Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) hosted a virtual session on 27 May 2025, titled “Leading Together: His & Hers Perspectives on Career Growth and Gender Equality.” The event was moderated by Marina Drmač, Director, People Growth & Development, Addiko Bank AG and Nevena Dičić Kostić, WOBA Head of Programmes. The discussion featured insights from Ana Dorić Škeva (Member of the Management Board, Addiko Bank Croatia) and Edgar Flaggl (Group CFO and Management Board Member, Addiko Bank AG). WOBA members and supporters, from aspiring female leaders and senior executives to HR professionals, joined from across the region to examine actionable measures for gender-balanced workplaces.
As participants streamed into the virtual waiting room—logging in from across Sarajevo, Zagreb, Vienna, Klagenfurt, Ljubljana, Banja Luka, Belgrade, Podgorica, Skopje, Tirana, Pristina and beyond—the session was ready to begin.
Ana and Edgar opened the discussion by reflecting on their personal career paths. While neither set out with a strict roadmap toward the Management Board, both described how values such as impact, growth, and resilience have guided their decision.
“I was never motivated by titles. What drove me was the impact I could create and the results I could deliver. That’s what leadership is to me—having the courage to act and influence change. Be brave. The best compliment is that you truly implement what you set out to do—that you deliver and act on what you believe,” she shared, and added that the Addiko culture encourages each employee to act entrepreneurially and nurture collaboration as strong corporate values.
Building on this, Edgar emphasized that while setting gender-balanced hiring targets is valuable, sustainable change depends on daily leadership behaviors. He reflected on his own experience, highlighting the importance of authenticity, accountability, and leading by example. His advice for choosing the right path? “My message is that choosing the hard way—while there are surely easier roads—often pays off and is rewarding. Perseverance is key—even when the obstacles seem unyielding. I would advise you to keep your eyes open and seek out true leaders—not self-centric ones, but those who can genuinely support you,” he said.
When probing personal readiness, Ana reflected on hesitancy to embrace new challenges: “It became clear that I needed to convince myself to try. I was reluctant, but on the other hand, I need challenges to grow.” Edgar added: “Do you need to feel 100% ready before you jump into an opportunity? Every opportunity to learn has value. If you expect to be 100% prepared, you limit yourself. Make sure you get up to speed; it’s stressful and requires hard work. Don’t be shy— be brave. And yes, there’s nobody who is completely fearless.”
Our sincere thanks to Ana and Edgar for their honesty, courage, and willingness to share real experiences. Different paths, but the same commitment to values and impact—that’s what leadership is about!
