Speakers Summer School 2021, Lisbon

Those selected took their seat in a unique classroom. Teachers and mentors came from across the EU Member States. These top-level speakers gave students a first class education, as they addressed everything from economics to policy, climate change to cybersecurity, and innovation to media, during panel discussions and roundtables, casual fireside chats, and keynote speeches.

Elvira Fortunato

Vice-Rector, NOVA University
Director, Materials Research Center (CENIMAT), Associated Laboratory i3N 

André de Aragão Azevedo

Portuguese Secretary of State for the Digital Transition

Catherine Chen

Corporate Senior Vice President and Director of the Board, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Rosa Monteiro

Portuguese Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality

Maria da Graça Carvalho

Member of the European Parliament      

Vicky Piria

Italian-British Racing Driver, Formula Renault Eurocup and W Series

David Jiménez

Columnist, The New York Times
Former Editor-in-Chief, El Mundo 

Eavann Murphy

Managing Director, open eir Wholesale   

Vanda de Jesus

Executive Director, Portugal Digital

Lina Gálvez Muñoz

Member of the European Parliament 

Luisa Santos

Deputy Director General, BusinessEurope

Berta Herrero

Programme Director, Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age
Senior EU Public Affairs Manager, HUAWEI  

Aleksandra Przegalinska

Associate Professor, Kozminski University Poland 

Martina Rogato

Sustainability Advisor and W20 Sherpa

Roberta N. Haar

Professor of Foreign Policy Analysis and Transatlantic Relations, Maastricht University; and Research Director, University College Maastricht   

Beatriz Becerra

Former MEP & Vice-Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament 

Luc Hindryckx

Director General, ecta

Shada Islam

Founder, New Horizons Project 

Cristina Vaz Tomé

Member of Executive Committee, Impresa Group; Board Member, EGTA (Association of TV & Radio Saleshouses)

Cláudia Cavadas

Vice Rector for Research, University of Coimbra

Diogo Madeira da Silva

Head of Public Affairs & Communications, HUAWEI Portugal   

Sandra Ribeiro

President, Portuguese Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality – under the coordination of the Secretary of State of Citizenship and Equality / Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Roberta Cianetti

Social Media Director, Condé Nast Italia

Luísa Ribeiro Lopes

Chairman of the Board of Directors, .PT; General Coordinator, INCoDe.2030

Anett Numa

Digital Transformation Adviser, e-Estonia

Pedro Santa-Clara

Professor of Finance, Nova School of Business and Economics
Director, 42 Lisboa 

Magid Magid

Founder & Director, Union of Justice; former MEP & Mayor of Sheffield; named one of TIME’s 100 rising stars shaping the future of the world

Monica Carcò

International Development and Gender Expert  

Inês Mendes da Silva

CEO & Executive Director, Notable.

Hosuk Lee-Makiyama

Director of ECIPE (European Centre for International Political Economy)

Sabina Ciofu

Head of EU and Trade Policy, TechUK  

Dora Palfi

Co-Founder & CEO, imagiLabs

Belinda Parmar OBE

Diversity & transformation expert, author and corporate activist   

Nuno Machado Lopes

Singularity University Faculty, ExO Consultant & Trainer   

Rui Aguiar

Professor, Universidade de Aveiro; Head of Networks & Services, Instituto de Telecomunicações; Lab Director, 5GAINER

Carla Van Stralen

Founder, The Women's Leadership Program 

Naomi Saelens

Executive Coach, The Women's Leadership Program

Claudia de Castro Caldeirinha

Senior Leadership and Gender Equality Specialist

Gunta Sloga

Executive Director, Baltic Centre for Media Excellence 

Majka Lipiak

CEO, ‘Work from Bed’ Social Enterprise

Luisa Baldini

Co-Founder, Composure Media

Manuela Prina

Head of the Skills Identification and Development Unit, European Training Foundation (ETF)

Participating in the "Generative AI: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead" panel at the European Leadership Academy was a truly transformative experience. Meeting 29 incredible young women from diverse backgrounds was both humbling and inspiring. The Academy showed me firsthand the immense impact that can be achieved when young women are given the right opportunities and a platform to grow. I left the Academy feeling more empowered and optimistic than ever.

Maro Manoli

CEO & Co-Founder, E-mbracelet

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It may sound cliché, but the best part of the European Leadership Academy were the caring and passionate people who contributed to it, after the end of the European Leadership Academy, I now feel the most confident and passionate that I have ever been. Importantly, the program was completely free of charge, as an ambitious young woman whose family has always struggled financially, the European Leadership academy was a dream come true in many ways.

Veronika Anna Denner

Student. Represented Austria at the 2024 Summer School in Warsaw

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This transformative journey has prepared me for anything life may throw my way. What touched me most was the opportunity to connect with girls who, like me, share the same dreams yet are wonderfully diverse. They truly inspired me in countless ways. I learned so much about myself throughout this process; the school has impacted every facet of my identity, teaching me self-confidence and the imporance of colaborartions with others.

Lara Markelj

Student. Represented Slovenia at the 2024 Summer School in Warsaw

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I knew that the Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age was going to be an incredible experience but I didn't expect it to be life-changing! With a jam-packed week full of both interesting and challenging discussions, panels, masterclasses & workshops, I left each day feeling inspired and invigorated. I would encourage any young woman interested to apply regardless of your background and experiences - the European Leadership Academy provides an environment for all young women to thrive in.

Amy Calleja

Student. Represented Malta at the 2022 Summer School in Prague

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Sisterhood, support and inspiration are just some of the aspects that we have experienced! The European Leadership Academy is an exceptional and priceless program which opened our horizons for the future. For me, one of the best characteristics of the program was its holistic approach. The range of speakers and experts was extraordinary just as their kindness and openness to answer our questions and connect with us.

Katharina Hertel

Student. Represented Germany at the 2022 Summer School in Prague

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