The European Businesswomen’s Federation – PEFA brings the role of women in the economy and leadership to the forefront by launching the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index, a comprehensive analysis that highlights the evolution of women’s participation in the economic environment and in decision-making processes. The event will take place on March 11, 2026, starting at 10:00, within the Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest, organized by ICI Bucharest, at the Palace of Parliament.
The index provides an x-ray of women’s contribution to Romania’s economic and social development, highlighting both the progress made and the barriers that continue to limit women’s access to entrepreneurship and leadership positions. Through this initiative, PEFA aims to stimulate dialogue between institutions, the business environment and civil society and to support public policies and concrete measures that support the increase in women’s participation in economic development and decision-making.
Andreea Negru, President of PEFA, said: “The Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index is not just a statistical exercise, but a strategic tool that highlights an economic potential that is still insufficiently exploited. The macroeconomic analysis integrated within the Index highlights real growth opportunities, generated by a wider participation of women in decision-making processes. The data confirms that where women are actively involved, organizational performance improves and economic sustainability becomes more solid. Through this approach, we aim to shift the focus from a simple discussion about equal opportunities to the concrete exploitation of this potential, as a driver of competitiveness and economic development.”
Lorena Stoian, First Vice President of PEFA, said: “Women in Romania are not only building businesses, they are changing mindsets and paving the way for generations to come. Behind every percent of the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index is a woman who had the courage to start, even when no one guaranteed her success. Today, female entrepreneurship means independence, vision and the desire to build projects with meaning and long-term impact. Almost 9 out of 10 women believe in the future of female entrepreneurship in Romania, and this confidence contributes significantly to economic development and societal transformation.”
Victor Vevera, General Manager of ICI Bucharest, highlighted the relevance of integrating the theme of female leadership in the context of digital transformation: “Digital transformation and innovation cannot be complete without the active participation of women in the technological ecosystem and in decision-making processes. We support initiatives that bring concrete data and applicable solutions to increase inclusion and strengthen Romania’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy.”
The event brings together representatives of public administration, the business environment, the financial sector and civil society, strengthening the dialogue between relevant actors to create an ecosystem favorable to the development of entrepreneurship.
The Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index is produced with the support of BCR, as the main partner, Pluxee Romania and Garanti BBVA Romania, as partners. The Index is launched with the support of CEC Bank and Electrica. Institutional partners: ICI Bucharest, Department for Sustainable Development, IMM Romania, Consilium Policy Advisors Group, CURS Foundation and Association for the Development of Indigenous Entrepreneurship ADAA.
Media partners: Antena 3 CNN, Canal 33, Agepres, Financial Intelligence, Club Economic, Economistul, Transilvania Business, Ziarul Bursa, I AM News, Stiripesurse.ro, InvesTenergy, The Diplomat, EM360, Clubantreprenor.ro, Focus Energetic, Money.ro, Energy Industry Review, News One, V4 Media, Grupul Iubim Brasovul. Press monitoring partner: Klarmedia.
By launching this Index at the Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest, organized by ICI Bucharest, PEFA reaffirms its commitment to supporting digital transformation, innovation and inclusion as essential pillars of modern economic development.
Event Agenda
Official Opening – Presentation of the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index
- Andreea Negru – PEFA President
- Lorena Stoian – PEFA First Vice President
Speakers:
- Anca Dragu – Governor of the National Bank of Moldova
- Radu Oprea – Secretary General of the Government
- Laszlo Borbely – State Counselor, Department for Sustainable Development
- Victor Vevera – Director of ICI Bucharest
- Eduard Bachide – State Secretary, Ministry of National Defense
- Sterica Fudulea – President of the Economic and Social Council
- Dana Dima – VP Retail & Private Banking, Banca Comercială Română
- Eugenia Deaconu – Legal Director, Compliance & Public Affairs, Pluxee Romania
- Mihnea Costoiu – Rector, Politehnica University of Bucharest
- Virginia Oțel – Corporate Communications Director GARANTI BBVA Romania
- Răzvan Burleanu-President of the Romanian Football Federation
- Mirela Iovu- Vice President of CEC Bank
- Carolina Bugaian- President of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova
- Alexandru Chiriță- General Manager of Electrica
- Stela Recean- Vice President of maib, Republic of Moldova
- Claudia Nicolae – General Manager of Agerpres
- Andreea Domșa- Project Coordination Director CURS