The Creative Women Platform proudly hosted the SHE INNOVATE, SHE CREATE, SHE INVEST Symposium, an inspiring three-day event designed to cultivate business growth and innovation among female entrepreneurs and creative leaders. This symposium emerged as a dynamic hub for networking, featuring a blend of engaging presentations and panel discussions aimed at transforming innovative ideas into actionable business strategies.
The event attracted a distinguished line-up of award-winning international speakers—including both female and male leaders—who provided invaluable insights and practical advice on how to actualize business aspirations and secure necessary investments. Attendees had the unique opportunity to connect with potential investors while exploring the latest trends in innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Kicking off with an opening event at Portcullis House, UK Parliament on 7 November, where guests were addressed by the Founder and CEO of Creative Women, Olga Balakleets; the Chair of the Board, Islee Oliva Salinas; the Executive Director, Viola Edward; and CW Honorary Ambassador and Chair of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports, Rebeca Riofrio, among other speakers, the symposium unfolded into an exhilarating day of activities on 8 November at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Mayfair. The final day, 9 November, featured visits to two impactful London exhibitions celebrating iconic female figures: Marilyn Monroe, a tribute to the Hollywood legend, and “I Followed You to the End,” showcasing the works of the British artistic powerhouse, Dame Tracey Emin.
Throughout the symposium, attendees engaged in thought-provoking networking lunches and dinners, where they reflected on key takeaways and strategies discussed during the sessions. The experience was further enriched by the artistic contributions that are a hallmark of Creative Women Platform events. Participants were treated to a captivating art by contemporary artist Daniela Raytchev, enchanting music from award-winning clarinettist Lone Widahl Madsen, and a powerful narration from the play “Tears of Silence” by talented actress and entrepreneur Paola Hadjilambri Droussiotis. These artistic elements underscored the Platform’s name, reaffirming the significance of creativity in both personal and professional development.
The Creative Women Platform, founded by award-winning entrepreneur and artist Olga Balakleets, has established itself as a beacon of women’s empowerment over the past nine years. Recognised as a premier networking space, it is committed to fostering connections and promoting advancement among female leaders and entrepreneurs globally. With a diverse network comprising esteemed female leaders from over 50 countries, the Creative Women Platform serves as a unique venue for sharing experiences and mentorship, connecting visionary experts and skilled entrepreneurs who are reshaping the business landscape. Moreover, the Creative Women Platform remains dedicated to sustainability and education. It is currently developing a series of courses aimed at empowering young female entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on these crucial areas.
The agenda of the SHE INNOVATE, SHE CREATE, SHE INVEST Symposium was meticulously crafted to delve into the pivotal themes of innovation and investment within the realms of entrepreneurship, leadership, and cultural transformation. The event showcased a series of impactful keynote addresses and engaging panel discussions featuring distinguished speakers who are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds across the globe. Their expertise contributed richly to the discussions aimed at empowering women in various sectors.
Below are highlights of the notable speakers and their compelling topics:
Daniel Afan-Jones (UK), Founder & CEO of Bonsai Smart Wealth – In his session titled “Closing the Gender Wealth Gap: Practical Strategies for Financial Independence,” Daniel provided actionable insights and strategies to empower women in achieving financial independence. He also participated in the panel discussion, “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom: The Transformative Impact on the Global Investment Paradigm.”
Heather Ann (USA) and JC Cortez (Mexico), Co-Founders of Ladydragon Craft Tequila – Their panel, “The Taste of Pure Passion,” explored how passion-driven ventures can redefine traditional business models.
Robin Rowland Hill (UK), Founder and CEO of Ruffena Investment Group – In “When Plan A Doesn’t Work,” Robin shared resilient strategies for overcoming challenges in the investment landscape while contributing to the panel, “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom.”
Althea Bunce (Sri Lanka/UK), Founder of Sri Lanka Bespoke – As the panel moderator for “Rise to Lead: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in a Changing World,” Althea facilitated discussions on leadership strategies that inspire and empower women in today's evolving business environment.
Norah Casey (Ireland), Investor & Broadcaster – Her presentation, “The Power of You,” emphasised the personal empowerment needed to drive business success and change, a theme echoed in her participation in the transformative panel on women’s financial wisdom.
Sarah Carolides (UK), Head of Nutrition at Lanserhof Clinic & Zooki – In “Fueling Longevity: How to Make Smart Investments in Your Health Today for a Healthier Tomorrow,” Sarah highlighted the critical intersection of health and wealth, illustrating wellness as a key component of overall business success.
Pernilla S. Corizza (Sweden), Founder and CEO of Honor Your Leadership – Through her session on “The Art of Leading Through People,” Pernilla emphasised the importance of empathetic leadership and its role in empowering women entrepreneurs, as she moderated the panel on leadership advocacy.
Chris Droussiotis (USA), Senior Managing Director at Kinisis Ventures Ltd – In his presentation, “From Ideas to Impact: The Trailblazing Women of Innovation,” Chris celebrated the contributions of women innovators, sharing insights during the “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom” panel.
Viola Edward (Cyprus), Transcultural Psychotherapist and Strategic Mentor/Advisor, CEO of GRIT Academy – Her session on “Emotional Wealth: The Foundation for Sustainable Investment” explored the psychological aspects of investment and personal growth.
Leanne Elliott Young, Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute of Digital Fashion (IoDF) – In the panel “Redefining Fashion: Innovation, Authenticity, and Business in a Changing Industry,” Leanne discussed the evolving landscape of the fashion industry and the crucial role of digital innovation.
Jaspal Flora (UK), Impact Angel Investor – During the “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom” panel, Jaspal shared her insights into the transformational power of women-centric investment strategies.
Amira Fouad (UAE), Founder & Director at Encore and Artistic Director at The National Youth Orchestra Dubai – Her session “The Symphony of Diversity and Hope: Celebrating and Building Artistic Collaborations” emphasised the importance of creative partnerships, contributing to the panel “Innovative Investments: The Value of Creativity in Business Growth.”
Paola Hadjilambri (Cyprus), Vice President at EMERLAND REAL ESTATE LTD and CEO at “W Creative Consultancy Ltd” – In her contribution, “She Leads, She Builds: Women Redefining Real Estate,” Paola illustrated how women are reshaping the real estate sector through innovative practices, as part of the “Innovative Investments” panel.
Emb Hashmi (UK), BBC Presenter and Reporter – As the esteemed host and moderator, Emb guided the dynamic discussions throughout the symposium.
Alexa Jago (UK), CEO of New Horizon Pictures – Her session “My Journey to Hollywood and Back” shared her powerful narrative of resilience and creativity while participating in the panel on “Innovative Investments.”
Aswar Kadie (Sweden), Founder and CEO of Aswar Sports Agency – In his inspiring session titled “Confidence, Courage, and Resilience: My Story as a CEO and Founder,” Aswar shared his personal journey and the qualities essential for success in the competitive sports industry. He participated in the panel “Rise to Lead: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in a Changing World” emphasizing the importance of resilience in leadership.
Charlotte Laing, Co-Founder of Elixir Drinks – Contributing to the panel “The Taste of Pure Passion,” Charlotte discussed the innovative spirit behind her brand and how passion drives successful entrepreneurship in a competitive market.
Linda Pereira (Portugal), Entrepreneur, Communication Strategist & Consultant – As the moderator of the panel “Innovative Investments: The Value of Creativity in Business Growth,” Linda brought her vast experience in communication strategy to the forefront, focusing on leveraging women’s creative potential across all industries through strategic investment. In her solo presentation titled “Empowering Ideas: Investing in Women’s Creative Potential Across All Industries,” she highlighted the critical importance of acknowledging and harnessing the innovative contributions of women in various fields and emphasised that investing in women's creative potential not only drives economic growth but also fosters diversity and sustainable development across all industries.
Bobbie Le Poppmeier (USA), Angel Investor and Entrepreneur – In her insightful presentation “Bridging the Gaps Along the Way as a Corporate Working Mother and Now Entrepreneur – Financing 101 for Your Start-Up,” Bobbie outlined essential financing strategies for women-led start-ups, contributing to the panel “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom: The Transformative Impact on the Global Investment Paradigm.”
Georgia Meacham, Actress, Model, and Disability Advocate – Georgia's participation in the panel “Redefining Fashion: Innovation, Authenticity, and Business in a Changing Industry” highlighted her unique perspective on the intersection of fashion and advocacy, showcasing how authenticity in fashion can drive meaningful change.
Rebeca Riofrio (UK), Chair of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports and CWP Honorary Ambassador – As the moderator of the “Redefining Fashion” panel, Rebeca steered discussions that explored the importance of authenticity and innovation within the fashion industry.
Oriona Robb, Style Consultant – Contributing to the “Redefining Fashion” panel, Oriona shared her expertise on elevating personal style in ways that reflect authenticity, urging women entrepreneurs to embrace their individuality in business.
Sukaina Mackie (Lebanon/UK), CEO & Founder of Jade Jewellery and House of Designs – In her participation in the panel “Rise to Lead: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in a Changing World,” Sukaina discussed her journey in the jewellery industry, focusing on the empowerment of women in creative ventures.
Islee Oliva Salinas (USA), CWP Chair of the CW Board – As the moderator for both “The Taste of Pure Passion” and “Women, Wealth, and Wisdom: The Transformative Impact on the Global Investment Paradigm” panels, Islee facilitated deep discussions around the intersection of investment and entrepreneurship.
Farah Shammas (Cyprus), CEO at St Raphael Hotel and Marina and Founder at Cook Vegan, CWP Honorary Ambassador – In the panel “Rise to Lead: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in a Changing World,” Farah shared her journey and insights on sustainability in business, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices in the hospitality industry.
Veronica Sosa (Belgium), Founder of SHE, Society for Hispanic Entrepreneurs – Veronica’s involvement in the “Rise to Lead” panel brought forth discussions on the unique challenges faced by Hispanic women entrepreneurs and the strategies to overcome them.
Marine Tanguy (France), CEO of MTArt Agency and Author of “The Visual Detox” – Her presentation “The Visual Detox” explored the significance of creativity in business growth and the evolving role of artists as entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to the panel on innovative investments.
The symposium fostered a rich dialogue for attendees, encouraging the exchange of ideas and strategies essential for fostering innovation in today’s competitive business environment and evolving landscape for women in business. Attendees left with practical strategies, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose as they journeyed through their entrepreneurial paths.
For more information about the SHE INNOVATE, SHE CREATE, SHE INVEST Symposium and to learn about upcoming initiatives by the Creative Women Platform, please visit www.creativewomen.co and for press inquiries please contact us: admin@creativewomen.co
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