Future of leadership: Equality in the focus of the Vienna conference

Future of leadership: Equality in the focus of the Vienna conference

On November 11, 2025, entrepreneurs, investors and leaders gathered in the stylish ambience of The Hoxton Vienna for the pre-dinner of the Future of LeadHERship conference. This event has made a name for itself when it comes to the topics of equality and modern leadership. The evening was organized by Vada Prosquill, the founder of the female business club Leaders in Heels. She opened the event with a captivating speech and emphasized the need for a common understanding of lived equality in the world of work. Among the guests were not only greats such as fashion designer Marina Hoermanseder and investor Ben Ruschin, but also Eugen Prosquill, CEO of Warda Network GmbH, who provided exciting insights into the marketing trends for 2026.

The main message of the evening event is clear: In order to effectively advance equality, not only words are required, but also actions. Monika Sternathova from Erste Group highlighted the importance of financial education, which is considered the key to women's empowerment. An aspect that appeals to many, because despite all the progress in recent years, the proportion of women in management positions is still low. According to the latest reports, women continue to be outnumbered in leadership roles compared to their male counterparts. This shows that the path to true equality is far from complete, as WHU explains.

Challenges and opportunities

The challenge is to get more women into senior positions and keep them there. Recent studies, including those by Prof. Dr. Fabiola H. Gerpott and her colleagues show that specific HR measures are necessary to support women in leadership roles. This is not just about increasing the number of employees, but rather about creating framework conditions that encourage women to take on responsibility and remain so.

The study distinguishes between gender-neutral and gender-specific measures. Gender-neutral approaches, such as transparent recruiting processes and anonymous application procedures, aim to create equal opportunities for all employees. On the other hand, gender-specific measures, such as mentoring programs for women or special support programs, are essential to address the special challenges and needs of women in the working environment.

Legal framework

An important step towards equality was taken by the Leadership Positions Act (FüPoG) and its amendment FüPoG II, which regulated corresponding quotas. These laws came into force in 2015 and 2021 respectively and apply to both the private and public sectors. In recent years, the proportion of women at management levels has increased thanks to such measures. The law stipulates, among other things, that listed companies must ensure a minimum proportion of 30% women on supervisory boards in order to promote an open and fair working environment, which BMBFSFJ certifies.

These developments and the narrowing gender gap in leadership positions are a positive sign, but implementation and commitment within companies are crucial. The Future of LeadHERship conference once again highlighted how important it is to stay focused on these issues and work together towards a future in which equality is not just an empty phrase, but becomes a reality.