The 2024 Rise & Lead Summit, held in The Hague on September 12-13, was the 7th annual event for this organisation, aimed at advancing gender-balanced leadership and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. With participants attending from around the world, it offered an inspiring mix of panels, workshops, and networking sessions designed to address systemic barriers for women and marginalized groups.
The summit kicked off with a keynote speech emphasizing the urgency of gender equality in leadership roles by Karien van Gennip, Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Minister of Social Affairs & Employment.
“Gender diversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business” she shared.
“Research shows that companies with gender-balanced leadership teams perform better, innovate more, and see higher profits. Yet, women are still underrepresented in top roles. It’s time to unlock the full potential of your organization through gender diversity.”
Karien van Gennip also highlighted the importance of structural change to achieve gender parity in leadership. While progress has been made, true equality remains elusive, and organizations must move beyond token efforts.
Key Takeaways were shared on the Rise&Lead LinkedIn page for this and all the other keynotes:
– Find a Mentor: Support and guidance are essential.
– Join Networks: Connect with like-minded peers.
– Own Your Identity: Whether you wear red shoes or not, you’re qualified to lead.
– Success is Tough: Achieving and maintaining success requires resilience and adaptability.
– Ask to be Challenged: Building a Team that can be critical and that will challenge you is key to success.
The Call to Action from the keynote:
“Organizations must prioritize gender diversity for stronger leadership and better business outcomes. Together, we can close the gender gap and build a more inclusive future.”
Panel discussions throughout the event provided in-depth insights into key topics like corporate gender diversity, DEI best practices, and the role of inclusive leadership in business growth. For the first time, neurodiversity was included as a specific session, where Renee Tentori and Jonathan Evans explained more about this relatively new topic to the DEI agenda.
Other workshops at the event offered hands-on strategies for advancing women in leadership, with topics ranging from personal branding to negotiating skills, as well as the importance of male allies. The summit also hosted roundtable discussions, allowing attendees to exchange experiences and best practices for creating more inclusive workplaces.
The event included an awards gala, recognizing changemakers and trailblazers who have made significant contributions to DEI efforts. The gala served as both a celebration of achievements and a call to action for continued progress in leadership equity.
https://riseandleadwomen.com/summit-schedule2024
The powerhouse woman behind this organisation is Ebere Akadiri, originally from Nigeria but living long term now in The Hague, who brings together a dedicated and diverse team for this event each year.
For more about Rise & Lead, visit:
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