Womenomics Speakers and Award Winners

Read more below about the expert speakers who participated at Womenomics 2025

Speakers

Chetan Tolia

Managing Director, AI Product Lead, Group Emerging Technology, UBS

Rafif Srour

Executive Vice Dean, School of Science & Technology, IE University

Sarah DiMuccio, PhD

Senior DE&I Consultant, Above & Beyond Group

Claes Westerlind

President & CEO, NKT

Vivienne Artz

CEO, FTSE Women Leaders Review

Magnus Heunicke

Minister of Environment and Gender Equality, The Danish Parliament

Rukasana Bhaijee

Global Head of DE&I, Financial Times

Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen

C- Suite Thought Leader and Former Chief People & Culture Officer, Hempel

Bhushan Sethi

Partner, PwC US

Barbara Burghardt

SVP, Human Resources Senior Executives, BMW

Clement Behrendt Kjersgaard

TV Host, Publisher and Journalist

Charlotte Slente

Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council

Naveed Niwaz

Partner, McKinsey & Company

Ambassador Katja Nordgaard

Norwegian Ambassador to Denmark

Tine Arentsen Willumsen

Founder and CEO, Above & Beyond Group

Chetan Tolia

Managing Director, AI Product Lead, Group Emerging Technology, UBS

Joining UBS as an intern in 1997 Chetan has held several roles combining business and technology.
Over the last 7 years, he has held multiple leadership roles across corporate venture and innovation including corporate-VC investments in fintechs, an incubator that converts innovative ideas into viable businesses and research on the application of emerging technologies in banking.

He currently co-leads an AI stream that is responsible for building the foundational AI and Data capabilities needed by UBS on its strategic journey to becoming an AI-powered firm.

Chetan is a UBS Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Ambassador and active in the UBS MOSAIC network that focuses on ethnicity DE&I, including a member of the networks strategic oversight forum.

Originally from Nairobi, Kenya he lives with his wife and son in Zurich.

Rafif Srour

Executive Vice Dean, School of Science & Technology, IE University

Rafif Srour is an academic driven by a profound passion to leverage technology as a disruptive force in higher education. Her ongoing efforts focus on innovating curricula and integrating Artificial Intelligence to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Board-member of IE Women´s Unit, advocate of women in STEM empowerment and multiple times winner of Best Professor award, Rafif Srour is an active member of the Learning Innovation Hub at IE University. In 2021, Srour was nominated among the top 183 Leading Data Academics by CDO magazine. In the same year, Srour was nominated among 55 leading women in the #technology sector in Spain, under the category of “Yo, Jefa”.
Throughout her career at IE University, Rafif has transitioned through various roles, from serving as the Academic Director of the Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics to taking on the role of interim Dean of the School of Science and Technology (Sci-Tech) in 2021-2022. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Vice Dean of the Sci-Tech School.

Sarah DiMuccio, PhD

Senior DE&I Consultant, Above & Beyond Group

Sarah DiMuccio, PhD, is a Senior Consultant at Above & Beyond Group specializing in diversity, equity, inclusion (DE&I), bias, psychological safety, and organizational culture. Born and raised in the U.S. with Danish heritage, she brings a global perspective
to her work, drawing on experience across both American and European workplaces.
She holds a PhD in Social Psychology from New York University, where she researched how gender norms shape behaviour and workplace dynamics. As the former Director of Research at Catalyst, a global DE&I nonprofit, she led international studies on systemic bias and leadership, helping companies worldwide develop more inclusive strategies.
Through strategic consulting, facilitation, and training, Sarah supports organizations in driving lasting cultural change with a pragmatic and empathetic approach that meets people where they are.

Claes Westerlind

President & CEO, NKT

Claes Westerlind, born in 1982, is a seasoned leader in the energy sector with over 15 years of experience specializing in power cables and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) converter systems. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology.
In 2017, Westerlind joined NKT. He served as Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial and Tendering, and later as Executive Vice President of Solutions in Karlskrona. In 2023, he was appointed President and CEO of NKT, reflecting his deep industry expertise and strategic leadership. Throughout his career, Westerlind has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation in the high-voltage cable industry.

Vivienne Artz

CEO, FTSE Women Leaders Review

Vivienne is the Chief Executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, the UK’s business-led voluntary framework, supported by Government to improve the representation of women on the Boards and Leadership teams of the FTSE 350 and 50 of the UK’s largest private companies.
Vivienne is a NED and holds a number of expert advisory roles supporting businesses in their data, privacy and digital strategies, with a focus on AI and new technologies, anti-financial crime and equality & diversity. Vivienne has over twenty five years experience in global financial and professional services sectors, including at the London Stock Exchange Group, Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters and Citibank. Vivienne is Chair of the AI and Data Advisory Group at the International Business & Diplomatic Exchange, Founder of the PICCASO Awards, Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime Data Committee Chair, was chapter co-lead of the City of London “Vision for Economic Growth” report, and has advised UK government on international data transfer strategies.
Vivienne is an exceptional advocate for gender balance in business, is a Patron of Women in Finance Rwanda, and is the former CEO of Women in Banking and Finance. She was awarded an OBE for services to Financial Services and Gender Diversity in 2021.

Magnus Heunicke

Minister of Environment and Gender Equality, The Danish Parliament

Magnus Heunicke served as the Denmark’s Minister for Health from 2019 to 2022, where he played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022 he has served as Denmark’s Minister for the Environment and Minister for Gender Equality. Heunicke is recognized for his commitment to environmental sustainability as well as promoting gender equality in Denmark.

Rukasana Bhaijee

Global Head of DE&I, Financial Times

Rukasana Bhaijee is a visionary Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader with over 13 years of experience spanning Media, Technology, Professional Services, and Higher Education. As the Global Head of DEI at the Financial Times, Rukasana spearheads the evolution of the organisation’s DEI strategy, partnering with leaders to turn ambitions into actions.

Prior to her current role, Rukasana drove DEI transformation at Google, where she led the EMEA technology business DEI agenda. Her work was rooted in data-driven strategies, resulting in a year-on-year increase in women’s representation in tech and enhanced DEI leadership capability. She also played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and action on race equity following the murder of George Floyd.

Rukasana’s expertise extends to her time as a Management Consultant at EY, where she collaborated with organisations across industries to advance their DEI journeys—whether laying foundational frameworks or driving sophisticated, mature DEI strategies. A dynamic thought leader, Rukasana is passionate about empowering individuals, building inclusive cultures, and driving systemic change that unlocks the full potential of diverse talent.

Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen

C- Suite Thought Leader and Former Chief People & Culture Officer, Hempel

Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen joined Hempel in 2017 as Talent Management Director. Since November 2020, she has held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer.

Pernille has extensive international experience from both business and people roles in Maersk Line where she worked for more than 15 years.

Bhushan Sethi

Partner, PwC US

Bhushan is an experienced leader who has worked with global organizations across different industries and geographies to deliver on growth strategy, sustainable cost reduction, digital transformation and regulatory compliance. He is widely recognized as an award-winning thought leader, speaker, and influencer on topics such as the future of work, globalization, and leadership. Having been acknowledged by LinkedIn as a “Top Voice” in Consulting and listed on the 2023 “Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership”, Bhushan’s insights are highly sought after.

He is also actively engaged in various councils including at the World Economic Forum and G20/T20. In addition to his consulting, Bhushan serves as an Adjunct Professor at NYU Stern School of Business, enriching the next generation of business leaders with his expertise.

Barbara Burghardt

SVP, Human Resources Senior Executives, BMW

Barbara Burghardt is a Senior Executive Manager from the Automotive Industry. After completing her Master of Business Administration, she joined BMW Group in 1996. For more than 18 years, she has worked in operational and strategic HR functions with national and international responsibility after 12 years in different business functions.

She is an expert in corporate strategy, organizational development and transformation projects and has several years of experience in Financial Services. Currently as a Senior Vice President at BMW Group for HR Business and Talent Development, she is responsible for more than 100,000 employees worldwide. Her responsibility also includes Leadership Experience, transformation management in all divisions, as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Alphabet Fleet Management GmbH.

Clement Behrendt Kjersgaard

TV Host, Publisher and Journalist

Having worked for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation since 2004 Clement is one of the most well-known broadcasters in Denmark, including his 14 years anchoring the weekly flagship show “Debatten” (which he relaunched in 2010 and has hosted since). He has also anchored the daily news magazine “Deadline” along with talk shows and interview programs spanning both politics, the arts and pop culture.

He is the founder and publisher of the Danish current affairs magazine RÆSON, the history magazine ÆRA and the annual Festival of Knowledge. At the age of 35 he was awarded the Danish Publicist Prize and his shows have won three Danish Television Awards.

Charlotte Slente

Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council

Amb. Slente comes from a long career in the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has held multiple senior management posts central to Denmark’s development and humanitarian policy, hereunder State Secretary for Development Policy and Under-Secretary of State for Global Development – heading the Danish International Development Agency DANIDA. Charlotte Slente has also served high-level diplomatic posts, including Under- Secretary of State for Global Politics and Security, as well as Under-Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.

Ms. Slente has been Ambassador for Israel, Bolivia, Fragile States, as well as Economic Diplomacy and held several senior posts at Denmark’s bilateral Embassies. Ms Slente started her career with UNDP and holds a Master of Science in International Business Administration and Modern Languages from the Copenhagen Business School.

Naveed Niwaz

Partner, McKinsey & Company

Naveed Niwaz is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, based in Copenhagen, and a core leader in McKinsey Digital across Western Europe. He specialises in guiding clients through large-scale transformations that integrate digital innovation, commercial strategy, and capability building, with a focus on the software, IT, telecommunications, and banking sectors. Naveed has led major transformation programs across Europe, the Middle East, and Scandinavia, including digital overhauls for telecom operators, go-to-market redesigns for B2B businesses, and post-acquisition value creation for global software firms. Before joining McKinsey, he held various management positions in the high-tech and telecommunications industries.

Ambassador Katja Nordgaard

Norwegian Ambassador to Denmark

Katja Nordgaard has been serving as Norway’s Ambassador to Denmark since 2021. Educated as an economist from Norwegian School of Economics, she had a brief stay in the banking sector before entering the foreign service in 1988, where she has spent most of her career. During her time in the foreign service, she has been posted to London, South Africa, and Thailand, and is currently Ambassador to Denmark. When positioned in Oslo, she has held positions as Director General for the Department of sustainable development, director for section for business relations, as well as director for Africa. Apart from this, Katja has gained a range of experience through several leaves of absence from the foreign service. This includes the Norwegian Shipowners Association, the Prime Minister’s Office, the solar industry (Scatec Solar) and telecommunications (Telenor ASA). Altogether, this has contributed to her passion for public-private partnerships as the way to solve many of the global challenges society is facing. A particular driving force throughout Katja’s career has been the issue of sustainability and green transition, not least within the energy sector. Apart from this, she is a strong promoter of women’s roles and rights in society.

Tine Arentsen Willumsen

Founder and CEO, Above & Beyond Group

Tine Arentsen Willumsen is the Founder of Above & Beyond Group, the creator of The Diversity Council, as well as the mind behind The Womenomics Global Summit. The Group is also behind Above & Beyond Academy which provides world-class leadership programs, for large corporates. Tine is also the author or the business book, ‘Womenomics: Gender Diversity and the Rise of Female-Driven Growth Potential’.

Prior to establishing Above & Beyond, she had an international career abroad for 23 years with, among others, the diamond conglomerate De Beers and Bang & Olufsen where she was Marketing Director and heading 30 markets internationally.
Tine is also the Founder and Chair of Sisterhood Foundation, a charity which supports girls and women in India with scholarships, training and micro-financing.

Tine holds a Bachelor from Singapore and an MBA from ESSEC Business School in Paris.

Awards

Each year, The Womenomics Global Summit, founded by Above & Beyond, awards three extraordinary women, who are above & beyond in their respective fields, for their unique achievements and contribution to reach gender parity.

The recipients of these three awards are selected from nominations put forward by the Womenomics committee.

Previous Award Winners