Women in Leadership and Business:
Building Inclusive Workplaces and Equal Opportunities
Advancing gender-balanced leadership, inclusive decision-making, and fair pay practices
21 May 2026 | 9:00 – 12:00 | EIB Romania
European Investment Bank Group Office in Bucharest (EIB Group),
31 Vasile Lascăr, 4th floor, 020492, Bucharest, Romania
A focused breakfast session dedicated to women’s contribution to business, gender-balanced leadership, inclusive decision-making, and the practical implications of pay transparency for employers and employees.
Organised on the occasion of EU Diversity Month, this Breakfast Talk brings together business leaders, HR professionals, DEI practitioners, legal experts, and decision-makers to explore how organisations in Romania can move from commitment to measurable action on gender equality and equal opportunities. EU Diversity Month is organised each May to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion in workplaces and society.
In today’s workplace, gender equality is no longer only a matter of representation. It is a business, governance, compliance, and talent issue. Companies are increasingly expected to build leadership pipelines that reflect diverse talent, ensure fair access to opportunities, and prepare for stronger transparency around pay, promotion, and decision-making.
This session goes beyond celebration. It focuses on practical workplace actions, leadership accountability, inclusive culture, and the upcoming implications of the EU Pay Transparency Directive for employers and employees. The directive requires EU member states to transpose rules by 7 June 2026, with new expectations around salary information, equal pay, and employer action where gender pay gaps exceed defined thresholds.
Who Should Attend?
Why Attend?
- Women in leadership or aspiring leadership roles across business, corporate, entrepreneurial, and professional services environments
- HR Directors, HR Managers & HR Business Partners responsible for leadership development, compensation, recruitment, and workplace policies
- DEI, ESG, CSR, and sustainability leaders advancing gender equality and inclusive workplace strategies
- Founders, executives, board members, and senior managers seeking to build more balanced and resilient leadership teams
- Talent, Learning & Development, and Employer Branding professionals designing inclusive career pathways
- Legal, compliance, and employee relations professionals preparing for pay transparency and equal opportunity obligations
- Allies and decision-makers committed to fair, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces
- Understand the role of women’s leadership in building stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable businesses
- Explore how gender-balanced leadership improves decision-making, trust, collaboration, and organisational performance
- Gain practical insight into how employers can identify and remove barriers to equal opportunity, progression, visibility, and pay fairness
- Prepare for the practical implications of pay transparency for recruitment, internal communication, compensation practices, and employee trust
- Learn how to support women’s career progression through inclusive leadership, mentorship, sponsorship, and accountable talent processes
- Celebrate EU Diversity Month with purpose—focusing on measurable workplace action, not symbolic commitments
- Leave with concrete ideas you can apply immediately within your organisation
Seats are limited to keep the discussion focused and interactive.
Register Now to secure your place.
Our 2026 expert speakers include
Dentons, Orange, Skanska
Topics of Discussion
- Women’s contribution to business: leadership, innovation, resilience, and growth
- Gender-balanced leadership: why representation matters at executive, board, and decision-making levels
- Inclusive decision-making: how diverse perspectives improve business outcomes and workplace trust
- Equal opportunities in practice: recruitment, promotion, succession planning, performance evaluation, and leadership development
- Mentorship, sponsorship, and visibility: practical tools to support women’s career progression
- Pay transparency: what employers and employees need to understand
- Salary ranges, recruitment communication, and internal pay conversations
- Equal pay for equal work or work of equal value: practical implications for HR and leadership teams
- How to prepare for pay transparency without creating confusion, mistrust, or reputational risk
- The role of managers in building fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace cultures
- Moving from symbolic diversity commitments to measurable DEI and ESG outcomes
Agenda
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration, Welcome Coffee & Networking
Informal networking with business leaders, HR professionals, DEI practitioners, and partners.
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Welcome by Lestat MONROE, Founder and Vice President, RDCC
Opening remarks by Marius CARA, Head of EIB Group Office in Romania
Context-setting: EU Diversity Month, women’s leadership, equal opportunities, and why gender inclusion matters for Romanian workplaces in 2026.
09:45 – 10:05 | Keynote — Women in Leadership and Business: From Representation to Influence
Speaker: Irina VERIOTI, Head of HR Operations & Governance, Orange
A practical session on women’s contribution to business, gender-balanced leadership, and how organisations can create conditions for women to lead, contribute, and influence decision-making at every level.
10:05 – 10:25 | Legal & HR Insight — Pay Transparency and Equal Opportunities: What Employers Should Prepare For
Speaker: Argentina Rafail, Counsel at Dentons, Co-Head of Employment and Labor Practice
A clear, practical overview of what pay transparency means for employers and employees, including recruitment communication, salary ranges, internal pay fairness, employee trust, and leadership accountability.
10:25 – 10:45 | Inspirational Talk — Women in Business: Leadership Journey & Lessons Learned
Speaker: Aurelia Luca, Executive Vice President Operations Hungary and Romania at Skanska Commercial Development Europe
A personal leadership story focused on visibility, confidence, navigating barriers, building influence, and creating opportunities for others.
10:45 – 11:05 | Audience Q&A
11:05 – 11:15 | Closing Remarks
11:15 – 12:00 | Networking & Coffee Refill
Partner With Us
Are you ready to position your organisation as a champion of gender equality and inclusive leadership in the digital economy?
Partnership and sponsorship opportunities are available for this Breakfast Talk Series, offering visibility among decision-makers, HR leaders, and digital professionals committed to advancing women in leadership.
Partnering organisations will:
- Demonstrate commitment to gender equality, fair opportunity, and inclusive leadership
- Gain visibility among Romanian and international business decision-makers
- Align with a practical conversation on pay transparency, leadership, inclusion, and workplace trust
- Support a business-driven platform focused on measurable DEI impact
- Contribute to advancing inclusive workplaces across Romania
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