BKR International is pleased to share that the first Women in Leadership (WIL) global community meetings have taken place, marking the official launch of this new initiative across the association.
More than 60 women from across BKR’s regions joined two virtual sessions on the same day, enabling participation from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The strong attendance reflects the enthusiasm across the membership for meaningful connection, mentoring and shared professional development – highlighting how valuable a dedicated space for women across BKR will be, as this initiative continues to grow.
During the meeting, attendees were introduced to the progress made so far in shaping the Women in Leadership programme. This included an overview of the recently completed global survey, which has provided valuable insight into the areas of development and the types of support women across BKR would find most useful. Participants also saw the first version of the new mentoring platform, designed to help members connect as mentors and mentees, as well as the private community page, which will serve as the central hub for updates, discussions and shared resources. The newly developed Women in Leadership Handbook was also introduced is now available on the community page.
Emma Barry, BKR’s EMEA Regional Director and a key supporter of the initiative, shared her reflections:
“It was great to see women from different regions and career stages come together for this first step. The aim of Women in Leadership is to create space for connection, mentoring and development across borders. It is exciting to see the community beginning to take shape, and I look forward to supporting its growth in the year ahead.”
These first meetings represent the beginning of a global community focused on strengthening leadership pathways and increasing visibility and support for women across BKR. Alongside the mentoring programme, the initiative will create opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and continued engagement throughout the year.
The next stage will be the release of the mentoring platform, allowing members to create profiles and explore mentoring opportunities. Additional sessions and community activities are planned for 2026 as the programme continues to evolve.
A big thank you to all who attended and contributed to this first set of community meetings.
