EWOB and the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum join forces to foster gender balance in leadership

We are delighted to announce that the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum (HBLF) is joining EWOB’s network of like-minded associations as a local partner. Together, we will work on fostering gender balance in leadership in Hungary and across Europe.

EWOB is committed to advance gender balance in decision-making roles across Europe. To this end, EWOB offers development programs for all women wishing to take the next step in their careers and become successful leaders. Through its events and networking opportunities, EWOB also aims at creating a diverse community of professionals who support each other and share their experiences in a safe environment.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum, a renowned organisation regularly launching new pioneering initiatives for women in leadership. We look forward to seeing the fruits of our joint efforts in driving diversity and in particular gender balance in leadership.” - Silvia Wiesner, EWOB Local Partnerships and Membership Committee Chair

HBLF has been the exclusive representative of the EU Diversity Charter in Hungary since 2016. Diversity and inclusion at the workplace, equal opportunity and women’s participation in leadership are its priority themes. HBLF Women Leaders Forum (since the mid 2000’s) and the award-winning HBLF International X Mentor Programme (since 2017), have been launched to support the network and development of female leaders.

In response to the 2022 EU Women on Boards Directive, HBLF launched the HBLF X Mentor Executive Programme, supporting candidates for board roles. In addition to mentoring, the programme provides premium workshops focusing on various aspects of what it means to be a board member.

"The partnership with European Women on Boards reinforces Hungarian Business Leaders Forum’s mission to support the sustainable development of the country by leveraging the power of diversity. Joining forces on an international level offers more opportunities and opens more doors - for everyone." - Andrea Istenes Solti, President of the HBLF 

The partnership coordinator of HBLF is Magdolna Tokai.

“With nearly 20 years of CEO and VP track record in the energy industry, where women are still under represented, I have managed to prove myself as a professional, as a leader, but also as a female executive who established several programs with nearly 1000 participants - both women and men - who learned the added value of female colleagues’ equal treatment. I truly believe, and data supports the fact that, the “4 eyes principle” (both man and woman) brings the maximum shareholder value and the optimal results for a company. To accomplish this, we need more female decision makers on all levels. The partnership of HBLF and EWOB will surely step up the position of our country on this path.” - Magdolna Tokai, CEO and VP in leading energy companies in Hungary and the region

Learn more about EWOB