In February and April 2025, Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) launched its inaugural regional Board Readiness Programme, designed to equip mid- to senior-level women professionals with the skills, confidence, and insight needed to step into leadership and board roles.
The programme brings together an outstanding faculty of international experts, board members, and corporate leaders to deliver training grounded in real-world experience. It blends in-person learning with targeted online sessions, creating a comprehensive and practical development journey.
In-Person Training | 13–14 February 2025 | Sarajevo
The programme began with a two-day training session focused on essential leadership and boardroom competencies. Participants explored how to craft and communicate an authentic personal brand, align their strengths with board expectations, and highlight their strategic, ESG, and leadership credentials. Additional sessions focused on goal setting, emotional intelligence, leading through change, and conflict resolution.
The in-person training was delivered by:
- Sanela Pasić, Board Member and WOBA Lead Ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Rikard Scoufias, Non-Executive Chairman, Hellenic Hydrocarbon
- Tanja Mihajlovska Dimitrievska, Audit Director and WOBA Lead Ambassador
- Maida Zahirović Salom, C-level Executive and WOBA Ambassador
Online Masterclasses | March–April 2025
To complement the Sarajevo sessions, participants joined four online modules designed to deepen their boardroom effectiveness:
- Empowering Leadership through Financial Literacy
25 March 2025 | Elvir Muhic, Head of Finance, Addiko Bank Sarajevo
This session introduced key financial concepts — including solvency, budgeting, capital structures, and interpreting financial reports — essential for informed decision-making at board level. - Corporate Governance and ESG in the Boardroom
28 March 2025 | Professor Katarina Djulic
A deep dive into governance frameworks, stakeholder management, and integrating ESG principles into boardroom strategy. - Everyday Wellbeing: Building Resilience, Managing Stress, and Supporting Each Other
17 April 2025 | Diksha Chopra, Senior HR Manager, PepsiCo (South Central Europe & Baltics)
This session addressed mental health in leadership, offering tools for personal resilience and fostering team wellbeing. - Crisis Management and Communication
22 April 2025 | Milica Ličina, Communications Expert
Participants explored how to manage crises with clarity and authority, protect organisational reputation, and communicate effectively under pressure.
The WOBA Board Readiness Programme is more than a training course — it is a platform for shared growth, mentoring, and peer support. Participants graduate not only with sharpened boardroom skills, but with stronger confidence and a connected network of like-minded women leaders across the Adria region.
