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Bridget Cosgrave

President & Founder, Every European Digital; Digital Transport and Logistics Forum Expert, EU Commission; former Director-General, Digital Europe

Bridget Cosgrave is an accomplished CEO and Non-Executive Director in the Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT) Sector. She is currently active as public affairs advisor to SOPRA STERIA www.soprasteria.com the leading EU digital transformation company, and PAT www.pat.edu.eu an Irish edtech leader. Ms Cosgrave is an independent non-executive director of SINCH AB, www.sinch.com the global CPAAS company, listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. Ms Cosgrave holds an MBA from London Business School (UK),  a MSc Master of Science, Maritime Law and Policy from the World Maritime University (SE), and a BA Hons, History/Econ. from Queen's University, Canada.  

Bridget Cosgrave entered the telecommunications industry in 1993 in corporate development at BT plc, creating green-field fixed line service providers in multiple EMEA countries. She rose to the Executive Committee of BELGACOM SA the EURONEXT BEL20 leading market cap. now branded PROXIMUS www.proximus.com, 2001-07.  Her prior board mandates include SES S.A. www.ses.com, the global satellite operator, EUSKATEL www.euskaltel.com, EUTELSAT www.eutelsat.com, ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL www.essilor.com STERIA www.soprasteria.com and BELGACOM Group companies BICS, PROXIMUS and TELINDUS.  Bridget pivoted to digital transport and logistics in 2014, as CEO advisor at INTTRA www.inttra.com the global container shipping e-commerce platform and VISMA CONSULTING www.visma.com the world leader of maritime IT solutions.

Ms Cosgrave has a deep understanding of digital economy public policy.  From 1996-2001, Bridget served as the elected Deputy Director General of ETSI the EUROPEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS INSTITUTE, www.etsi.org, the official EU and globally recognised standards body for telecoms, broadcasting and satellite. She subsequently served as Director General of DIGITAL EUROPE www.digitaleurope.org the leading EU trade association for the TMT sector 2009-11.  Bridget is a member of the EC HLEG Digital Transport and Logistics Forum www.dtlf.eu.

Bridget started her career in corporate finance with ELDERS IXL, a global holding company active in brewing, natural resource, financial services and private equity, followed by FINANCIERE INDOSUEZ, the French investment bank in London and Paris.

A native of Toronto, Canada, after serving beers to Inuit in the Canadian Arctic and living as the only ‘gaijin’ in a Japanese company dormitory in Nagoya, armed with an Irish passport and fluent French, Bridget relocated to Europe in 1986, where she has been living and working focused on the EMEA region ever since.

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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