ELA Alumna of the Month – January 2025
We’re excited to present our newest ELA Alumna of the Month, Auguste Vykertaite of Lithuania! Winner of our Europe's Rural Leader Award at The Women’s Academy for Rural Innovation 2024, this experienced data analyst is determined to help build a brighter rural future.
Read more about how the European Leadership Academy inspired her to seize every opportunity and reach for her dreams:
Which aspects of the European Leadership Academy made your time with us such a life-changing experience for you?
The cosy and encouraging environment made it easy to connect. It was such a good programme.
How did the ELA programme you attended impact your personal growth? What’s a moment or sentence that you will never forget?
The word that stands out is empowerment. I came to understand that I have everything I need to start creating change right now. The team work, from idea to pitching, had a big impact on me, as well as the session with Nuno.
Did the programme influence your plans? Did it bring you closer to your goals and/or help you take a different path?
Yes. It has empowered me to take more brave and risky steps at the same time.
Mostly making connections. I have contacted people, held meetings with people with important positions. I have taken their opinions and views as valuable input to solve the problem I am solving.
What have you achieved in the past few years that you are you most proud of?
First, I have let go of everything that affects my brain in a bad way. I have gotten into the habit of applying a method which widens my brain and increases the speed of my brain work every day. Secondly, I became pregnant and decided to grow the baby on my own.😊
Knowing what you know now – what would you wish to have done differently?
I would not change anything. Mistakes were made to learn and change.
How did the programme shape your view of society and the changes that digital technology can bring?
I realised that most people want to connect, share their experience. I've built a closer and deeper connection with women. I also learned about the importance of stepping out now and making any change with bravery now, not tomorrow. This brought new perspective to the knowledge I already had from being in the tech field.
What is your vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future and how do you aim to contribute to it?
Any business should be in synergy with nature and people making zero waste. I aim to contribute by creating a successful business which performs this way.
What advice would you give the many women out there wishing to make a difference?
Dream big and impossible. Do not doubt yourself. Listen to others, but remember - you know best. Know where you are going - have a big vision and set up realistic goals. Be resilient - nothing can stop you, if you decide to keep reaching for your goals. Make it happen - act right now and tomorrow.
Lastly, please share the name of one song / book / movie that inspires you. The ELA community is always eager to broaden the sources of imagination and creativity!
Basically all books by Evdokia Luchezarnova. There are some books in English which best explain her approach: "Time is a live substance with its own laws", "Time is…", "Nothing ever happens by chance", "Inside the mind". Some of these books can be found online for free: https://luchezarnova.com/home/
Which aspects of the European Leadership Academy made your time with us such a life-changing experience for you?
The cosy and encouraging environment made it easy to connect. It was such a good programme.
How did the ELA programme you attended impact your personal growth? What’s a moment or sentence that you will never forget?
The word that stands out is empowerment. I came to understand that I have everything I need to start creating change right now. The team work, from idea to pitching, had a big impact on me, as well as the session with Nuno.
Did the programme influence your plans? Did it bring you closer to your goals and/or help you take a different path?
Yes. It has empowered me to take more brave and risky steps at the same time.
Mostly making connections. I have contacted people, held meetings with people with important positions. I have taken their opinions and views as valuable input to solve the problem I am solving.
What have you achieved in the past few years that you are you most proud of?
First, I have let go of everything that affects my brain in a bad way. I have gotten into the habit of applying a method which widens my brain and increases the speed of my brain work every day. Secondly, I became pregnant and decided to grow the baby on my own.😊
Knowing what you know now – what would you wish to have done differently?
I would not change anything. Mistakes were made to learn and change.
How did the programme shape your view of society and the changes that digital technology can bring?
I realised that most people want to connect, share their experience. I've built a closer and deeper connection with women. I also learned about the importance of stepping out now and making any change with bravery now, not tomorrow. This brought new perspective to the knowledge I already had from being in the tech field.
What is your vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future and how do you aim to contribute to it?
Any business should be in synergy with nature and people making zero waste. I aim to contribute by creating a successful business which performs this way.
What advice would you give the many women out there wishing to make a difference?
Dream big and impossible. Do not doubt yourself. Listen to others, but remember - you know best. Know where you are going - have a big vision and set up realistic goals. Be resilient - nothing can stop you, if you decide to keep reaching for your goals. Make it happen - act right now and tomorrow.
Lastly, please share the name of one song / book / movie that inspires you. The ELA community is always eager to broaden the sources of imagination and creativity!
Basically all books by Evdokia Luchezarnova. There are some books in English which best explain her approach: "Time is a live substance with its own laws", "Time is…", "Nothing ever happens by chance", "Inside the mind". Some of these books can be found online for free: https://luchezarnova.com/home/
Published by The European Leadership Academy on 15/01/2025
