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Kim Poldner

Professor of Circular Business, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Kim Poldner (1978) is Professor Circular Business at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and is affiliated with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands where she founded the Circular Fashion Lab and developed the MOOC ‘Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry’ https://www.edx.org/course/circular-fashion-in-a-sustainable-clothingindustry.
Professor Poldner graduated at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland: for her PhD project she longitudinally studied 58 sustainable entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. She initiated and organized the first edition of Un-Dress in 2012, named after her PhD dissertation: ‘Un-Dress – Stories of Ethical Fashion Entrepreneuring’. Her research interests evolve at the crossroads of entrepreneurship, aesthetics and sustainability and she has written award winning case studies on sustainable fashion pioneers such as Veja and Osklen. She publishes in journals such as Organization, Journal of Business Venturing, Organization Studies, Organization & Environment, Business & Society and Journal of Cleaner Production. Before she embarked on an academic career, Professor Poldner was founder of the first eco fashion store in The Netherlands in 2005 and initiator of online platform ‘Eco Fashion World’. Her green wardrobe, including her up cycled wedding dress, was exhibited during the exhibition ‘Wear I Am’ in 2017.

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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