Leadership
Event

International Women’s Day Panel Discussion – #InspireInclusion

Mariia Bondarenko

Written by: Mariia Bondarenko

5 minute read

We are thrilled to announce that we are organising a thought-provoking online panel discussion dedicated to the International Women’s Day that aims to go beyond the virtual stage and to celebrate the essence of inclusion, diversity, and empowerment. 

According to the European Commission, in 2021 – women represented 41% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) graduates. However, the number that then attain leadership and decision-making positions is even lower. Apart from the challenge to encourage young women to enrol in these subjects, is then the ability to hire and retain them. One key factor, according to a study, is the lack of role models, especially amongst women who are STEM professionals and mothers. 

Register for free here: Zoom registration link

About the panel:  

Panel Facilitator: Charmaine Reid (European Director: Leadership Development and Coaching, Impel Talent) 

With a career spanning over 30 years, Charmaine started her journey of inspiring inclusion in the toy industry in South Africa, where she actively encouraged and provided opportunities for underrepresented team members to move into more senior roles. In her 20+ years in the pharmaceutical industry, she has championed for inclusion through women’s networks; resource groups and in her role as VP, Head of R&D Europe Regional Centre, she inspired inclusion through Steering Committees and Advisory boards.  

Charmaine’s passion for diversity, equity and inclusion continues in her role at Impel Talent where she leads the UK team and supports key clients across Europe with Leadership Development, Career coaching and culture advisory services.  

Panellist 1: Ekaterina Tsvetkova (Director of Sustainability Consultancy, Schneider Electric) 

Ekaterina is a trailblazer in guiding European companies towards a greener, more inclusive future. Being a Director of Sustainability Consultancy at Schneider Electric’s EMEA team, she oversees the intricate processes of sustainability strategy development, target setting, and greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting. Her expertise extends across critical subjects, including corporate sustainability reporting, climate-aligned strategy development, and regulatory compliance. 

Ekaterina’s extensive background positions her as a key contributor to the dialogue on creating workplaces that embrace diverse talents. Her role in overseeing consultants supporting global clients in sustainability targets aligns with our mission to raise awareness and inspire inclusion across industries. Ekaterina holds a BA (Hons) in Corporate Law and an MSc in Environment Sciences, Policy and Management. 

Panellist 2: Jason Netos (DEI Lead, Takeda Switzerland) 

Jason is the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Lead at Takeda Switzerland. Jason brings a decade of HR experience to the table, across multiple industries. His current role allows his expertise to lead initiatives to drive inclusion in the Life Sciences industry. Born to a Greek father and a Swiss mother, his unique cross-cultural perspective enriches his work in fostering more inclusive and equitable workplaces. As a CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) trained coach, Jason is known for his creativity and empathy to help individuals and organizations achieve their full potential.  

Inclusion is not just a concept but a lived experience, and Jason embodies this ethos. His dedication to creating workplaces where everyone’s voice is heard and valued aligns seamlessly with our mission. From his commitment to social justice and volunteer work across various non-profits, such as Pink Cross, where he served on the Board, Jason’s multifaceted approach brings depth to our dialogue on inspiring inclusion. 

The panel discussion will take place on February 28th, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (GMT). 

Register your interest for the free online event here: Zoom registration link

Let’s make this International Women’s Day a celebration of unity, empowerment, and progress. Together, let’s inspire inclusion!