Programme

The issue of women’s economic empowerment, in particular as it pertains to their taking senior management positions at large companies, is becoming increasingly important, as is the need to develop business standards to enhance the contribution of women executives for sustainable economic development. What is the role of politicians and business leaders in engaging more women in economic activity? What specific measures should be taken to promote women’s leadership in manufacturing and the public sector? How can a global partnership for women’s economic empowerment and leadership be forged? What are the prospects for women executives in the era of digitalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)?

Moderator
Jacek Cukrowski, Chief of the Europe and Central Asia Division, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Jacek Cukrowski

Chief of the Europe and Central Asia Division, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Mr. Jacek Cukrowski is a MSc in System Engineering, PhD in Computer Science and a PhD in Habilitation (i.e., a senior post-doctoral qualification) in Economics.

Before joining the Europe and Central Asia Division, he led operations of the UNIDO Institute of Capacity Development. Previously, he worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a Millennium Development Goals adviser and a Team Leader at the Regional Center for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States. Earlier he was with the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE) in Poland and with the Economic Institute of Academy of Science of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Cukrowski has extensive experience in advisory and technical cooperation projects in most of the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He is the co-author of the UNDP Central Asia Human Development Report: “Bringing down barriers: Regional cooperation for human development and human security”.

In recognition of sustained professional and academic excellence he received the title of Professor, conferred by the President of Poland.

Panellists
Irina Gaida, Partner, PwC Strategy& Russia
Li Yong, Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Gulnaz Kadyrova, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Anastasia Kalinina, Head of Eurasia, World Economic Forum
Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Erika Lindauerova, General Manager for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, HP Inc.
Doris Lippert, Head of Digital Advisory Services for Austria, Microsoft Corporation
Veronika Peshkova, President, Foundation for the Development of Public Diplomacy Women's Perspective; Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Julia Solovieva, Director for Business Operations on EMEA Emerging Markets, Google Russia

Irina Gaida

Partner, PwC Strategy& Russia

Ms. Gayda has more than 12 years of experience in oil and gas consulting, focusing on strategy, operational improvements and organizational development. She worked with largest Russian and several international major oil companies on project in Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

Ms. Gayda performed projects in the areas of digital transformation, strategy, performance improvement and innovation management focusing on topics of realizing full organizational potential in multifunctional and multidisciplinary teams.

Before joining PwC she provided headed oil and gas practice of The Boston Consulting Group in CIS for 7 years. Prior to that she worked in private equity and strategy practice of Bain & Co in Paris and was project manager in internal audit of United Technologies Corporation in London and Hartford, CT.

Li Yong

Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Li Yong, has had an extensive career as a senior economic and financial policy-maker. As Vice-Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of China and member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank for a decade, Mr. Li was involved in setting and harmonizing fiscal, monetary and industrial policies, and in supporting sound economic growth in China. He pushed forward financial sector reform, and prompted major financial institutions to establish corporate governance, deal with toxic assets and strengthen risk management. Mr. Li gave great importance to fiscal and financial measures in favor of agricultural development and SMEs, the cornerstones for creating economic opportunities, reducing poverty and promoting gender equality. He played a key role in China’s cooperation with multilateral development organizations, such as the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank.
June 2013 Director General of UNIDO.
2003-2013 Vice-Minister, Ministry of Finance (MOF), People’s Republic of China.
2002-2003 Assistant Minister, MOF.
1999-2002 Secretary General, Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
1996-1998 Executive Director for China, World Bank Group.
1992-1996 Deputy Director General and then Director General, World Bank Department, MOF.
1990-1992 Senior Advisor to Executive Director for China, World Bank Group.
1989-1990 Director, World Bank Department, MOF.
1985-1989 Second Secretary and then First Secretary, Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations.
1984 Deputy Director, Foreign Fiscal Research Office, Research Institute for Fiscal Science, MOF.

Gulnaz Kadyrova

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

Was born July, the 6th in Naberezhnye Chelny. Education: Higher. In 1987 graduated from The Kazan financial and Economic University, specialization «Industry Planning». Economist, PhD (Doctor’s degree in Economic Sciences). Experience: Since 1987 - 1989 - Economist in Department of Labor Organization and salary in Production Association «KamAZ»; Since 1989 - 1990 – Economist of financial department of State executive committee in Naberezhnye Chelny; Since 1990 – 1997 – State tax inspection in Naberezhnye Chelny; Since 1997 – 2001 – Econimic adviser – counselor of the portreeve of Naberezhnye Chelny; Since 2001 – 2003 – Director in Audit company; Since 2003 – 2004 – Deputy Head of Administration of Naberezhnye Chelny in economic and financial sphere; Since 2004 – 2006 – Head of Economic and Financial Department in Federal industrial agency of Russian Federation «Rosprom»; Since 2006 – 2007 – deputy Director of the State Department of industrial policy of Ministry of Industry and Energy of Russian Federation ; In January 2008 was appointed as Director of Department of fiscal and finance in Ministry of Industry and Energy of Russian Federation; July 11th was appointed by an order of Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation (Order №11) as Director of fiscal policy and finance Department of Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation; Since 2014 – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation.

Anastasia Kalinina

Head of Eurasia, World Economic Forum

Anastasia Kalinina is the Head of Eurasia at the World Economic Forum. As part of her responsibilities, she curates regional agenda through engagement with governments, civil society, academia, expert communities, and research organization partners in Eurasian countries. Previously, she has worked with the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum, which is a network of over 450 city-based Hubs around the world led by young people between the ages of 20-30 who self-organize to have impact in their cities. Prior to joining the World Economic Forum, Anastasia directed the launch of numerous global projects such as WomenHIV platform and Social Camp in Russia, Coaching for Development in Nepal, Palomar5 in Germany, and many more. She has run her own initiatives targeting young entrepreneurs in Switzerland, Germany and France. She has launched and implemented a two-year project in St. Petersburg, Russia helping women and children in difficult life situations. Anastasia holds a BA in Literature from St. Petersburg State University, BA in Humanitarian Sciences and Arts from Bard College, MA in Communication Studies from University of Northern Iowa, and MSc in Human Rights from London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a John Smith Fellow, an honorary member of the International Project Management Association, member of international trade professionals network NASBITE, and a Global Leadership Fellow of the World Economic Forum. Her interests include global affairs, governance and leadership, sustainability, emerging technologies and social innovation.

Galina Karelova

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation
Born on 29 June 1950 in the city of Nizhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk Region. In 1972, she graduated from the Sergei Kirov Urals Polytechnic Institute with a degree in engineering and economics. PhD in Economics and DSc in Social Sciences, professor. For 20 years she was engaged in teaching and research. Author of over 150 papers on economic, social and political issues.
Since 1990 – delegate, Deputy Speaker (1992–1993) of the Sverdlovsk Regional Parliamentarian Council.
1994–1996 – Deputy of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy.
1996–1997 – Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Humanitarian, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
Since 1997 – Deputy and since 2000 – First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Russian Federation.
April 2003 – March 2004 – Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on Social Affairs.
April 2004 – December 2007 – Chairperson of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation.
On 2 December 2007, she was elected a deputy to the Fifth State Duma, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes.
On 4 December 2011, she was elected a deputy to the Sixth State Duma, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veteran Affairs.
Since 22 September 2014, she is a Representative of the executive authority of the Voronezh Region in the Federation Council. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy. Initiator and drafter of more than 40 laws, including laws on social protection. Full State Counsellor 1st Class of the Russian Federation. Decorated with state orders and medals.

Erika Lindauerova

General Manager for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, HP Inc.

Erika Lindauerova is the Managing Director for HP Inc. in Czech Republic and Slovakia.

She has been the General Manager of Printing and Personal Systems Group (PPS) and Member of the Board of Directors at Hewlett-Packard for Czech Republic and Slovakia since July 2012. Previously she has held several management positions at HP in Czech Republic and Slovakia covering Printing Business in various areas, i.e. category management, marketing, channel and distribution organization development, and end customer business development in consumer, SMB, large enterprises and public accounts. Erika joined HP in August 1997 as the Printing Category Manager for Slovak Republic.

In addition, Erika actively supports the development of key talents in various mentoring groups and is actively supporting the Employee Engagement initiatives.

Erika Lindauerova holds a Master's degree from the Faculty of natural Sciences, Comenius University, the Slovak Republic.

Doris Lippert

Head of Digital Advisory Services for Austria, Microsoft Corporation

Ms. Doris Lippert is a Digital Advisor Lead at Microsoft Austria, where her team helps customers driving Digital Transformation projects across various industries, with focus on platform transformation and business model reinvention.

Prior to Microsoft she was Head of New Business at the “Point of Origin” which is an Austrian based consulting company focusing on business transformation projects. Her department was responsible for developing transformation projects in the retail and financial services industries through the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).

Before joining the “Point of Origin” in 2016, Doris spent more than 5 years at SAP, a German multinational software corporation that makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations, in charge of the customer engagement activities. She helped customers developing and implementing their customer experience strategies. Therefore she was leading the topics of Customer journey management, CRM and Omnichannel management.

Ms. Lippert holds an M.A. in management from IMC Krems and a B.A. in Marketing & Sales from Campus02.

Veronika Peshkova

President, Foundation for the Development of Public Diplomacy Women's Perspective; Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

President of Public Diplomacy Foundation ‘Women’s View’, Executive Director of the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization ‘Centre for Women’s Entrepreneurship Development’, Member of the Management Board of OPORA Russia.
Actively participates in the implementation of international and federal projects in women’s entrepreneurship and leadership.
Graduated with honours from the Department of International Economic Relations of the Russian University of Cooperation, Master of Business Administration, MBA from Kingston University. Had internships in the USA and Great Britain.

Julia Solovieva

Director for Business Operations on EMEA Emerging Markets, Google Russia

Director of Business Operations, EMEA Emerging Markets, Google Russia.

Julia joined Google Russia in January 2013.

She oversees countrywide commercial operations, setting the long-term strategy and overall growth.

Prior to joining Google, Julia Solovieva was Executive Vice President and President, Russian media holding ProfMedia (2007–2012), where she was responsible for asset management, corporate governance and overall strategy and management of the holding.

From 2003 to 2006 she was Corporate Development Director, Mobile TeleSystems OJSC.

From 2001 to 2003 she lived in the Netherlands and was an Associate at the strategic consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.

Julia Solovieva is an honoured graduate of Moscow State Linguistic University, Faculty of Foreign Languages, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (Boston, USA).

She is a member of the High-Potential Management Personnel Reserve, a programme announced by the president of Russia which brings together thousands of the most talented Russian managers.

Front row participants
Renee Jones-Bos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Russian Federation
Valeriya Seledkova, General Director, GEFCO Russia
Olga Sorokina, Managing Partner, O2 Consulting
Tatyana Terentyeva, Director of Human Resources, ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation
Anna-Maria Treneva, Head, Facebook, Instagram & Messenger for Russia
Eugenia Tyurikova, Head, Sberbank Private Banking
Nadiya Cherkasova, Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board, Otkritie FC Bank; Chairperson of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Committee, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Renee Jones-Bos

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Russian Federation

Education:
1976 Russian and English Studies, Politics and Economics
University of Antwerp (Belgium)
1977 Master of Arts degree in Russian Studies
Sussex University (United Kingdom)

Mrs. Jones Bos worked in the USSR from 1978-1980 as assistant to the Agricultural Counsellor. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, in 1981 and was posted in Washington, Paramaribo, Dhaka and Moscow.

She then had the following assignments:
1994-1998 Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Prague
1998-2000 Head of the Security Council Task Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague
2000-2003 Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague
2003-2005 Deputy Director for Regional Policy and Consular Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague
2005-2008 Director-General for Regional Policy and Consular Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague
2008-2012 Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States of America
2012-2016 Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague
2016- Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Moscow

Valeriya Seledkova

General Director, GEFCO Russia

Education
Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics, and Informatics.

Career

1995 – 1997 Head of the European Bank of reconstruction and development (EBRD) in Tajikistan
1997 – 2002 Project activities on energy sphere within EU TACIS program (Technical Assistance to CIS countries)
2002 – 2006 Economist in Russian office of the Danish company COWI, member of the Directorate on environmental protection (OECD)
2006 – 2012 Financial Director of JSC “Promstroy”
Vice-President - Director of Treasury Department in Promstroy Group CJSC, managing company of the Holding, member of the Audit Commission, member of the Board of the Holding
2012 – 2015 Financial Director of Alstom Group in Russia and CIS, General Director of one of Group’s companies
2015 – August 2017 Financial Director of GEFCO in 1520 region - Russia, CIS and Baltics
September 2017 – present time General Director of GEFCO Russia, member of Board of Directors of GEFCO Group in Baltics
Managing Director of 1520 region - Russia, CIS and Baltics

Olga Sorokina

Managing Partner, O2 Consulting

She graduated with honours from the Moscow State Law Academy (MSAL) with a degree in International Law, and also completed an International Law course at Indiana University, USA. She passed a bar exam and a member of the Moscow Bar Association.
Olga has been practising law for more than 20 years, working at the junction of international corporate and tax law, including the law of foreign countries. She specializes in M&A, legal support of cross-border transactions, investment projects, and structuring global holding companies.
Olga Sorokina is the founder and managing partner of one of the leading law firms O2 Consulting. The company has been in the Russian market for more than ten years, and over the years has implemented many hallmark projects in real estate, finance, high-tech solutions, retail and gained recognition in leading international and Russian ratings: Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Best Lawyers, Pravo-300 and Kommersant. The company has offices in Moscow, Zurich and Nicosia.
Since 2012, Sorokina has also overseen the work of the Swiss Family Office Fidentia Trust AG, which is part of O2 Consulting.
Olga is actively involved in public work and is a headline speaker at forums and conferences, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Atlanta Forum and many others, where she speaks in support of women’s leadership and entrepreneurship. She is also a member of the Mentors’ Council of the Women Leadership Forum, the business mentor of the Atlanta Forum, the Experium and Unimentors portals mentor.
Olga is an exceptional person who has managed to maintain the perfect balance between a successful business career and a family, raising eight children.

Tatyana Terentyeva

Director of Human Resources, ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation

Has 18 years of experience in human resources management. During the last five years she has been leading the annual TOP 1000 Russian Managers rating in energy by Managers Association and Kommersant publishing house. In 2016, she won the eponymous national award, taking the first place among all country’s HR managers. In 2018, she took the grand prix in the HR Manager of the Year nomination of the Crystal Pyramid 2018 award for achievements in human resources management established by the organizing committee of the Summit of HR managers Russia, CIS and Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
In the state corporation she oversees development and implementation of HR management strategy in the industry. As a result of her work, Rosatom has been repeatedly recognized as the best employer for graduates in engineering and technical specializations in Universum international rating. Rosatom leads the rating of best Russian employers according to HeadHunter, the country’s largest recruiting portal. Rosatom is the only partially state-owned company that was called the best employer according to a research by AON Hewitt international consulting company.

Anna-Maria Treneva

Head, Facebook, Instagram & Messenger for Russia

Leads business development and sales team for Facebook, Instagram and Messenger in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe. She joined Facebook Inc. in 2013 to build sales in Russia and CIS. Prior to that from 2010 she led digital transformation of CTC Media as Chief Digital Officer & Member of Management Board. Prior to CTC Media Anna-Maria served as CEO of Next Media Entertainment. Co-founder of Digital CEO Club, co-founder of charity initiative “You Can!” for underprivileged teenagers, participant of Young mediamanagers of Russia rating by PwC and Odgers & Berdston. Education: Stanford Graduate School of Business, Entertainment Masterclass – TV Executive MBA, Bauman Moscow State University.

Eugenia Tyurikova

Head, Sberbank Private Banking

Head of Sberbank Private Banking.
In the Sberbank Private Banking team: since 2016.
Work experience in the financial sector: over 20 years.
Education:
o MBA Diploma in Financial Management;
o Diploma in the International Financial Reporting;
o Certificate of Professional Tax Consultant of the Ministry of Finance of Russia;
o Moscow State Academy of Law, Legal Studies major.
Previous experience:
o Vice President of Finance and Economics, Summa Group;
o Director of Treasury, Accounting and Tax Planning, West Siberian Resources Ltd (NK Alliance);
o Financial Director, Kommersant Publishing House;
o Financial Director, CB BFG-Credit.
Married with five children.

Nadiya Cherkasova

Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board, Otkritie FC Bank; Chairperson of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Committee, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Member of the Board of Otkritie FC Bank. She completed the Institute of Economics at Lobachevsky State University in Nizhny Novgorod, and subsequently, the International Finance and Banking School of Moscow (IFSBM). She interned at South Shore Bank (USA), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Austria), and the International Institute for Management Development –(Germany). From 1994, she worked at the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Inkombank, where she headed the credit department. In 1998, she was named the head of the KMB-Bank division of Nizhny Novgorod. As of 2003, she was a member of the Board, Director of the business development department of KMB-Bank (Moscow). In 2005, she joined Trust Bank as the managing director for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. From 2009 was the head of the corporate block, and, later, Chairman of the Board of Trust Bank. In July 2013 she was named Senior Vice President, Director of the department of customer service for small business for VTB24 (VTB Bank). In March 2014 she joined the Board of VTB24. She is the winner of the National Banking Award “For Efficient Bank Management,” granted by the Association of Russian Banks. In 2007, the Journal of World Business listed her among the 35 most successful women under 35 in business project implementation. In 2010, banki.ru named her “Person of the Year,” and she joined the ranks of the top 50 most influential women of Russia.