The 11th Edition of the Women Talent Pool (WTP) programme started off with the first workshop on “Networking Skills for Impact” led by WIL Member Despina Anastasiou, Former Global Business Development Director – Corporate Strategy at Dow. Returning for the sixth year, Despina drew on her 30-year wealth of industry experience and encouraged our Talents to develop a strategic and purposeful approach to networking and building professional connections. Talents also had the opportunity to reflect on their own interpersonal skills and engage directly with Despina in a lively Q&A session. 

On the 3rd of March, WIL Europe officially launched the 11th edition of Women Talent Pool (WTP) leadership programme, with a special kick-off event. This year’s programme, under the patronage of EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy - Jessika Roswall, welcomes 61 women from 22 countries across 14 organisations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. 

The event was also joined by three prominent speakers from the WIL community, including WIL President Thaima Samman, WIL Board Member Paulina Dejmek-Hack, Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Jessika Roswall, and WTP10 Fellow Hana Akaike, Senior Associate at Osborne Clarke.

For the final session of the 10th Women Talent Pool Programme, WIL Europe hosted the second workshop of the module on Developing Your Leadership Potential led by WIL Board Member Marina Niforos, President of Climate Governance Initiative Greece and former Affiliate Professor at HEC Business School. Marina led a lively discussion with real-life testimonials and interactive break-out sessions with Talents to examine how their perspectives and professional development have evolved.

The session was a timely opportunity for Talents to reflect upon key frameworks of situational leadership and look back on their WTP journey.

As part of the Women Talent Pool Programme, WIL Europe hosted a workshop on Balancing Risk and Opportunity led by Eléna Fourès, Founder & President of IDEM PER IDEM Consulting. The session explored key concepts for risk analysis and management, and exercising leadership with confidence to leverage professional opportunities. With over 30 years of experience in executive coaching, Eléna emphasised the importance of recognising and overcoming mental barriers in decision-making and risk management, and provided Talents with practical skills to advance their career.

As part of the Women Talent Pool Programme, Talents took part in an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with WIL Member Isabella De Michelis di Slonghello, CEO and Founder of Ernieapp Ltd and High Pulse GmbH, and Non-Executive Board Member at doValue S.p.A., creating an open space for candid dialogue with a leader bringing extensive cross-sector experience. Moderated by WTP Talent Laura Valojärvi, Learning and Development Manager at Konecranes, the session encouraged honest exchange on leadership choices, challenges, and career transitions. By sharing real-life insights and reflections, the conversation reinforced the value of authentic role models and left Talents with practical perspectives and renewed confidence to shape their own leadership journeys.

As part of the Women Talent Pool Programme, WIL Member Cristiana Falcone led a workshop on personal branding, inviting participants to explore how their values, strengths, and leadership identity shape the foundation of their professional presence. The session highlighted how clarity on one’s personal brand can deepen credibility, strengthen purpose, and support a more consistent and authentic leadership style. By reflecting on their leadership signature and engaging in practical exercises such as designing their own “leadership kite,” participants examined how greater self-awareness can guide meaningful impact and more intentional career choices.

On Thursday, 2nd October 2025, WIL Secretary General, Head of the Unit Product Safety and Rapid Alert System at the European Commission, and Ambassador of Applied Compassion, Pinuccia Contino, led the second session of the module “Leading with Wholeness and Purpose”. The session highlighted how compassion and self-compassion can strengthen resilience, deepen empathy, and foster purposeful leadership. By reflecting on their values and motivations, participants explored how authentic leadership arises from shared humanity and a clear sense of purpose.

"Building Your Executive Presence” workshop took place on 25 September, 2025. It was led by WIL Vice President Nathalie Wright, Non-Executive Board Member of Keolis, Quadient, and Amundi, and former Chief Sustainability and Digital Officer, who brings extensive experience from senior executive leadership roles. The session brought together reflection exercises, group discussions, and strategies aimed at reinforcing leadership presence. Participants explored common challenges, and focused on communicating with clarity, enhancing professional influence, and expanding visibility while maintaining authenticity and impact.

The first of two workshops on "Leading with Wholeness and Purpose" took place on September 15, 2025. It was led by WIL Secretary General Pinuccia Contino, Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of Unit 'Product Safety and Rapid Alert System' at the European Commission, and Ambassador of Applied Compassion. The interactive session combined practical exercises, reflection, and group discussions, guiding Talents to connect with their emotions, embrace their full selves, and explore purposeful leadership through mindfulness and self-compassion techniques.

On 24 June 2025, WIL Europe held a workshop on Building Your Leadership Identity and Personal Brand as part of the WTP Leadership Programme. The session was led by Catherine Ladousse, President of the Parity Commission at the French High Council for Equality between Women and Men, and Co-founder & Honorary President of Cercle InterElles - a senior leader who guided participants into articulating their personal leadership style, clarifying their brand in line with their objectives, and communicating it with impact across professional and personal settings.