The vibrant city of Belgrade played host to the inaugural Forbes Adria Power Women’s Summit, an event that brought together some of the most influential and visionary women from across industries in the Adriatic region. With an captivating atmosphere of innovation, empowerment, and collaboration, the summit provided a platform for women leaders to share their stories, inspire future generations, and advocate for gender equality and leadership in business. 

Held at Sava Centar, the event on September 4th, welcomed over 400 attendees, ranging from entrepreneurs, business executives, policymakers, both woman at the beginning of their carrier and proven leaders, all eager to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of leadership, women’s economic empowerment, and strategies to break down barriers and advance in their carriers and personal life.

Impressive line up of speakers

The summit featured an impressive line up of speakers – a total of twenty-seven fantastic and inspiring speakers, who discussed topics such as entrepreneurship, women’s health, authenticity, the impact of women on business and much more. Each of them, including remarkable globally famous keynote speakers, brought unique perspectives and powerful insights to the table:

Kathleen Griffith, CEO of Grayce & Co, captivated the audience with her inspiring speech on the transformative power of female leadership and the importance of resilience in today’s fast-paced business environment. She believes that every woman can do something revolutionary in business, but she must know how to release her hidden potential. She advised female entrepreneurs to occasionally set themselves ‘outrageous challenges’ – something that they know is almost impossible to achieve but they really want it with all their hearts. 

Lisa Carmen Wang is a former U.S. champion in rhythmic gymnastics and a successful entrepreneur. She delivered an inspiring speech on investments in women-led startups and the power of standing up for yourself. 

Professor Maja, PhD in Sociology and TEDx speaker, shared practical tips on improving our everyday lives, staying positive and managing do to less when needed. “Why is self-confidence only sold to women? Why do women constantly acquire new knowledge, is it really a consequence of the desire to acquire it or just an attempt to fulfill society’s expectations of them? You feel as if you are constantly climbing stairs that lead nowhere”, said Maja in her speech.

Staša Stanković is a young scientist from Cambridge and the founder of the startup OvartiX. Her scientific team is working on discovering next-generation therapies for reproductive diseases and infertility in women.

Ana Andjelic, the long-time fashion and luxury category marketer and one former Chief Marketing Officer for Esprit, Banana Republic and Rebecca Minkof. With a PhD in sociology from Columbia University, she is the author of “The Business of Aspiration” and a recognized authority on luxury brands. 

Unmatched Energy and Inspiration

Attendees exchanged ideas, forged connections, and participated in dynamic panel discussions that highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving change. The atmosphere was charged with optimism and a shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership, not just in the Adriatic region but globally.

Forbes Adria spans across Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro and is dedicated to promoting leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Adriatic region. Through events like the Power Women’s Summit, Forbes Adria seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, while advocating for a more equitable and inclusive business landscape.