Today, the Women’s Mentoring Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Women on Boards Adria (WOBA), an international regional initiative for increasing the participation of women in management structures in the business sector, signed a cooperation agreement aimed at launching joint activities in this field in our country.
“WOBA has connected with the Women’s Mentoring Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to the excellent cooperation and support of the teams at Addiko Bank and Deloitte, who have demonstrated through their example how important strategic work on this issue is. The achievements of the Women’s Mentoring Network serve as a guide to others, confirming the importance of recognising the value of mentorship, collaboration, and networking. We are now aligned in the same direction—our goal is not only to increase the number of women in leadership positions, but also to ensure a lasting change in how female leadership is developed and supported in the private sector,” said Biljana Braithwaite, founder of the WOBA initiative.
According to the latest research, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, women make up only 18% of company board members, which is significantly below the average in the EU region. WOBA has set an ambitious target: to advocate for this share to rise to at least 30% by the end of 2027. The initiative’s activities will include workshops on gender transparency in governance, online modules on corporate management, and case studies of successful female leaders from the region, as well as advocating for legal reforms in line with European Union directives.
“Addiko Bank and Deloitte, as founders and sponsors of the Women’s Mentoring Network, provide education and mentorship each year for 50 young professionals aspiring to managerial roles. Preliminary data show that the vast majority of participants achieve measurable progress within 12 months: moving to higher management levels, expanding client portfolios, or launching new projects. We aim to connect the success stories of WOBA and our Network, sharing best practices that will bring tangible change on the ground,” added Sanela Pašić, Member of the Supervisory Board of Addiko Bank d.d. Sarajevo, Professor at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, and co-founder of the Women’s Mentoring Network.
“When we launched the Women’s Mentoring Network, we believed that change begins in everyday work with women who have ambition, knowledge, and potential. We are currently in the fifth season of our programme, and through the previous four, we have proven that mentorship truly works and delivers measurable results. The partnership with WOBA is a natural continuation of that journey—expanding the support network, sharing knowledge, and strengthening women’s leadership in the private sector. I believe that through joint activities we will provide added value to participants and contribute to a broader goal: a more equal and resilient business environment in which women recognise and receive opportunities,” said Sabina Softić, Director at Deloitte in Bosnia and Herzegovina and co-founder of the Women’s Mentoring Network.
Through joint activities, WOBA and the Women’s Mentoring Network will track members’ progress, advise them on training choices, and connect them with regional resources. Each year, members of the Women’s Mentoring Network will receive a certain number of free passes to WOBA’s Board Readiness programme. Mentoring groups will actively promote upcoming WOBA trainings, while WOBA will communicate new challenges and opportunities within the Women’s Mentoring Network through its channels.
“At Addiko Bank, we deeply believe that diversity not only enriches an organisation’s culture but also directly impacts the innovation of products and services,” said Mario Ivanković, Member of the Management Board of Addiko Bank d.d. Sarajevo. “Through this partnership, we aim to bridge the gap between theoretical analysis and the concrete skills women need to take on leadership roles—from financial reporting to crisis management,” he added.
In the coming period, the organisers plan a series of events including workshops on improving management competencies, a webinar series on risk management, and joint panel discussions with female and male leaders from the region.
