Thematic Working Group (TWG2) on Leadership Empowerment

TWG on Leadership Empowerment focusing on promoting equitable access to leadership roles for women in digital sectors, including the tech industry, research and entrepreneurship.

The Thematic Working Group on Leadership Empowerment (TWG2) will work on strengthening women’s presence and progression into leadership positions within Europe’s digital and technological landscape. Its activities will be framed within the Women in Digital Forum and will contribute to shaping structural solutions that promote gender balanced leadership across sectors and institutions.

While women increasingly enter the digital workforce, their advancement into senior roles remains limited. Leadership in tech companies, innovation hubs and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and deep tech continues to reflect a pronounced gender gap. TWG2 will respond to this challenge by initiating a collaborative process aimed at mapping existing barriers and co-designing practical pathways to support the professional growth and visibility of women in decision-making roles.

TWG2 will also explore strategies to foster inclusive leadership pipelines within private companies, academic institutions and public-sector organisations.

This working group will bring together a selected team of 12 to 15 professionals from across Europe, representing a range of competencies in digital policy, gender studies, executive training, entrepreneurship and organisational development. Industry leaders, academic researchers, public officials and women with direct leadership experience in the tech field will be actively involved.

Meet the experts of TWG2:
Andrea Schulz
Project leader at Pepperl+Fuchs SE and Femtec Alumnae board member (2023–2025).
Claudia Lascateu
Senior Cybersecurity Manager, DNSC Romania; PhD in Ethics in Threat Intelligence.
Claudia Maria Cutrupi
PhD Candidate and Work Package Leader, Erasmus+ TechLARP (NTNU).
Dolores Ordóñez
General Director, AnySolution; VP of Turistec & Gaia-X Spain.
Sofia Tsekeridou
Senior Research & Innovation Manager, Netcompany SEE & EUI.
Elçin Ada Sayın
NATO STO SAS-HFM-208 Chair; Co-founder of Radius Defence.
Ingrid Campo-Ruiz
Researcher in AI for Social & Environmental Justice at KTH.
Laurence Renault
Head of Finance & DEI Lead at FARI (ULB & VUB).
Lea Schwarz
Tech leader at AUDI AG; sustainability & SDV expert.
Monica Cerutti
Expert in digital & social innovation; UN Women Italy.
Petra Kotuliakova
Founder & CEO of “AJ Ty v IT”; DiversIT Charter Chair.
Reine Essobmadje
CEO, Evolving Consulting; past VP GICAM.
Sabine Kuznik
Head of Sustainability Relations at Evonik.
Liliana Domingues
COO at Global STEM Women; CEO at AMARNA Vida.