Magyar
We are so happy and proud to share that this year will be the 13th time that we are organising our International Women’s Day Conference.
Please mark your calendars for the 7th of March 8:00 a.m. to 17:00. The event will be held in Hungarian and English, with online interpretation.
Your voice is stronger!
A day about allyship, about supporting each other, the power of networking and our voice.
During the conference, we will explore the topic through personal stories and corporate best practices, together with our experts and guests.
Time: 7th March, 2025, 8 am – 5 pm
Location: Magyar Telekom HQ (1097 Budapest, Könyves Kálmán krt. 36.)
PROGRAM
START |
PROGRAM |
SPEAKER |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Welcome, networking | ||
| 09:00 | Opening – program, technical information | Antónia Mészáros (UNICEF Hungary), moderator of the event | |
| 09:10 | Welcome | Márta Holló dr. (Magyar Telekom) | |
| 09:20 | How Does My VOICE Reflect My Leadership Skills? – Voice Exercises for Authentic Leaders | Bea Palya | |
| 09:40 | With Gender Budgeting to Thriving Communities – Lessons from Vienna | Elisabeth Klatzer (European Gender Budgeting Network) | |
| 10:00 | “Coffee, Career, Zombies, and a Cameroonian Striker” | Adorján Korényi (Nokia) | |
| 10:15 | More Than an Alliance: How to Provide Effective Support? | Judit Ignácz (Sheja Consulting) | |
| 10:30 | RICHTER “START” Program – About You, for Your Future! | Zsuzsa Beke (Gedeon Richter PLC) | |
|
10:40 |
coffee break |
||
| 11:00 | Awakening! – with Fruzsina Szemsző | Fruzsina Szemző | |
| 11:15 | What makes a man a feminist? | Péter Sárosi (Drogriporter) | |
| 11:25 | Not Just a Token Gesture, but Real Corporate Support | ▪️Bea Juvancz (BlackRock) ▪️Elza Pálinkás (Kyndryl) ▪️Krisztina Kovács (Magyar Telekom) ▪️Norbert Túróczi (Tesco) ▪️Antónia Mészáros (moderator) |
|
| 12:10 | #MenstrualPoverty | Nóra Hevesi (Tesco) | |
| 12:20 | Menstruation is not a luxury Roundtable |
▪️Anna Kovács-Pálffy (Nemluxustáska) ▪️Gréta Tölgyesi (Essity) ▪️Katalin Kornélia Takács dr. (Ökumenikus Segélyszervezet) ▪️ Mariann Váradi (Hungarian Red Cross) ▪️ Nóra Hevesi (Tesco, moderator) |
|
|
13:00 |
lunch break |
||
| 13:00 | How understanding our nervous system helps us become better allies. Stand up for ourselves and others? online meeting (in Hungarian) |
Gabriella Bódi ([eureka] Consulting & Games) | |
| 14:00 | Press Editors Who Take the Pulse of Women Daily – What Do Hungarian Women Really Need? (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️Lili Pankotai ▪️Kriszta D. Tóth (WMN) ▪️Kriszta Maróy (Glamour) ▪️Vera Mérő (moderátor) |
|
| 14:00 | How to Retain Parents with Young Children? (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️Linda Szijjártó dr. (video message) ▪️Diana Kovács (E.ON) ▪️Nóra Simon-Kiss (Morgan Stanley) ▪️Mészáros Antónia (moderator) |
|
| 14:00 | Women Power – Supportive Female Communities (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️Krisztina Kende-Hofherr ▪️Anna Nagy (Single Parent Centers) ▪️Károly Válóczi (Successful Women Entrepreneurs Club) ▪️MomPreneurs |
|
|
14:50 |
break, rotation |
||
| 15:00 | Gender Pay Gap, Pay Transparency – What Do the New Regulations Bring? (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️Dr. Barbara Gönczi (NGM) ▪️Dr. Boglárka Kricskovics-Béli (KPMG) ▪️György Palásti (Gi Group Hungary) ▪️Katinka Rózsa (United Platforms) ▪️Tamás Jakus (Thermo Fisher Scientific) ▪️Andrea Szücs (KPMG, moderátor) |
|
| 15:00 | No Success Without a Network (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️Ágota Bíró (Engame Academy, moderator) ▪️Barbara Pénzes (E.ON) ▪️Éva Hunyadi (Kyndryl) ▪️Luca Kiss (Nokia) ▪️Patrícia Vuleta (Magyar Telekom) |
|
| 15:00 | Alone but Not Lonely – Rethinking Singlehood and Family Planning (Roundtable + Facilitated Discussion) |
▪️ Irén Rövid dr. ▪️ Betti Hegedűs (nemanya blog) ▪️ Berény Mangel (psychologist) ▪️ Anna Virovecz (Kedves Idegen) |
|
|
15:50 |
break |
||
| 16:00 | Close | Antónia Mészáros (UNICEF Hungary), moderator of the event | |
| 16:05 | Inspiring Teamsmanship in Women video message |
Leslie LaPage (LA Femme International Film Festival) | |
| 16:15 | Closing thoughts | Edina Heal (Egyenlítő Alapítvány) | |
During the day we will provide catering.
The event is free for the active membership of the Foundation and open to the press, but registration is required.
The event is free for the active membership of the Foundation and open to the press, but registration is required.For external visitors, personal attendance is possible with the purchase of a support ticket (19.000 HUF).
The value of the suppor ticket is donated to the Equaliser Foundation in the form of a contribution through the “Adjukössze” donation platform. Therefore, for the ticket exchange, we cannot provide an invoice, but in the case of corporate transactions, we can issue a donation receipt as a foundation with public utility.
The conference will be streamed as a Zoom webinar, online participation is possible with the purchase of a support ticket (5.000 HUF).is possible with the purchase of a support ticket (5.000 HUF).
SPEAKERS
Adorján Korenyi – Head of Core Engineered Systems at Nokia
Adorján Korenyi has been with Nokia for 25 years and currently leads the integration of Nokia’s 5G core systems while managing complex international projects. As the Hungarian sponsor of Nokia’s StronHer initiative, he is dedicated to supporting women’s participation and advancement in the technology sector. He firmly believes that diversity not only fosters fairness but also creates more successful workplaces.
Ágota Bíró – Deputy CEO, Engame Akadémia
A female leader dedicated to diversity and inclusion, experienced in the education, NGO and Tech sectors (British Council, Emarsys,SAP) mainly in an international setting. She is passionate about learning and development and participated in several international projects as a trainer and executive coach.
Andrea Szücs – Director, Global Mobility Services, KPMG
Andrea Szücs leads the Global Mobility Services team dealing with personal taxation at
KPMG Advisory Ltd’s tax department, with over 16 years of experience. Her team focuses
on advisory activities related to individuals, including advice on employee benefits,
compensation policies, personal income taxation of expatriates, social security, and
immigration issues, as well as taxation advice for individuals with significant international
investment portfolios.
Anna Nagy is the founder and head of the Single Parent Centers. By profession, she is a journalist and communications expert. She established the Single Parents’ Foundation 20 years ago and has been serving as the chair of its board ever since.
Anna Margit Kovács-Pálffy – Social worker
35 years old, mother of three, sociologist and social worker – one of the main organizers of #nemluxustaska campaign
Since 2018. I am actively fighting against period poverty in Hungary, as one of the organizers of #nemluxustaska campaign. Our target is to collect donations of hygienic goods and everyday needs for women in period poverty. In Hungary close to 20% of women are affected by period poverty, unable to buy elementary hygenic goods. This is not only a health risk, but this deprives them of their dignity, hurdles their attendance to school or work. Organizers of the #nemluxustaska campaign – Huszka Ágnes, Sipos- Mohai Réka and myself – besides collecting dontations, we are openly and authentically lobbying to render the period poverty to a topic of public discussion. Since the start of the campaign we collected 55 thousand of donations and though helped 55 thousand women in need.
Anna Virovecz, founder and editor of @kedves_idegen and co-host of the Kedves Idegen Podcast
Antónia Mészáros – Executive Director @ UNICEF Hungary
Antónia Mészáros is the Executive Director of UNICEF Hungary, previously a journalist, tv anchor and documentary film director. She has worked in news, current affairs and documentaries in Hungarian media, as well as British Public Broadcasting. During her seven years at the BBC, she has worked at the prestigious prime time current affairs strand Panorama, Newsnight, Correspondent and other well known programmes.She covered wars, filmed in hostile environments and worked also as an investigative journalist. Antónia continued making documentaries for the BBC after her return to her native Hungary, in parallel to her on screen work for Hungarian Public Television. One of her films was selected „best of the year” by BBC World, another premiered in a cinema in front of King Charles. In 2006 she wrote a book about Eastern European migration to the UK. Over the years she has been selected as a European Young Leader, an Aspen Young Leader and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and completed executive education courses at Harvard and Oxford University.
Barbara Czupy – Mompreneurs Hungary
My journey led me from leadership to entrepreneurship, as well as to roles as a university lecturer and researcher, while developing a deep passion for building community connections and fostering mutual support. I firmly believe, that the power of collaboration creates new opportunities. My superpower lies in marketing and international markets, which I seamlessly integrate with both passion and strategic vision
Dr. Barbara Gönczi – Head of the Labor Law Unit, Ministry for National Economy Employment Regulation Department
Barbara Pénzes – Head of Customer-Centricity – E.ON Hungária Zrt.
I have worked in various areas of the E.ON Group over the past 21 years, progressing from a student employee to a middle management position. I believe that as a company, we strive to provide equal opportunities to all colleagues, regardless of gender. However, it is still evident which areas are considered more “feminine” and which are seen as more “masculine.”
I have experienced both extremes and aim to demonstrate through my own example that women can succeed in any field. Along my journey, I have encountered many inspiring role models who have helped me, which is why I find it essential to talk about gender equality. This commitment led me to become a core team member of the Women at E.ON program, working to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Bea Juvancz – Head of Budapest Office – BlackRock
I am Head of the BlackRock Budapest Office. Prior to joining BlackRock in January 2022, I was key contributor to set up and strategic direction of Morgan Stanley’s Budapest office and leader of the Finance function. My prior experiences include heading the Management Accounting and Financial Reporting departments of the Central Bank of Hungary, Project lead at the Boston Consulting Group and auditor at Arthur Andersen. I earned an MBA and MA from The Wharton School of Business and The School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Temple University. I have been involved with SOS Children’s Villages, most recently as the Vice President for SOS International and I`m a member of the board of Hungarian Business Leaders Forum.”
Bea Palya – Singer, Songwriter, Voice teacher, Coach
Half-Gypsy from the edge of a tiny Hungarian village, she sang herself into Carnegie hall. Hungarian folk songs are her musical “mother tongue”, and she has deep roots in Romani (Gypsy), Jewish, and Bulgarian music.
After 40 years of performing on the biggest stages of the world from Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) to London Royal Opera House, she put her voice-wisdom to serving others. By the encouragement of her dear friend Dr. Gábor Máté, she became a transformational voice teacher, besides continuing giving concerts as well all over the world.
She developed several programs based on her method of voice-related deep inner work. She helps people, mostly women, to find their own authentic voice and row through it. Her method involves exercises to open and free the physical voice, cultivating a sense of joy in singing, and learning the basics of songwriting: embracing our personal history and creating our soulsong out of that material in order to grow and self-realize.
She is also continuing her songwriting work. Being the first female singer-songwriter in Hungary (with her 47 years!) she is a pioneer in writing her bodily experiences into songs, which transformed thousands and thousands of lifes in her tribe. Some of the themes that arise include how to be less burdened by the inheritance we receive from our ancestors, how to give birth, how to have a positive body image, how to return to sexuality after childbirth and parenthood, how to have a sustained life partnership with another person, how to have the support of sisterhood friendships, and how to heal from divorce and what to say to our children about it. (She also went through a divorce with two very small children, and, through singing and songwriting, she turned her experience into a deep medicine – for herself and for others.
Berény Mangel – Clinical Psychologist, Organizational Development Consultant (Freestyle Consulting)
Berény has been working as a development professional for more than 20 years. In the first phase of his professional career, he spent four years at the Crisis Intervention Unit of Péterfy Hospital, followed by another four years at the Tündérhegy Psychotherapy Department, and then two years at the Addiction Department of Merényi Hospital.
Berény turned his focus on human-centered organizational development processes 10 years ago beside his work as a psychologist. He is a co-owner and senior consultant at Freestyle Consulting Ltd. His diverse professional experience which based upon exploring both the rational and irrational aspects of human behavior, combined with his constant curiosity about the dynamics of social cooperation, shapes the unique and sensitive perspective he applies in his everyday work.
Bettina Hegedűs – NEManya blog
A. B. Windecker – or simply Betti – is a 32-year-old writer and blogger who started the NEManya blog on Facebook eight years ago purely for fun. Today, she is dedicated to educating people about sexuality, kink, and ethical non-monogamy.
She has been living in England for six years, is consciously child-free, and has a cat. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, and the second book in her young adult series is soon to be published, covering topics such as sexuality, responsible alcohol consumption, and animal welfare.
She believes that education is the first step toward progress and is unbothered by any judgment regarding her open feminism or unconventional lifestyle. She critically examines different social structures and relationship models, while also embracing self-reflection and personal growth.
Boglárka Kricskovics-Béli dr – Legal representative, lawyer, KPMG Legal Tóásó
Dr. Boglárka Kricskovics-Béli has significant experience in labor law, corporate law,
commercial law, and ESG services. She has provided advisory services to international
companies on various compliance and labor law issues, participated in numerous due
diligence procedures, and advised on cross-border TUPE transactions. She has been
involved in drafting commercial agreements and employment contracts, as well as related
agreements for senior employees. She has significant experience in M&A transactions,
including conducting due diligence and providing post-transaction services. She has
participated as an advisor in numerous corporate reorganizations and represented
employers in litigation and collective bargaining.
Diana Kovács – Head of Gondoskodás-Egymásért Foundation – E.ON Hungária Zrt.
I have been working at E.ON for 15 years, closely collaborating with colleagues—initially on the technical side as an engineer and, for the past two years, in HR. No matter where I am within the company, as a woman and a mother, I find it essential to maintain a balance between work and personal life. I believe that achieving this requires a family-friendly workplace and strong interpersonal connections.
One key aspect of this is ensuring that mothers on leave do not become completely isolated from their workplace, allowing them to stay informed about important changes and developments. This is where we can offer support, helping to ease their return to work. The Maternity Contact Network serves precisely this purpose, providing opportunities for experience and knowledge-sharing through personal connections. In this network, I have taken on the role of a bridge, facilitating communication and support.
I take great pride in our maternity-friendly corporate policies, which make us pioneers in Hungary. I love working in teams and helping others, and my goal is to contribute to finding the right balance between family life and a successful career.
Dr. Elisabeth Klatzer, co-founder – European Gender Budgeting Network
PhD in Economic and Social Sciences, Master in Public Administration; studied at Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria, and at Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, USA.More than 2 decades of experience working on Gender Budgeting, Public Finance Management, Feminist Economics and related issues. Experience on Gender Budgeting as a researcher, as a public official (during early 2000s in Austria), as a consultant and senior expert, a university lecturer as well as working with civil society organisations.Extensive work on supporting Gender Budgeting implementation in Europe and Asia, including work with the European Union and international organisations such as the UN, OSCE and the World Bank.Co-founder of the European Gender Budgeting Network.Published extensively on Gender Responsive Budgeting as well as on feminist economics and economic policies; e.g. co-editor (with Prof. Angela O’Hagan) of “Gender Budgeting in Europe. Developments and Progress”, published with Palgrave MacMillan.
Elza Pálinkás – Associate Director – Diversity, Global Communities Leader, Kyndryl
Éva Hunyadi – Global Career Pathways Director– CIO, Kyndryl
Éva Hunyadi has been with Kyndryl for 22 years, playing a key role in shaping the company’s culture since its spin-off from IBM. Following the separation, she led the introduction of Kyndryl’s corporate culture in Hungary, successfully implementing it with the support of an enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteer Culture Influencers.
With extensive HR experience, Éva has proven her expertise both in local HR leadership roles and on a global scale. She strongly believes that people-centered organizational change and diverse teams are essential for success. Her work focuses on team development and community support, and she has even led design thinking workshops as far as Argentina.
Building an inclusive and diverse workplace culture is at the heart of her mission. She actively supports women’s communities and serves as the Co-chair of Women KIN in Hungary, a network uniting Kyndryl’s female employees. Additionally, she conducts confidence-building workshops to empower and support the professional growth of female colleagues. Her greatest joy comes from contributing to the success of others.
Fruzsina Szemző – Amazon Activation
I am Fruzsina Szemző – a mother of two, embracing the paradoxes of my Hungarian-American identity, making peace with my learning difficulties, and living my life as an athlete, a creative magician, and an intuitive herbalist. I am constantly exploring the most relevant and transformative ways to enhance and support quality of life. As a teacher, initiator, and practitioner, I navigate the mysteries of life.
Eight years ago, I developed the Amazon Activation movement method, born from my own deeper needs and my curiosity about the elusive complexities of the human body. This method is rooted in my disciplined and persistent personal self-work, hands-on experience, and holistic knowledge accumulated throughout my life. Amazon Activation aims to identify, release, and heal stress, tension, trauma, and various emotional blockages stored in the body.
Through my research, I realized that our negative self-image—along with all the harmful thoughts, behavioral patterns, and habits that stem from it—subtly influences everything in our lives. However, on a cellular level, our dormant potential can be awakened when we learn to connect more deeply with our emotions. I have faced many challenges, but through willingness and small daily steps, I have learned to build trust in my thoughts and feelings. Now, I maintain strong boundaries, continue my inner work, and, most importantly, I have liberated myself. I have confronted what needed to be faced, released what needed to be let go, and today, I am living my highest timeline.
I truly believe that an abundant, joy-filled, and fulfilling GOOD life is possible for everyone!
Gabriella Bódi – Founder, [eureka] Consulting & Games
Gréta Tölgyesi – Senior Brand Manager Intimate Hygiene CEE, Essity Hungary Kft.
My name is Gréta Tölgyesi, marketeer and mother, with nearly 20 years of experience in brand building. The greatest joy and the most exciting challenge of this job is to create value. I’m proud to work on globally well-respected and widely recognized brands such as TENA and Libresse. It’s highly rewarding to contribute directly to Essity’s mission to break barriers to well-being, focusing on improving hygiene and health globally through our local activities.
György Palásti – Country Manager, Gi Group Hungary
Country Manager, Gi Group Hungary
György Palásti is a recognized expert in the HR and recruitment sector, with over 15 years of
experience managing the full spectrum of the labor market. Throughout his career, he has
gained comprehensive knowledge from engaging blue-collar workers to recruiting white-
collar professionals and filling executive positions. Currently, as the head of Gi Group Holding
in Hungary, he is responsible for managing an operation of over 100 people, ensuring the
organization’s efficient operation and continuous development. His professional approach
emphasizes transparent and open communication, fostering a collaborative and supportive
corporate culture. He believes in leadership responsibility and that developing younger
generations is crucial for the sustainability of the future labor market. Following the global
values of the parent company, his goal is to contribute to the creation of a well-functioning,
structured, and long-term sustainable labor market in Hungary.
Irén Rövid dr. – Sociologist, Singles Researcher, Creator of the First Singles Map, and Founder of szingliterkep.hu
In 2017, as a PhD student, Dr. Irén Rövid began researching single life, the characteristics of singles, and the challenges of finding a partner. Based on data from the 2011 census, she created Hungary’s first Singles Map to highlight just how many people were living alone. She updated the map using the latest 2022 census data and made it publicly available on szingliterkep.hu.
Her goal is to use data to dispel myths and prejudices surrounding singles and single life, demonstrating that being single is not necessarily what is portrayed on the big screen or across social media platforms.
Ignácz Judit – Co-founder – Sheja Consulting
Judit is an experienced trainer, author, and activist. Her work focuses on anti-racism, intersectional feminism, and gender equality. She regularly publishes articles and delivers lectures and skill development training sessions for companies, organizations, and groups.
As the co-founder of Sheja Consulting and co-author of Ame Panzh – The Awakening Book, Judit combines her lived experiences and practical knowledge with the expertise she has gained through working with international and domestic organizations in human rights advocacy, policy analysis, and interactive training programs.
Her goal is to encourage people to engage in self-reflection and proactive action while supporting the development of their skills and deepening their awareness.
Katinka Rózsa – HR manager, United Platforms
Since childhood, I knew I wanted to do work that creates value for myself and my
environment and allows for continuous growth and development. This is how I became an
HR professional and a leader. Since 2017, I have held the position of HR Manager at United
Platforms. Throughout my more than 10-year professional career, I have gained experience
in building HR systems, digitalization, performance management, leadership coaching,
culture development, change management, employer branding, and post-acquisition
organizational integration. In addition to my BSc in Human Resources and MSc in
Leadership and Organization, I completed the HR Business Partner postgraduate program at
Corvinus University and obtained a Transformative Team Coach qualification. My passion is
to prove that human-centeredness and business mindset are not contradictory concepts,
which is why we at United Platforms work diligently on our organizational culture, whether it
involves family-friendly solutions or transparent compensation strategies. My goal is to set a
good example for other companies with these efforts. Besides professional activities, I am
interested in public, social, and economic events, and I consider it my mission to support
causes such as the opportunities for women’s social participation. Therefore, I am a member
of the Business Women’s Network Association and the Equator Foundation.
Kriszta D. Tóth – the founder of WMN.hu
Journalist, correspondent, reporter, writer, and a perpetual innovator.
The 50-year-old media professional parted ways with institutional television in 2013. Two years and two bestselling novels later, she founded her own online lifestyle and culture magazine, WMN.hu, along with its accompanying YouTube channel. With its fresh, personal tone, outspoken and taboo-breaking attitude, strong authorial voices, and bold choice of topics, WMN.hu quickly became a major independent player in the media market.
Thanks to its innovative community-building methods, strong social media presence, and impactful video content, the magazine rapidly gained a loyal readership, turning both its writers and its founder into key opinion leaders in the industry. Kriszta’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, and as both a journalist and media professional, she is dedicated to creating meaningful content and sparking conversations about important issues..
Krisztina Kende-Hofherr – TMC Group, #AJMAFT
Krisztina Kovács – HR Business Partner Lead – Enterprise Unit, Magyar Telekom
I have over 25 years of professional experience in HR and business areas in both Hungarian and regional environments, with more than 15 years spent in leadership roles at Hewlett Packard and later at Magyar Telekom. Throughout my career, I have led the HR support of multiple reorganizations, acquisitions, and separations within the company. For the past three years, I have been the HR Business Partner Lead for the Enterprise Unit at Magyar Telekom, focusing on the cultural and organizational transformation of the corporate business segment to become a sustainable and future-proof digital service provider.
I have actively dedicated time to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, promoting social responsibility, and supporting well-being, women, and younger generations through mentorship. This commitment inspired me to introduce the monthly ÉnTech Days for Enterprise Unit employees at Magyar Telekom—to create time for personal and team development and well-being. I have also participated in external organizations and mentored young talents, as I believe in sharing my experiences. In addition to my HR qualifications, I hold an ICF coaching certification, which I actively apply in my work and mentoring processes.
Krisztina Maróy – Editor-in-Chief – GLAMOUR
I have been working as a magazine editor since 1997, and since 2004, I have been the founding editor-in-chief of the Hungarian edition of GLAMOUR magazine. Previously, I gained experience at various magazines, including Elite, Találkozások, Nők Lapja Évszakok, Maxima, and Beau Monde, and also interned at the fashion editorial team of British Vogue.
I am the creator of GLAMOUR Shopping Days, which has become an international success. It is important to me that the magazine stands up for social causes, which is why we introduced female and Roma quotas and regularly collaborate with nonprofit organizations.
Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral research at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, where I analyze the media of fashion to facilitate a shift in designers’ perspectives.
Leslie La Page – Founder and Creator of LA Femme International Film Festival
Leslie La Page is a leading expert in independent female-created content and a passionate advocate for women’s voices in the entertainment industry. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked extensively in film, television, music videos, and theatrical productions, collaborating with major companies such as HBO, Lifetime TV, MTV, Paramount, and Nickelodeon.
In 2005, Ms. La Page founded LA Femme International Film Festival, now recognized as one of the most prestigious film festivals dedicated to empowering women in entertainment. The festival continues to celebrate female creators and provide them with a platform to showcase their work.
Beyond the festival, she has played key roles in various aspects of the industry, including serving as a programmer for the Slamdance Film Festival, directing programming for the New Orleans Media Experience Film Festival, and consulting independent filmmakers on script analysis, budgeting, marketing, and distribution. She has also contributed to academia, teaching at Columbia College Hollywood, UCLA Extension (UCLAx), and Loyola Marymount University.
Currently, Ms. La Page is engaged in packaging TV and film projects, acting as a producer’s representative for distribution, and hosting the Best In Fest podcast, a global platform dedicated to independent filmmaking.
Lili Pankotai
Lili Pankotai’s name became known across Hungary when, on October 23, 2022, she performed her own highly critical slam poetry piece on stage at a student protest. The following day, her high school publicly distanced itself from her, and due to pressure from the school’s leadership—both in public and behind closed doors—she ultimately left Cistercian Nagy Lajos High School in Pécs. In 2024, she graduated from Budapest’s AKG as a scholarship student.
After moving to the capital, she became deeply involved in student organizations, actively participated in public life, and observed Hungary’s opposition youth organizations from a critical distance. By the age of 20, as a regular figure in public discourse and media, she recognized that the existing frameworks were largely ineffective in driving structural change. She also saw that the tools of the X and Y generations seeking change lacked the necessary progressiveness and innovation to achieve real results—making them unworthy of continuation.
Recently, she has begun creating public affairs content, aiming to actively explore political and social innovations, as well as new or yet-to-be-developed best practices that could enhance social advocacy and empower future politicians. This year, she is applying to the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies at NKE, while also attending CEU’s adult education program and taking private lessons in geopolitics, constitutional law, and economics.
As a member of the new generation, Lili Pankotai does not ask whether she can become Hungary’s first female prime minister as a woman—but rather, what it even means to say “as a woman” in the first place.
Linda Szijjártó Dr.
I am a Work and Organizational Psychologist, and I support mothers returning to the labor market after maternity leave, both from L&D and from scientific point of view. As an Assistant Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics I conducted a scientific research in 2024 on the challenges and needs of parents returning to the labor market, in which 1,400 people participated. In addition, as the founder of Mindsetland, I design and facilitate workshops and lectures, mainly in corporate environment, which support the conscious preparation and confident return of women to the labor market.
In 2023, I gave a talk on the topic at TedXBME and in 2024 at TEDXlibertyBridgeWomen event.
I have been part of the Nokia team since 2010, and I am currently responsible for the Employer Branding strategy at the company’s Budapest office. Additionally, I lead the local chapter of StrongHer, Nokia’s global employee resource group focused on gender equality.
In my work, I collaborate with numerous communities, believing in the power of collective thinking, creativity, and teamwork. I see communities as supportive environments that provide momentum, encouragement, and security. I have been actively engaged in gender equality initiatives for five years, and I view the strength of communities in their diversity. I firmly believe that equal opportunities are not only fair but also beneficial for both companies and individuals.
In 2023, we launched the Nokia Women’s Career Meetup series to create a platform where professionals dedicated to diversity can exchange experiences and work together to bridge gender-based gaps. My goal is to foster open and honest conversations that help us better understand each other, to highlight that gender equality can only be achieved by involving men, and to contribute to building a more equal world for my daughters to grow up in.
Márta Holló MBA – Corporate Communications Director, Magyar Telekom
Since April 2022, Márta Holló has been the Corporate Communications Director at Magyar Telekom. She is responsible for the company’s entire external and internal corporate communications, including defining and implementing corporate PR and internal communication strategies, as well as managing media and press relations.
Before joining Telekom, Márta spent 25 years in the media industry. She was a founding member and editor-in-chief of RTL Klub’s daily magazine program Fókusz and later, from 2017, hosted ATV’s Híradó (News) and the morning public affairs show Start.
She holds degrees in television studies from the University of Theatre and Film Arts, law from József Attila University, and an Executive MBA from CEU Business School. In 2016, she expanded her expertise with an Executive MBA degree and, alongside her television career, worked as a communications consultant for several domestic and international companies.
Nóra Hevesi – Head of Communications and Campaigns – Tesco
She’s a communication professional with nearly 30 years of experience and the mother of two adult children. She has been with Tesco for 11 years and is committed to supporting and organizing the company’s diversity programs and equal opportunity efforts.
Norbert Túróczi – Head of HR Hungary, Tesco
A senior leader with over 15 years of HR experience in the retail and consulting sectors. Skilled in organizational development, compensation, and talent development. He began working on employer branding during his university years and established a dedicated team for this field at Tesco nearly five years ago. Later, he led a diverse team of over 50 HR professionals at a regional level. Since January 2024, he has been serving as the Country HR Director at Tesco.
Patrícia Vuleta – Data Analyst, Magyar Telekom
I joined Magyar Telekom as a data analyst in the summer of 2022, supporting the B2C team with various data and market analyses. For me, data analysis is not just about processing numbers—it’s about leveraging them to drive the best decisions.
The power of community has always played a crucial role in my life. As a child, I was part of a close-knit folk dance group, where I experienced the strength of teamwork, which has always been a key source of motivation for me. That’s why, when the Women at Telekom employee community was established, I had no doubt about joining. However, I didn’t expect to become one of its leaders right away. Since then, my team and I have been working to ensure that every female colleague feels that Telekom is a workplace where true equal opportunities await them and where everyone’s contributions are valued.
To support this mission, we launched the SHE-Care Mentoring Program last year, aimed at addressing the key challenges faced by our female colleagues. Beyond mentorship, we provide various training sessions to help them develop skills that empower them to navigate challenges and build their careers.
I firmly believe that diversity and an inclusive corporate culture are essential for employees to reach their full potential. My goal is to contribute to making Telekom a workplace where equal opportunities are genuinely available to everyone.
Péter Sárosi – Executive Director – Rights Reporter Foundation
Péter Sárosi is a human rights advocate and drug policy expert. He is currently the director of the Jogriporter Foundation, a civil organization, and previously led the drug policy program at the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ). Together with his colleagues, he has produced numerous human rights-focused documentaries.
With nearly 70,000 followers on his Facebook page and as a host on Tilos Rádió, he frequently engages in discussions on sensitive social issues.
Tamás Jakus – HR Lead South-East Europe, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Tamás Jakus has 20 years of professional experience spent in a multicultural and
multinational environment, during which he gained significant experience, HR Business
Partnering, HR Operations, Resourcing and Learning & Development. From 2009 he worked
in various HR management positions in Budapest and London. During the years spent here,
he had the opportunity to lead smaller and larger teams. After Randstad, Avis, Diageo and
Novartis, Tamás got the opportunity to join Thermo Fisher Scientific, where has has been
working as HR Lead for the past 5 years, currently looking after multiple countries in South-
East Europe. His most important goal as a leader is to create a supportive and ambitious
environment, in which everyone can be themselves and thus bring out the best. It is also very
important for him to create opportunities for his colleagues working with me to develop,
advance and reach their full potential.
Zsuzsa Beke – Head of Global Communication, CSR and Public Affairs at Gedeon Richter Plc.
Zsuzsa Beke is the Head of Global Communication, CSR and Public Affairs at Richter Gedeon Plc. She began her career at the State Property Agency (ÁVÜ, later ÁPV Rt.) in the Press and Marketing Directorate and later worked at communication consultancy firms, primarily focusing on financial communication projects such as stock exchange listings and acquisitions.
For the past 24 years, she has been with Richter Gedeon Plc., where she leads the company’s domestic and international corporate communications as well as government relations.
In addition to being a female executive, Zsuzsa is also a mother of three. She had her first child at 22 and her third at 48. As a leader at Richter Gedeon Plc., a company deeply committed to women’s issues, her goal is to break taboos surrounding womanhood and raise awareness about the importance of preventing health issues that impact women’s lives. She firmly believes that every woman, regardless of age, should feel comfortable in her own skin.
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
