January 27, Women on Boards Ukraine had the honor of hosting Dr. Michelle Harrison, Global CEO of Verian and co-founder of the Reykjavík Index for Leadership. The event was moderated by Olena Malynska, Co-Founder of WoBua.

During this engaging session, Dr. Harrison shared insights from the 2024/2025 Index, a globally recognized benchmark that measures perceptions of gender equality in leadership.

Broader Trends from the Reykjavík Index 2024/2025:

• Persisting Gender Bias in Leadership: The Index reveals that even in G7 countries, women are still often perceived as less suitable for top-level positions. While perceptions vary by sector—healthcare and education showing greater support for women, compared to defense and engineering—an alarming trend of “re-gendering” leadership roles is emerging in some industries.

• Global Polarization and Its Impact: Factors such as economic instability, war, misinformation, and targeted online attacks have contributed to growing polarization. However, counterforces such as the success of women in higher education, visible female role models, and regulatory reforms offer hope for progress.

• Generational Challenges: Contrary to expectations, younger generations in many countries display stronger biases compared to older cohorts, highlighting the complexity of cultural shifts and the influence of modern challenges.

The discussion also explored critical issues:

• Navigating Leadership Amid Crisis: How do women balance career, family, and societal contributions during wartime?

• Future-Proofing Gender Equity: What steps can be taken to protect the confidence and mental well-being of future generations against challenges such as harassment or systemic bias?

• Sustaining Progress in Crisis: How can we prevent regression in gender equality during global upheavals?

While celebrating the increased representation of women in leadership, Dr. Harrison emphasized that progress remains fragile, requiring vigilance and collective effort to sustain momentum.

We extend our gratitude to all participants for their honest contributions and to Women on Board Turkey and Corporate Governance Professional Association for their active role in making this event a success. Together, we are paving the way for a more equitable future in leadership.