WHAT IS WOBA?

Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) is a regional non for profit initiative founded with the purpose to increase gender diversity in executive and non-executive leadership. It is an umbrella association for the promotion of gender equality at the decision-making level. We work with businesses, governments, and international institutions to promote greater gender diversity at the Board and C-Suite level of public-interest companies in the Adria region.

OUR MISSION

At WOBA, we strongly believe that talent and ambition are equally distributed among individuals of all genders. We advocate for corresponding equal opportunities for men and women in senior positions. There is a clear business case for it. Studies show that diverse and inclusive teams outperform homogeneous teams.

Unfortunately, our region continues to lag in addressing gender inequalities in the business environment, which represents an untapped opportunity. By increasing the representation of women in leadership roles, companies can expect to see enhanced financial performance, as well as improvements in non-financial aspects such as reputation, investor perceptions, and stakeholder engagement.

Wouldn’t that be a smart thing to do? Our mission is to break down barriers to boardroom entry for women and accelerate the pace at which they ascend to senior management positions in the Adria region.

OUR VISION

Our goal is to contribute to an increase in representation of women in Boardrooms and executive positions of companies in the region, meeting the EU requirements stemming from the European Women on Boards Directive.

WOBA will address the gender gaps in business leadership by:

Raising the Voice

Addressing broader issues which affect gender inequality in business and empowering women in their educational and business endeavors.

Network of Women

Building a leadership network and providing candidates for board and leadership positions, highly diverse across demographics and professional disciplines.

Alignment with Regulations

Working with businesses, NGOs and governments to promote greater gender diversity and inclusion at all levels and align gender policies in the region with the EU.

WHAT WE DO

WOBA will focus on the following types of action:

TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Provide training and mentoring programs to professionals irrespective of their gender designed to give them a deep understanding of the board-level and executive roles and prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Provide training and mentoring programs to professionals irrespective of their gender designed to give them a deep understanding of the board-level and executive roles and prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Provide training and mentoring programs to professionals irrespective of their gender designed to give them a deep understanding of the board-level and executive roles and prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Build a pool of talented women and empower them to excel in their careers through training and mentoring provided by accomplished leaders.

LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Build a pool of talented women and empower them to excel in their careers through training and mentoring provided by accomplished leaders.

LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Build a pool of talented women and empower them to excel in their careers through training and mentoring provided by accomplished leaders.

POLICY ADVOCACY

Provide research and expertise that will contribute to the strengthening of the political will and development of the legal frameworks that address the underrepresentation of women at the decision-making level in the region.

POLICY ADVOCACY

Provide research and expertise that will contribute to the strengthening of the political will and development of the legal frameworks that address the underrepresentation of women at the decision-making level in the region.

POLICY ADVOCACY

Provide research and expertise that will contribute to the strengthening of the political will and development of the legal frameworks that address the underrepresentation of women at the decision-making level in the region.

Biljana Braithwaite
WOBA Chair

Diverse and inclusive leadership not only boosts financial performance but also strengthens a company’s reputation, inspires investor confidence, and cultivates meaningful stakeholder engagement. Together with our partners, advisory board members, ambassadors, and supporters, our collective mission is to drive a much-needed rise in gender diversity at board and senior leadership positions across the region.

Zeynep Yalim Uzun
Executive Board Member at EWOB

I truly believe that having a gender balanced Board and C Level helps companies to make better decisions and therefore strengthens market performance. Diversity of perspectives and experiences both genders bring to decision making levels creates an inclusive company culture, thus attracting stronger talent.

Lada Buševac
Head of IFC Office in Brussels

Inclusive leadership and decision-making in companies are of crucial importance for modern societies. It is not only a social and moral imperative, but also an economic need. Women, who represent about half of the global population, deserve an equal opportunity to influence the decisions that shape our society and economy. This approach fosters innovation by allowing diverse ideas and perspectives to be heard, leading to more sound and inclusive decision-making. Ample evidence already exists to show that having more women in leadership positions leads to better financial results, better business outcomes, and higher environmental, social, and governance practices.

Marko Čadež
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

The main issue we are dealing with is the lack of understanding of the important role women play in business. To address this, we must engage with governments and companies, and help them work together systematically and institutionally. However, it is equally important that we work on changing societal patterns. We must reevaluate how we raise and educate children, moving away from traditional gender roles. We have the power to change this inherited mindset and bring about substantial, fundamental change in how we treat women and men in society.

Nevena Kostić
WOBA Head of Programmes and WOBA Lead for Serbia

Fundamental barriers, embedded in patriarchal structures across the countries of the Adria region, hinder the progress of women in the workplace, particularly in corporate boards and C-level positions. Recognizing this issue has inspired us to establish a regional association with a shared mission: to enhance the professional standing of women, and to help build a society based on inclusive leadership and diversity.

Senida Mesi

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, Albania, International Board Member and Consultant, WOBA Ambassador & WOBA Lead for Albania

The path to unleashing the economic potential of women is not a solitary journey. It requires collaboration, commitment, and collective action. Governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals must join hands to create an ecosystem that fosters women’s economic empowerment. By providing equal opportunities, removing barriers, and fostering an inclusive environment, we can drive our economies to new heights.

Tanja Mihajlovska Dimitrievska
Director in Audit, Advisory Board Member, WOBA Ambassador, and WOBA Lead for North Macedonia

By encouraging gender equality in leadership and decision making, we open up avenues for diverse viewpoints, improve organizational effectiveness, confront biases, motivate others, and foster societal advancement and equity. Collaborating towards this objective can result in more inclusive and high-performing organizations, as well as contribute towards building a fair and balanced society.

Brankica Janković
Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of Serbia

The promotion of gender equality, as well as a better gender balance in all sectors, is crucial, and without the active participation of women in executive positions, there is no true development. Practice shows that companies that consider equal representation of women and diversity on other grounds in management undoubtedly achieve higher profits, are more innovative, and have a better business reputation. I am proud to support the Women on Boards Adria mission from the beginning, as it is a positive example of the importance of united forces on the road to creating better conditions for everyone.

Watch a significant moment unfold at the ESG Summit Western Balkans 2023 in Porto Montenegro: the announcement of the WOBA initiative and inauguration of the WOBA Pledge – Gender Diverse Panels for Inclusive Discussions.