The inaugural day of the Rise & Lead Women Summit unfolded at the World Trade Center in The Hague. This prestigious two-day event empowers women leaders to bridge the Netherlands' gender gap through greater financial inclusion and leadership development in business.
Ebere Akadiri, founder of Rise & Lead: "The ecosystem remains unequal and unsupportive for women in the Netherlands. To foster prosperity and sustainable businesses, companies and policymakers must prioritize strategies that amplify women's involvement and leadership in the workforce."
What does a female leader look like? At Rise & Lead, the ideal woman leader is a visionary who challenges the status quo and boldly steps into leadership. She leverages her voice and influence to drive positive change, remains mindful of her actions, and recognizes her unique gifts to share with the world. Frustrated by barriers, she engages key decision-makers to build wealth and lasting legacies. Too often, women hesitate to rise and claim what they truly deserve.
"Influencing change with a positive mindset yields powerful results—for both men and women. Those with a promotion focus are driven by gains, while a retention focus emphasizes avoiding losses. Self-awareness, belief in your capabilities, and confidently sharing them are essential; if you don't champion yourself, who will?" shares Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen, Chairman of the Executive Board at Aon Holdings.
Key Traits and Tips for Women in Top Positions
* Never apologize for your ambitions.
* Boldly define a long-term vision for your personal and professional growth.
* Speak up—demand what you want and negotiate your worth.
* Draw inspiration from successful women leaders; you can't become what you don't see.
* Organizations must foster equality by removing gender biases, ensuring transparent promotion criteria.
