Redefining leadership - Women at the helm of EU Agencies

The mission of European Union Agencies and Joint Undertakings is to bring the EU closer to citizens. They do that by providing policy support, trainings, advice, and expertise in areas such as health, innovation, justice, freedom and security, energy, transport, education, environment, economy, work, and wellbeing.

Every year one of them coordinates the work of the EU Agencies Network (EUAN) by overviewing strategic priorities and promoting best practice in different areas. In 2022 Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the development of fusion energy, acted as chair. To celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8 March, they invited the women Executive Directors of EU Agencies to discuss how they are redefining leadership. Six of them participated in an online talk and those who could not make it, were interviewed separately. It was the first time in the history of the EUAN that such topic was discussed, giving Executive Directors the opportunity to openly share their personal and professional experiences. Their conversations were powerful and inspiring because they were frank, came from the heart, and offered words of advice that resonated beautifully with audiences. Following the success of this initiative, we decided to capture their views by putting together this publication. It feels like hearing their voices narrating their journey.