250 visionaries, leaders from government, business, the public sector, and international organizations, discussions on equality, values, sisterhood, and changing role of women – that was the theme of this year’s Equal Opportunity Leadership Conference. Vira Nedzvedska, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at East Europe Foundation, was among the experts. 

Vira joined the panel discussion with Olha Serdiuk, Director of Olena Pinchuk Foundation, Natalia Karbovska, Director of Strategic Development at Ukrainian Women’s Fund, Andrii Hundar, President of American Chamber of Commerce, and Mila Leonova, Director of Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations – colleagues who shape new standards for community development in various sectors. 

The focus of the discussion was women’s leadership, civil society, and innovation for equal opportunities, moderated by Kateryna Riabiko, board member of Women Leaders for Ukraine, co-founder of H+H Labs. 

“Cross-sectoral partnerships between the government, civil society, business, and international organizations through innovation can strengthen the role of women in the country’s recovery, establish the maturity of society, and make it more inclusive,” the Vice President said. 

Vira also spoke about the experience and solutions implemented by the Foundation’s team, from corporate culture to our digital products, including EGAP Program, which overcome barriers for millions of Ukrainians. Such approaches strengthen inclusiveness in Ukrainian society, and cultivate a culture of cooperation, where everyone has the opportunity to choose. 

In addition, the event featured open dialogues on how to create an environment where decisions are determined by competence, not stereotypes, and why inclusiveness has become the key to the resilience of organizations during the war.

The event ended with the awarding of 18 companies – the first winners of National Award for Systemic Development of Equal Opportunities in Business, the Public Sector, and the Military.