“We are today experiencing turbulent times and fluctuating economies, but this can actually be an engine for the transformation and behavioral change that companies want to see. The focus on ESG and DE&I has never been more pressing for investors, companies, employees and politicians. I am proud that we this year have been giving leading DE&I experts, visionary CEOs and international thought leaders from AI, finance, culture, sustainability, entrepreneurship and Indigenous peoples a platform here today at Østre Gasværk Teater,” says Tine Arentsen Willumsen, founder of Womenomics and CEO of Above & Beyond Group.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Mary who was previously honored with a Womenomics Award, spoke this year about the importance prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion – also in times of crises and turbulence.

”Today, I am cautiously optimistic, because even though progress is far to slow, we do see momentum for this agenda. Political measures will get us nowhere without the support from business, organisations and families. We need to join forces to make a difference and direct us towards a new path for the future,” said Minister for Equal Opportunities, Marie Bjerre, who ended her video speech thanking Above & Beyond for maintaining focus on this important agenda.

The four Womenomics Award recipients were honored on stage as prominent role models: Julia Hoggett, London Stock Exchange, Sara Olsvig, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Frederikke Antoine Schmidt, Roccamore and Navid Ostadian-Binai, Maersk Tankers.

“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is the fuel of better, more impactful decisions. This is something all of us can own, a place where we can all make a difference,” said Ingrid Uppelschoten Snelderwaard, Chief DE&I Officer, A. P. Moller-Maersk, who as a guest speaker was showcasing the competitive advantages that diverse teams and inclusive cultures can bring to businesses around the world and how they apply this within Maersk.

Daniela Bohlinger, Head of Sustainability Design and Innovations, BMW Group was invited as a guest speaker from Germany and answered the questions:” How can we design and innovative a sustainable future? Are we doing it right, are we being honest and are we setting the right priorities?” As key responsible for innovation and sustainable design for a 150 billion EUR big business Daniela is a female top leader in a position, where she actually has the influence to make the world more sustainable.

Another guest speaker with global impact was Asif Sadiq, Chief DE&I Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery, including Discovery’s 250 TV channels such as HBO Max. Asif is globally responsible for ensuring that all new movies and TV shows on Warner Bros. Discovery are told in a culturally authentic voice. Asif shared his experiences about the importance of ‘belonging’ and which DE&I initiatives that have the greatest effect both internally as well as externally.

During the conference, the artist Gitte Winther painted the work Multiple with contrasting Farrow & Ball colours thanks to Womenomic’s strategic partner Hempel.