Panel discussion: Power, Presence & Progress: Women Who Lead Differently

In celebration of International Women’s Day, join us for an inspiring panel discussion on Power, Presence & Progress.

Power, Presence & Progress: Women Who Lead Differently - Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

📅 Wednesday, March 12th | 🕠 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

📍 NIO House Rotterdam, Meent 80, Rotterdam

In celebration of International Women’s Day, join us for an inspiring panel discussion on Power, Presence & Progress, where we’ll explore how women bring unique strengths to leadership, challenge outdated expectations, and redefine success by leading in their own way.

Women often face pressure to conform to traditional leadership styles—many of which were shaped by male-dominated corporate cultures. But what if the most effective leaders don’t fit that mold?

Through engaging conversations, personal stories, and interactive discussions, we’ll dive into:

🔹 The Myth of the “Ideal” Leader

🔹 Leading with Authenticity

🔹 Power & Presence: The Unspoken Rules

🔹 Changing the System vs. Playing the Game

Meet Our Esteemed Panelists:

👩 Safiyeh Salehi Mobarakeh is an executive mentor, speaker, and advisor specializing in identity empowerment and feminine leadership. She mentors women navigating cultural identity and leadership and co-designed a pioneering women's leadership program for Iraq’s Ministry of Interior. She advises organizations on value-driven leadership and chairs the Advisory Board for Kunstmuseum The Hague. With a background in architecture and human innovation, she has led impactful initiatives in the MENA region. A Harvard and Yale graduate, certified mBIT coach, and mother of four, she is passionate about fostering value-driven leadership and social impact.

👩 Lina Robayo Dominguez is a Senior Change Manager at Siemens. She helps leaders maximize cross team collaboration in challenging digital transformation projects. She believes in leadership been an attitude more than a hierarchical position. Her experience in Change Management and Collaboration Facilitation across different layers in corporate is a testament of what she believes servant leadership is, an act of service "others oriented".

She is delighted to share her experience and perspective with the Female Ventures community, connect with her via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-robayo/

👩 Nancy Migally is a project director at APM Internationals. Shes has over 15 years of experience in large-scale infrastructure and maritime development. At her current role, she successfully delivered a $300 million expansion in a complex JV environment, integrating new assets into operational terminals. She has a proven track record in project management, CAPEX investment, and stakeholder engagement across global markets. Previously, she led project controls for a $27 billion government portfolio, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. Passionate about leadership and professional growth, Nancy is committed to empowering teams and driving excellence in the industry

Meet our Expert Moderator:🎤

Melissa Ablett-Jordaan is a growth-focused executive passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. She was COO of CIC, overseeing global startup hubs, and previously worked in U.S. innovation policy and scaled a digital media startup to acquisition. A seasoned speaker and event host, she led South Holland's largest startup conference, managed a 3,000-person Deloitte town hall, and mentors startups through TechStars Amsterdam and TU Delft’s Yes!Delft. She serves on nonprofit boards and lives in Rotterdam with her husband, two young children, and miniature dachshund.

Who Should Attend?

✨ Women in leadership (or aspiring leaders)

✨ Professionals seeking to lead authentically

✨ Allies, mentors & advocates for women in leadership