Female networking can have different dimensions.

When I joined POLin e.V. in Berlin 10 years ago, I immediately felt at home. Professionally fulfilled, I was looking for a place where I could be myself – Kasia, a woman, Polish – connect with others on a different basis and live out what makes me who I am. I heard about this association because it was organising the conference “Polish, European, Entrepreneur” to celebrate its 10th anniversary. I remember thinking: “What a great event, I hope there will be another conference where I can actively participate”.

After moving to Switzerland in 2012, I looked for a similar environment and found OWIT Lake Geneva, an association that helped me find my place in Swiss society.

We support each other in our professional development and exchange information on current issues that are important to us at work, but also as women.

Last Thursday, I acted as a bridge between these two dimensions.

I had the honour of moderating three panel discussions at the conference “Polish, European, Entrepreneur” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of POLin e.V. We invited various associations and institutions (MOD-ELLE, Berlin Senate for Integration and Migration) and several women from industry and the public sector to discuss gender equality at work, women in the C-suite, work-life balance, gender stereotypes that influence career aspirations and what it means to be a female entrepreneur and leader.

I’d like to thank my amazing panelists for sharing their experiences and reflections on who we are and how we can shape our roles as women, mothers, managers and business leaders. I am very lucky to have a very supportive and emotionally intelligent husband who knows that a fulfilled partnership means that we are both happy in our roles at work and at home.