analysis and presented findings to Vital Voices staff in May 2018, completing her required fieldwork with the Clinton School. Henager looks forward to maintaining her connection with VV and the McLarty Scholars network.
About Vital Voices Global Partnership
In 1997, Vital Voices was founded on the belief that women are essential to making progress in their communities. Through their participation in VV programs, women have more opportunity and greater agency to defend political freedoms, strengthen laws, and create jobs.
For more information, visit VitalVoices.org.
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