Founders back at United Nations

At just 18, Perception Foundation founders Maya and Lara Hammoud (@hammoudtwins ) are already stepping onto the global stage-addressing the General Assembly during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on a critical and often overlooked issue: the persistent lack of women in leadership.

In their remarks, they challenged not only the structural barriers within our systems, but also the social norms and cultural expectations that shape who is encouraged to lead. From empowering young women to amplifying underrepresented voices, their work through the Perception Foundation is helping redefine what inclusive leadership can look like.

Their message was clear: it's time to move beyond recognition and toward real, systemic change.