Diane McClelland named among IAOTP’s Top 25 Global Impact Leaders for 2027

IAOTP will honor Diane McClelland at its December 2027 awards gala in Miami for her work co-founding Girls STEAM Institute and advancing women’s entrepreneurship. The recognition highlights her longtime focus on economic opportunity, leadership and global supply chain access for women and girls.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s Top 25 Global Impact Leaders distinction spotlights a small group of honorees the organization says are shaping change through their work and influence. - McClelland’s recognition underscores growing attention on women’s entrepreneurship, STEAM education and access to global supply chains. - The award also amplifies Girls STEAM Institute’s effort to prepare young women for leadership and business roles in emerging technologies.

What happened: - IAOTP named Diane McClelland one of its Top 25 Global Impact Leaders for 2027. - IAOTP will honor McClelland at its Annual Awards Gala in December 2027 in Miami. - The organization also plans to include a chapter on each honoree in Volume 4 of its Top 25 Global Impact Leaders publication. - McClelland is co-founder and CEO of Girls STEAM Institute, a nonprofit focused on helping girls and young women become STEAM entrepreneurs.

The details: - McClelland has more than four decades of industry experience. - Girls STEAM Institute marked its 10th anniversary in 2024. - The organization is expanding its reach to young women ages 10 to 30. - Its programming combines mentorship and hands-on guidance in immersive technologies and entrepreneurship. - The institute’s model blends project-based learning with social and emotional development. - Participants build leadership, business, communication and relationship-building skills. - The program prepares graduates to join global supply chains as entrepreneurs or part of entrepreneurial teams. - McClelland previously spent more than 18 years as co-founder, president and CEO of Astra Society International, doing business as Astra Women’s Business Alliance. - She also co-founded the Foundation for Women Business Owners and served as its president and CEO. - Her earlier nonprofit work focused on increasing access to capital for women business owners. - Her expertise includes strategic planning, program management, business development, leadership and business strategy. - McClelland studied International Business, Trade and Commerce at Portland State University School of Business. - She also received leadership certificates from Dartmouth Executive Education and the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College. - In 2025, IAOTP named her Top Co-founder and CEO of the Year and Empowered Woman of the Year. - She was also featured in IAOTP’s Top 50 Fearless Leaders publication and received IAOTP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. - Marquis Who’s Who also recognized her for her work in the nonprofit sector. - McClelland recently published How Do You Know You Are You? through TaraSwift Press and Amazon. - The book focuses on self-identity. - The press release includes videos at her interview and featured videos and an additional video.

Between the lines: - IAOTP’s recognition appears to reinforce McClelland’s long-running focus on women’s economic mobility rather than a single new initiative. - The award fits a broader theme in her work: linking education, leadership training and business access with participation in supply chains. - The move to expand Girls STEAM Institute toward ages 10 to 30 suggests the organization is trying to build a longer pipeline from early interest to professional placement. - The emphasis on immersive technologies signals a push to align girls’ entrepreneurship training with growth sectors.

What’s next: - McClelland will be featured in IAOTP’s Top 25 Global Impact Leaders publication. - IAOTP will honor her at the December 2027 gala in Miami. - McClelland is also working on a movement to increase the number of women business owners in global supply chains who mentor and hire Gen Z and millennial women STEAM entrepreneurs. - Girls STEAM Institute’s next phase will focus on broader mentorship and entrepreneurship support for young women entering the program pipeline.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is using its 2027 awards to elevate McClelland’s long record of building pathways for women and girls into entrepreneurship, leadership and supply chains.