On May 7, 2024, the Corporate Governance Professional Association (CGPA) held a webinar on “Inclusive Leadership for Business Development”. Participants had the opportunity to hear the expert opinion of Nina Dombrovska, former President of Henkel Ukraine and co-founder and co-president of Women on Boards Ukraine.

Ms. Dombrovska gained practical experience in applying inclusive leadership during her tenure at Henkel Ukraine. She completed specialized training from the International Finance Corporation on “Inclusive Leadership for Sustainable Business Development.” This training is part of the IFC Program “Promoting Investment through Integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards in Europe and Central Asia,” implemented in partnership with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO). The Program aims to encourage and assist companies in adopting best practices in corporate governance, thereby enhancing their ability to attract sustainable investments.

Yulia Kholodkova, an IFC ESG expert and coordinator of the IFC ECA ESG Program in Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed the webinar participants. Ms. Kholodkova emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership, diversity, and particularly the role of women in corporate leadership for sustainable and successful business development.

The event began with a discussion on whether inclusivity in business is merely a trend in corporate governance or genuinely impacts company efficiency and profitability. Important aspects of inclusive leadership were also explored, including the concepts of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), psychological safety, and the benefits of adhering to DEI principles. Additionally, unconscious biases and stereotypes that hinder inclusivity were thoroughly examined. Participants had the opportunity to learn how inclusive leadership influences company development and transform management concepts in the 21st century.

The webinar also addressed the role of women in management and their impact on diversity within organisations. Research and statistical data demonstrated that the participation of women in management decisions significantly positively affects enterprise performance.

A practical component of the webinar allowed each participant to assess the level of inclusivity in their leadership through an online questionnaire, gaining insights into their company’s current state and identifying potential areas for improvement. After reviewing the results, Ms. Dombrovska emphasized the importance of consciousness and professionalism in leadership, highlighting that inclusive leadership is key to innovation and growth in modern business.

In conclusion, Oleksandr Okuniev, Chairman of the CGPA Board of Directors, noted the necessity of adopting and implementing new management approaches in Ukrainian companies. He stressed that if Ukrainian entrepreneurs, managers, and business owners aspire to sustainable business practices, international market entry, and partnerships with leading companies in the world’s most developed economies, they must embrace these changes.

The webinar “Inclusive Leadership for Business Development” became a significant event for all those seeking to understand and implement modern leadership principles in their professional lives.