What was the Conference purpose?
“To promote and accelerate the impact of women’s leadership as a positive force for change”
To provide a forum, where dynamic, trail-blazing women leaders can share their experiences and learnings to help overcome the challenges of our times within the communities in which we operate.
What were the benefits of attending?
Enhance your role as a leader
Bring current themes in women’s leadership to the forefront of your organisation
Further develop your leadership skills and advance your business acumen
Succeed as a strong role model for other women
Meet like-minded leaders from different sectors
Grow your network and make valuable contacts
Who attended?
Leaders and Aspiring Leaders
Company Directors and Partners
Key Department Heads
Business Owners
Senior Leads in HR and Talent Management
Diversity and Inclusion Specialists
Professors and Subject Experts
What were some of the objectives?
Develop skills to lead during challenging times
Learn how to overcome obstacles in career and life
Build deep inner confidence, strength and resilience
Practice assertive, positive leadership as a force for good
Increase networks with like-minded women
Would You Like To Find Out More?
Conference Organisers
Dr. Susan Baragwanath (Co-Chair)
Susan Baragwanath is an authority in Women’s Leadership. She has had extensive international experience in education and criminal justice and has mentored dozens of women from all walks of life. She has recently organized two international strategic programs for Women’s Leadership in London, chaired international search committees for outstanding women leaders, and is a Distinguished Eisenhower Fellow. In 2005, she received the highest academic award in the Humanities, Doctor of Letters, for education reform of school age mothers in New Zealand.
Cassandre Burgess (Co-Chair)
Cassandre Burgess is Head of Operations and Finance of MyPhy, She is also a public speaking coach and workshop facilitator. She regularly teaches classes including Project Management and Leadership for Bachelor and Master’s students. Originally from South Africa, she has extensive experience in the mining industry and in finance, having worked with key players in both sectors. With a passion for developing leadership in young people and empowering them to reach their potential, Cassandre is active in multiple associations and community groups in the Geneva region.
Speakers
Oonagh McPhillips
Secretary General for the Department of Justice for the Republic of Ireland
Appointed in 2020, Oonagh is the first woman to hold this position. She is also a Member of Eisenhower Fellowships Global Network Council and a former member of the Legal Aid Board and Public Appointments Service Board, and the Civil Rights Committee, IACP.
Christèle Hiss Holliger
Global Head HR, Pictet Group Equity Partner of the Pictet Group
Christèle is Global Head HR and a Member of the Executive Board at Pictet Wealth Management. She is also a co-founder and an active member of Pictet Group’s Diversity and Inclusion Board.
Anne Hornung-Soukup
Chair of the Board of Transports Publics Genevois (tpg)
Anne worked for 16 years in portfolio management at a Geneva private bank, then in 1999 she set up her own firm with a partner. After 11 years running the firm, she joined a larger portfolio management firm as a Partner until her retirement from finance end 2017.
Zoë Falquet
Sustainability Manager in the energy sector
Zoë is Sustainability Manager at International Petroleum Corporation (IPC) where she leads the company’s environmental, social and governance strategies.
Simone Duarte
Journalist, Author, Founder “Out of Paper”
Simone is an award-winning Brazilian journalist with 30 years of deep immersion in international affairs and experience in managing media organizations on three continents.
Purnima Mishra
Chief Accountant, The Global Fund & Director Strategic Development, IMA Switzerland Chapter
Purnima has over 20 years of experience in international development finance, financial risk management and audit in large complex environments.
Olivia Dhordain
Intellectual Property Expert with an extensive knowledge of the luxury industry
Olivia began her career as a Paris barred IP and press law litigator. Olivia has represented a wide array of international companies across many industries.
Alexia Ceppi
Senior leader in the education, hospitality, and service sectors
Alexia has over 20 years’ experience in management consulting, educational consulting, and business development, collaborating with the private sector, investors, governments, and educational institutions.
Workshop Facilitators
Raja Skogland
With vast experience in private banking, Raja turned her attention to advising start-ups, becoming a serial entrepreneur, investor in 80+ companies and personal branding strategist. Voted one of the top 100 most influential women in the European Venture Capital Space in 2023, she currently leads The Visionary Company & VC.
Geneviève Major
Dr Geneviève Major specialises in the integration of mindfulness-based emotional intelligence research into public health policy. She brings this knowledge into leadership programmes to enhance peak performance, wellbeing, and happiness into the many international organisations she works with. Geneviève is also a certified teacher of mindful living and eating.
