COVER TOPIC: TRUTH > EVENT REVIEW & PREVIEW
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THE PWN VIENNA NEWSLETTER AUTUMN/WINTER 2017/18 > COVER TOPIC: TRUTH > EVENT REVIEW & PREVIEW > NETWORK NEWS © Illustration by Evi Psaltidi PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK www.pwnvienna.net AUTUMN/WINTER 2017/18 | 1 _contents _letter from the editor Andrea Balcar Newsletter Editor Tina Feiertag Newsletter Designer [email protected] Letter from the Editor 3 Message from the Co-Presidents 4 Dear Readers, Steering Committee 6 Welcome to the issue! We all seek sanctuaries, places that offer discussion and NETWORKING NEWS room to grow. PWN Vienna is one such place. In my years Announcments 7 The writer Ayn Rand once said “The truth is not for all as a member, I have always felt welcome and accepted. I Mentoring Programme: We Rise by Lifting Others 10 men, but only for those who seek it.” In our current have met amazing women who inspired and energised me. Career Club: Communication Challenges 12 political and social climate, whether in Europe or across In turn, I have been able to inspire others to share their Social Event: Shirley Valentine 14 the big pond, it may seem that instead of actively seeking life experiences with you. Over the course of five years, Event Reviews 16 the truth, many people have decided to let “alternative the topics presented here have provided a “red thread” of facts” rule their thinking. Rather than listening to and issues that every woman and man must address in their honing their inner voice and letting their inner (moral) lives, whether it concerns finding their passion, dealing LEADERSHIP compass guide their decisions, they choose to follow lead- with adversity or developing the (self-)confidence neces- Unlock the Potential Power of Female Leadership 23 ers whose fast talk and posturing (at best) hides hollow sary to follow one's dreams. I have been supported in this phrases and empty promises, or (at worst) whose only by the PWN Vienna Presidents and all Steering Committee COVER TOPIC true aim is to create turmoil and social discord to suit members; numerous wonderful contributors (thank you Truth by Evi Psaltidi 24 their agenda. so much, ladies!); and throughout, by long-time cover When Choices Become Chances 24 artist Evi Psaltidi as well as my friend the graphic design The Story of My Truth 26 At the time I chose the topic of “truth” for this issue maven, Tina Feiertag, my trusted “co-pilot” for each and of CONNECT, I didn't know how timely this theme would every issue. It was an honour and a pleasure working with prove to be from a socio-political point of view. I also you! Special thanks also to Georgina Leaf in New York, didn't foresee that in the months leading up to the pub- who kindly took over proofreading this issue. Thank you lication of this issue, I would come to realise that so as to all very much! stay true to, as well as take care of, myself, I would need to slow down and make more room for stillness in my life. As you read this, the new year is still fresh and offers That is why, after a much deliberation, I have decided to hope and new perspectives. In your endeavours let your- step down as editor of CONNECT. self be guided by Albert Schweitzer who wrote, “Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now – always, and In this, my final Letter from the Editor, I would like to indeed then most truly when it seems most unsuitable to say “thank you” to you, the readers, for your interest and actual circumstances.” appreciation. Enjoy the issue! 'till we meet again, Andrea Balcar Imprint © Copyright 2018 / All rights reserved / Publisher: PWN Vienna, www.pwnvienna.net / Editing: Georgina Leaf / Graphic Design: Tina Feiertag / This edition’s contributors: Andrea Balcar / Simona Rusu-Breschia / Gisela Ebermayer-Minich / Lisa Christandl / Katja Otter / Evi Psaltidi / Elena Padurario / Tanja Ristovsky / Karin Schreiner / Please note that the views expressed by the authors are personal and do not necessarily represent the views of PWN Vienna. PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK www.pwnvienna.net AUTUMN/WINTER 2017/18 | 3 _message from the co-presidents _message from the co-presidents Giseal Ebermayer-Minich and Simona Rusu-Beschia Co-Presidents [email protected] Dear PWN Vienna Community, The release of this issue of Connect Magazine is fortunately Robert Baker, the current Co-President of PWN Global, who par- happening at the start of the year, an opportunity to send our ticipated in a panel discussion on Gender Balanced Leadership at Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2018 to you and yours. our General Meeting in June of last year, is an example of how We appreciate the time you spent in supporting our network men can become real ambassadors of Feminism. He is convinced and look forward to your continued support in the future. It has that women can lead gracefully with more empathy, intuition been a pleasure getting to know so many of you! and can even show vulnerability. Simona Rusu-Beschia (left) While reflecting on the past year and reviewing a few milestones Equality between men and women in decision-making positions and Giseal Ebermayer- and successes we are also thinking ahead to the new year. is essential for our global network. Our very recent implication Minich in the PWN Global Balanced Boards project is an illustration of (right) at the PWN Annual Meeting in Oslo, Norway We hope that PWN has been helpful to you by providing tools how we are trying to increase our global presence and help our in September 2017 to build new skills, expanding your network, making friends, network move forward. encouraging your creativity and initiative and even discovering your hidden talents! As you know, tapping into your full poten- We would also like to take this opportunity to again thank the tial can help you in every aspect of life and business. Whether entire Steering Committee for their support and for all the hard you are searching for the perfect type of business or looking for work in the past year. It has been a pleasure working with each ways to grow the one you have, you may find the answer in your and every one of you. A special thanks to those who helped own personal talents. And we think we have the perfect program navigate our way smoothly through a period of change. to help you discover “the gems” inside yourself, so they do not go unnoticed and untapped. Our Group Mentoring Programme It is the very nature of our organization that volunteerism is reached new heights of success over the past months. We are so transitory. But as leaders, sometimes the feeling is that just pleased with the great turnout for the Mentoring Programme! when we “get the hang of it” we have to leave. Mentors and Mentees came together in that powerful way that women connect with each other to discover a bigger picture and As our term is winding down, we want to pass the gavel to the realize how much more is out there. new team of Co-Presidents and we do so with great confidence because, with the support of our Advisory Board, for the first And there is even more to come: a team of PWN members from time at PWN Vienna, the changing of the guard will be accom- across all city networks is looking at how to jumpstart an Inter- panied by a “job shadowing process”. We salute the initiative of national Virtual Mentoring Programme for Senior Leaders! Our the Advisory Board! We hope this is the start of a new culture colleagues at PWN Warsaw are putting in an incredible amount of succession at PWN Vienna! of work to create a mentoring online platform. How great to be Global! So much more opportunity! The new team of Co-Presidents will start their two-year term in June 2018. If knowledge is power, this process will allow us an Our last year global offsite in Oslo was a unique opportunity effective transfer of knowledge to pave the way for a smooth of intense exchange, enthusiastic brainstorming and a truly leadership transition. productive time together while discussing the future direction of our network. Our colleagues at PWN Norway gave us a very warm In closing, we look forward to working with you in the coming welcome, we worked hard and we had lots of fun too! months and keep doing together good things for our network! And, always worth reminding, here is PWN mantra: The Vision Statement of our global network is To Accelerate the Connect, share, learn, advance – yourself and the world! Current Pace of Change towards Gender Balance Leadership. The Vision Statement has struck a responsive chord with all city net- Sincerely, works. Our movement strives to reinvent leadership to be more Simona Beschia and Gisela Ebermayer Minich inclusive, responsible and united. There is still a long way to go PWN Vienna Co-Presidents towards women “being heard”. PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK www.pwnvienna.net AUTUMN/WINTER 2017/18 | 4 PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK www.pwnvienna.net AUTUMN/WINTER 2017/18 | 5 _steering committee _announcements Andrea Balcar, Newsletter Editor Membership Development Mentoring Programme Social Events Social Media Treasurers Andrea, your dedication throughout many years, stands out as a proof of loyal commitment to Elena Stefanova Lisa Christandl, Serena Giacomin Fabiana Thomé Simona Ciucur Biljana Taneska Karin Fleck Ludmila Le Gohebel Katarina Rusova (Volunteer) Lenka Möller PWN Vienna and passion for your work as Editor in Chief at Connect Magazine. You inspired Sophia Zaravella Elena Padurariu [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] us all with your beautiful lines, while reading your Editorials.