Meet this year’s shortlist of inspirational women shaping the future of business education at institutions and organisations around the world

Women make up only 32 percent of senior leadership positions, despite accounting for half of the workforce worldwide, according to recent research from the World Economic Forum. Whilst this number is certainly higher than it has been, there is still a long way to go before we accomplish gender parity in the workplace – business is still very much a man’s world.

And, yet the evidence (and there is a LOT of it) is clear: female leadership brings significant benefits to businesses.

A study from Durham University Business School found that female CEOs tend to be more debt-averse than their male counterparts. Research from ESMT Berlin suggests that women are also more likely to build stronger networks using mutual connections, than men, who instead tend to rely on face-to-face connections to build their networks. 

Meanwhile a study from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) reveals that female CEOs are less likely to show overconfidence in their abilities- important, the study says, because overconfident CEOs maintain a dangerously optimistic outlook on their company’s financial performance and take less notice of negative feedback.   

Whilst women may prove to be a safer pair of hands when it comes to leadership, or be more approachable figures for colleagues to work with, the fact is that far too few manage to secure leadership roles – despite being more than qualified to take them on. Whether facing gender-based bias during hiring, or even removing themselves from the running when it comes to promotions the overall result is the same – companies are missing out on maximising the talents of their female staff.

So as we navigate through 2025, what needs to change in order for women to finally occupy an equal share of the c-suite? For inspiration, we turned to the women in charge of training the next generation of business leaders, and the institutions that shape them.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we spoke to 20 deans, faculty experts, VPs and Directors working in global business education to find out more about their leadership journeys, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, the support they’ve received and provided to others, what inspires them in their role, and what advice they have for other women looking to gain the next step on the ladder.

They offered some fantastic insights… 

Ask for advice – but you don’t have to follow it all 

The subject of receiving and following advice, Ha Hoang, Associate Dean for Research at ESSEC Business School, encourages aspiring leaders to be open to advice, but selective about the advice they follow.  

“The goal is to get to a place where you are clear on what advice you won’t follow, as well as what advice you will follow,” says Professor Hoang, “Similarly, when I give advice, I try to remind myself that it is up to them to apply it if they so choose.” 

Ask for help and build a community  

No man (or woman) is an island, so the saying goes, and even the most accomplished leaders stress the importance of building a community. 

For Vanessa Balouzet, Chief Growth Officer at EHL Hospitality Business School, one of the biggest challenges she faced was balancing a demanding role at work with her personal life. 

“I learned to ask for help, share the workload with my husband and surround myself with a community of friends supporting each other: a ‘women community’. I know I can always count on someone, and I am always here to support my friends. So I never feel that I have to do this alone. We always say, ‘It takes a village to educate a child’.” 

She also emphasises the importance of communication and self-compassion. “I learned how to be direct with my managers on my needs for flexibility to be able to manage all priorities and to be a mastermind for the logistics. Every week is a puzzle to solve. And I learned to forgive myself when things are not going exactly the way I wanted to. Next time will be an opportunity to do better.” 

She adds, “I also think it is very important, for women especially, to believe in themselves, to have the confidence to dare, to take some risks, to be a candidate for a promotion. And it is possible to pursue a great career without sacrificing our other passions in life. It even makes us better as we have multiple interests.” 

Let go of trying to please everyone 

Leadership isn’t about perfectly fitting in – it’s about bridging gaps, staying open to learning, and bringing people together through shared purpose, says Priya Kannan, Dean of Lucas College & Graduate School of Business at San Jose State University. 

For Kannan, the greatest challenge wasn’t cultural, she tells us. It was learning to let go of the need to make everyone happy.  

“Many of us are raised to seek approval, to keep the peace, and to measure success by how well we meet others’ expectations. I had to unlearn that. True leadership isn’t about avoiding discomfort-it’s about making the right decisions, even when they are tough,” she says. “For years, I thought being “nice” meant compromising to keep the peace. Now, I know that real impact comes from being real and kind.”  

To Dr Kennan, being real means standing firm in my values and making decisions that elevate her college and students, whereas being kind means leading with empathy while pushing for excellence.  

“My purpose isn’t to please everyone,” she states. “It’s to create opportunities where few existed, to inspire the next generation to dream bigger than they ever thought possible, to help our it’s to elevate our institution to be the best version of itself and to empower those around me to do the same.”  

Break out of your comfort zone 

Learning to break out of your comfort zone is an important lesson that’s essential for professionals to reach the next stage of their career. The most successful professionals embrace uncertainty, take risks, and remain open to change. 

Kathy Harvey, Associate Dean Global Networks and Innovation at Saïd Business School, says there’s no right way to walk your career path. “We will all be working for most of our lives so be prepared to experiment and change careers if you want to. It may mean more training and a change of identity, but learning is always worth it,” she says. 

When Harvey’s children were young, she and her partner decided one of them needed a more flexible work arrangement. She volunteered, but the transition from employee to consultant was more challenging than she expected.  

“I learned that professional identity is far more important to me than I realised, but also only ever part of who you are,” she said. “One day some freelance work led to the offer of a large executive training contract, and the establishment of my own company which ran successfully for almost a decade. Taking a back seat in my career had, inadvertently, launched my second career. Now my partner has taken on a more flexible role to support me.” 

Federica Pazzaglia, Professor of Management and Associate Dean and Director of UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School at UCD College of Business advises aspiring leaders to welcome challenges. 

“Be curious, embrace challenges, and never shy away from opportunities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone,” she says. “Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career came from saying yes to things that felt uncertain or difficult at first. Growth happens when we push ourselves to take on new perspectives, new roles, and new ways of thinking.  

Professor Pazzaglia emphasises the importance in surrounding yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.  

“Careers are not built in isolation – seek out mentors, peers, and colleagues who will support you but also push you to think differently and aim higher. At the same time, be that person for others. Success is not just about personal achievement; it’s about contributing to your community, sharing knowledge, and helping others grow,” she shares. 

She adds, “Resilience and adaptability matter just as much as skills and expertise. Every career will have setbacks, unexpected turns, and moments of doubt. These are learning experiences, not roadblocks. The ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence and curiosity will not only help you succeed but will also make the journey more fulfilling.” 

Be your authentic self  

Olayinka David-West, the Dean of Lagos Business School, has built a career that spans industry, academia to administration. The journey has been challenging, but she has embraced each transition with confidence. 

Throughout it all, the most profound lesson she has learned is the importance of authenticity.  

“Embracing my true self has shaped my leadership style and fostered meaningful connections with colleagues and students alike,” she says.  

Her advice to others? “Be authentic; don’t compromise your morals and beliefs. Let them reflect your attitudes and behaviours.” 

Nalisha Patel, the Regional Director of Americas and Europe for GMAC, echoes this. She believes success is deeply personal and comes from building meaningful connections rather than transactional relationships. 

“People respond to authenticity,” she says. “So be yourself, engage genuinely, and remember that everyone, no matter their title, is human.” 

Find your purpose 

For the past 30 years, Dr Sam Giove has dedicated her career to higher education. As Director of Sheffield Business School, she has faced significant challenges but has never lost sight of the bigger picture and why she continues to work in higher education. 

Dr Giove’s career has not only motivated and fulfilled her, it has allowed her to support others to be the best versions of themselves.  

The piece of advice she’d offer to others to succeed in their careers is: “find your purpose and be clear about the impact you want your leadership to have and the difference you want to make.”  

She also highlights the importance of recognising your influence on others. “Don’t underestimate the power you have in your hands to impact the advancement of others: students, businesses and society,” she shares. “You’ll need to demonstrate this impact to progress. See and develop the talent around you. Their success is a sign that you’re doing a good job.” 

Enjoyed this article? Read the full profiles of all of this year’s Inspirational Women Shaping the Future of Business Education here: 

Interested in this series? Why not look back over last year’s list below…