At the ESG Adria Summit, Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) convened its Ambassadors for a dedicated session to reflect on progress and shape the path forward. The meeting offered space to assess how far the network has come in promoting gender diversity on boards, while confronting the ongoing barriers facing women in leadership across the region.
A broad group of Ambassadors and key partners took part, sharing honest reflections, practical ideas, and a clear sense of shared purpose. What emerged was a renewed commitment to action — not just through programmes, but by reshaping the systems that determine who gets a seat at the table.
One of the strongest messages was the need for solid data. Without reliable research on gender representation, leadership trends, and the specific challenges women face, it’s difficult to design initiatives that truly make an impact. Investing in evidence-based insight is seen as key to informing both policy and programme work.
The group also highlighted the importance of supporting women’s health and wellbeing as part of leadership development. There was agreement that personal resilience and professional growth go hand in hand — and leadership support must reflect that.
Mutual support was another central theme. Ambassadors spoke about the need for regular opportunities to connect, collaborate, and lift each other up — not only through formal structures, but through everyday visibility and encouragement. Challenges around self-promotion and negotiation were openly acknowledged. Many women, even at senior levels, still face difficulty in advocating for themselves or putting themselves forward. WOBA was encouraged to continue offering practical training that builds confidence in these areas.
The idea of structured mentorship — including peer-to-peer sessions and guidance from more experienced leaders — also received strong backing. Such sessions could provide a meaningful boost for women at different stages of their leadership journeys. Expanding financial literacy was seen as another key enabler. Understanding budgeting, corporate governance, and financial strategy is essential for those aiming for board positions. WOBA’s efforts to demystify finance were widely supported.
Ambassadors also reaffirmed their support for WOBA’s flagship Board Readiness Programme and urged for it to be scaled further in 2025. Preparing more women for leadership roles remains a top priority. Finally, the group emphasised the need to build and promote a visible pool of board-ready women — mapping talent across the region, showcasing expertise, and actively connecting women with leadership opportunities.
These shared priorities reflect a strategic, values-led approach to change. WOBA remains committed to translating insights into action — in partnership with its Ambassadors and regional allies. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming initiatives and collaborations in 2025.
