Rayona Sharpnack is a pioneer in gender equality and leadership development, having dedicated over 30 years to advancing what she terms "Gender Partnership." She is the Founder and President of the Institute for Gender Partnership, established in 1993, and the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Women's Leadership, Inc., which she started in 1991.
Sharpnack's initial work with the Institute for Women's Leadership focused on equipping women with leadership skills and attitudes.