The Book

Women Leading the Way in Brussels

(John Harper Publishing, forthcoming)



Women Leading the Way in Brussels brings together the stories of great women leaders in the capital of Europe. Inspirational role models, who have 'made it' in a variety of sectors in this diverse European hub, share their experiences, reflect on lessons learnt, and impart advice for the next generation of aspiring women leaders.

A collection of punchy, frank, and revealing vignettes, the book serves as the first of its kind, as it focuses on a distinctly European form of women's empowerment and leadership. By drawing on the uniquely diverse and multi-level identity that Brussels boasts, the book encourages reflection on what it means to be a woman leader in the heart of Europe - and how to get there.

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Beyond the leaders' stories, the authors have drawn up a map of the key initiatives in Brussels which support professional women across all sectors: ranging from women's organizations, structured mentoring programs to informal associations. The aim of the book is twofold: to inspire, guide and support women wanting to succeed professionally in Brussels and Europe, and - more broadly - to accelerate changes of mentality, and corresponding institutional reforms, around gender diversity and equality in leadership.

Features
  • A collection of stories of inspirational women role models
  • A fresh perspective on Brussels, a cosmopolitan city, capital of Europe, seat of multiple international organizations
  • Insights into European leadership styles
  • "Dos and don'ts" for women leaders-to- be
  • Facts & figures about women's leadership in Europe; best practices that can help women to develop successful careers in the complex European maze
  • A visual map of initiatives and structures in Brussels which connect and support ambitious women
Interviewees
  1. Margot Wallström, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister
  2. Helga Schmid, Deputy Secretary General for the European External Action Service (EEAS)
  3. Pastora Valero, Vice-President of CISCO
  4. Salome Cisnal de Ugarte, Partner at Crowell & Moring
  5. Ana Gomes, Member of the European Parliament
  6. Louise Harvey, Chair, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting
  7. Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Parliament & former Commissioner
  8. Lotte Leicht, Director of Human Rights Watch Brussels Office
  9. Isabella Lenarduzzi, Founder and Director of JUMP
  10. Oana Lunguescu, Spokesperson at NATO
  11. Ann Mettler, Head of the European Political Strategy Centre, Co-founder of the Lisbon Council
  12. Sheherazade Semsar de Boisseson, Publisher and Managing Director of POLITICO
  13. Monique Pariat, Director General of the Directorate-General Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)
  14. Francoise Pissart, Director at the King Baudouin Foundation

Plus a long list of contributions, advice & tips from leading women and men in the different key sectors in Brussels.


The authors

Claudia de Castro Caldeirinha

Claudia is the project initiator and original author. She has been working on gender issues since 1996, in Europe and globally. Claudia has a senior professional background in International Relations, women's rights, and leadership development. She currently directs her consultancy company based in Brussels (RedScope Consulting) and advises the EU institutions and other key Brussels stakeholders on women leadership development and strategic organisational development. She has a Masters in International Politics and Gender Studies, PhD studies on International Affairs and is a certified coach and mentor.

Corinna Hörst

Corinna is deputy director at the Brussels office of the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. (GMF) and President of Women in International Security (WIIS) Brussels. In addition, she has founded a network of women working in think tanks with the purpose of adding innovative ideas to the policy debates in Brussels and raising the visibility of female policy experts. Corinna's skill-set includes strategic planning, institution building, operations and staff management, as well as leadership development, including mentoring. She has a PhD in History.

Women Leading the Way in Brussels

Coming soon
Women leading the way

in Brussels

Women leading the way in Brussels

Different women, different nationalities, different leadership styles, different stories and many lessons to share. All of them remarkable women and inspirational role models, who reached very senior positions in their respective sectors: corporate, politics, media, philanthropy, civil society.