Women in Innovation: Not Just Leaders, but Creators of Long-Term Solutions

We are pleased to announce that CareerDailyNews.com is a media partner of the round table “Women in Innovations”, organized by the association “Damski Forum”, which will take place on October 30 at Planet Schwarz Tech Theater.
The event will be opened by Ekaterina Zaharieva and Tomaslav Donchev, and among the guest speakers are corresponding member Evelina Slavcheva, Boiko Takov and Diana Aladjova.
Especially for CareerDailyNews.com Diana Miteva (Chairman of the Board of “Damski Forum”) gives an exclusive interview in which she reveals her vision for the role of women in innovations.

Ms. Miteva, could you briefly introduce yourself – what is your professional path and how was the idea for the creation of “Damski Forum” born?

I have over 30 years of management experience in the banking sector. Until January 2023, I was a member of the Management Board and CEO of DSK Bank.  Currently, I am an advisor to the chairman of the Supervisory Board of D Bank and a strategic consultant for Alaric Securities – positions that allow me to contribute to the development of the financial sector and beyond operational management. From April 2021 to April 2023, I was the chairman of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria.

As for “Damski Forum”, we created it 18 years ago – we started as a small group of ladies, friends and like-minded individuals who shared similar views, interests and a desire for meaningful dialogue and support. Back then, we didn’t even suspect that an informal initiative could turn into such a sustainable and significant platform. Gradually, “Damski Forum” evolved into an organization with a clear vision and mission – to empower, connect and inspire women at different stages of their professional and personal journeys.

The forum has grown alongside us – with each subsequent initiative, with each new participant who has found support, knowledge and inspiration in our community. And today, nearly two decades later, we are 155 and we are proud to  say that this is one of the few platforms in Bulgaria that sustainably and purposefully works for the development of women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and social engagement

What is behind the decision this year for the round table to be dedicated specifically to the topic “Women in Innovations”?

This year we chose the topic “Women in Innovations” as the focus of the round table, driven by the belief that women play a key role in the transformation of modern society and economy – not only as leaders but also as creators of new models, technologies and solutions with long-term impact.

Innovations are not limited only to technological breakthroughs – they encompass new approaches in leadership, sustainable development, social entrepreneurship and human capital management. Women are often the driving force behind such processes, whether they operate within scientific institutions, startups or large organizations.

More importantly – this year we decided to present only Bulgarian innovative companies and projects implemented by women in the field of science and technology. And we want to show that there are valuable examples at the global and European level.

We are happy that in this endeavor we received support from the European Commissioner for Startups and Innovations, Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, as well as from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovations and Growth, Mr. Tomaslav Donchev, whose participation in the round table emphasizes the significance of the topic and the shared commitment of the institutions.

What main goals do you set through this event and what effect would you like to achieve – both for the participants and for society as a whole?

Our main goal is to create a field for meaningful dialogue and exchange of experience among women from different fields who develop and apply innovations – in business, science, education and the public sector.

With this topic, we set several goals:

•      To highlight inspiring stories of women who create value through innovations.

•      To encourage more active participation of women in the scientific, entrepreneurial and technological environment.

•      To build a bridge between science and practice, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment, mentorship and access to resources.

We believe that visible examples have the power not only to inspire but to change attitudes in society and to show young girls that the path to science, technology and innovations is not only possible but also full of opportunities for expression and leadership.

What distinguishes “Damski Forum” from other organizations working to empower women in business and public life?

“Damski Forum” is not just an organization – it is a community that offers much more than knowledge and opportunities for professional development. It provides friendship, trust, mutual support and an extremely positive, informal atmosphere where women can be themselves, share openly, seek advice and receive understanding.

Over the years, we have gotten to know each other, built a strong bond among ourselves, and today many of us are not just colleagues or partners, but friends and allies. This makes “Damski Forum” so valuable – the feeling of belonging to a community that accepts, supports and inspires you.

Of course, there are also specific formats for development – mentoring programs, training, thematic events and sharing of best practices. But they happen in an environment that is warm and authentic. It is precisely this – the combining power of the professional network and personal connection – that makes “Damski Forum” different and so impactful for every woman who becomes part of it.

What are the most common challenges that women share in your initiatives – lack of confidence, access to funding, mentorship or something else?

The ladies who are members of “Damski Forum” are already established professionals and – in high management positions or with successful own businesses. They have gone through a number of challenges in their professional paths, have proven themselves, and today they are in the role of mentors and inspirers. They are the ones who help and guide young women – whether in the corporate world, in academia or in entrepreneurship.

This happens through our mentoring program, as well as through our participation as a main partner for Bulgaria in the VISA program – She’s Next, aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs.

Women who participate in these programs often share about a lack of confidence, a sense of limited opportunities or fear of failure, especially when entering a new environment or taking on a leadership role. Many of them face difficulties in finding funding, both in the literal sense – access to capital, as well as in terms of information, contacts and skills to present ideas to investors.

That is why our initiatives are aimed at creating an environment where women not only gain practical knowledge and access to experience but also a sense of support, a network of like-minded individuals and faith in their own abilities.

How do you assess the progress of women entrepreneurs and leaders in Bulgaria in recent years? Do you see a real change in the attitudes of society and business?

In recent years, we have observed real and measurable progress in the participation of women in entrepreneurship, leadership and strategic management. Women in Bulgaria are increasingly visible in key positions – both in business and in the public sector, startups and even in traditionally male-dominated industries.

According to official data, by 2024 the number of women in leadership positions has increased by over 16% compared to 2023, Women employers are around 43,300, which represents an increase of almost 22% compared to the previous year. This is indicative of the growing self-confidence and determination of women to take on leadership roles, as well as the positive transformation of the business environment in Bulgaria.

There is a gradual change in the attitudes of society and business. More and more organizations are beginning to realize that women’s leadership is not an alternative but a necessity, especially in the context of innovations, social responsibility and sustainable development. Women’s leadership qualities – such as strategic thinking, empathy, collaboration and adaptability – are being established as strong advantages in modern management culture.

Also, in the scientific and technological sphere, data from the European Commission indicate that Bulgarian women make up over 55% of researchers in the academic sector and over 58% in the government sector – indicators that are above the EU average. This confirms that the potential is there, but for it to turn into sustainable leadership and entrepreneurship, proper direction and support are needed.

Which examples from the practice of “Damski Forum” would you highlight as evidence that mentorship and community truly change destinies and businesses?

One of the most vivid and sustainable examples of the impact of “Damski Forum” is our Mentoring Program, which has already had seven editions. Over 300 young women (mentees) from various fields – corporate world, entrepreneurship, science, technology and non-governmental organizations have participated in it.

As a result, we observe real and measurable changes in the lives and career development of the participants – starting their own businesses, taking on leadership positions, scaling their activities and creating joint projects between mentees and mentors.

We are particularly pleased that we now have a great alumni club of graduates of the program – women who continue to be part of our community, help each other, work together and even they are now getting involved as mentors for the next generations of participants.

From the mentoring program, our new initiative started – the “Findependent” program, which aims to promote financial literacy and investment thinking among young women. Its goal is to help women take their first steps into the world of personal finance, investing and planning for a financially independent future – areas where women often feel a lack of knowledge or confidence.

Another key example is the “She’s Next” program, which we implement in partnership with VISA Bulgaria, aimed specifically at women entrepreneurs from across the country. In its first edition, 15 finalists received targeted mentoring support on key topics related to business development – business strategy, finance, marketing and digitalization. At the end of the program, three ladies were awarded by an expert jury and received financial grants of 20,000 BGN, 15,000 BGN and 10,000 BGN, with which they developed specific business ideas and projects.

Currently, applications are being collected for the second edition of “She’s Next”, and more information about the conditions and deadlines can be found on our website. www. Ladiesforum.org

What is the role of partnerships with institutions such as the European Commission and Bulgarian ministries in supporting your causes?

Partnerships with institutions such as the European Commission and Bulgarian ministries play a key role in the realization of the causes of “Damski Forum”. They allow us to provide broader access to resources, expertise and networks, which are essential for our programs/initiatives.

They not only amplify our voice but also expand our scope and opportunities for action – especially on topics such as innovation, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and financial independence.

These partnerships allow us to be a connecting link between women and public policies, to contribute to building a better environment for development, as well as to create initiatives with real added value.

We believe that systemic change requires collaboration – between institutions, the private sector, science and civil society. In this sense, institutional partnerships help us build on our efforts, reach a wider audience and influence real policies that affect women in business, science and public life.

According to you, is there enough female representation in innovations and the technology sector in our country, and how can we strengthen it?

In Bulgaria, female representation in innovations and the technology sector is very serious

·     Bulgaria is among the countries with the highest share of women among ICT specialists in the EU: about 29.1 % in 2023.

·     In 2024, women make up about 27 % of all IT specialists in Bulgaria, which places us third in the EU for this indicator.

·     Bulgaria is among the countries with the highest share of women scientists and engineers in the EU — about 49.1 % according to the latest data (2023)

Although there are many positive trends — more and more women are entering technology teams, starting innovative companies and participating in scientific and R&D projects — the balance has not yet been achieved, especially at higher levels of leadership, funding, and strategic visibility.

What can be done:

Education and early encouragement towards STEM — from school, interest in technical and scientific disciplines among girls should be stimulated.

 Programs with structure and resources — that provide not only knowledge and contacts but also specific financial support, growth opportunities, and a supportive community.

 Policy and partnerships with institutions — to strengthen state and European policies, aiming for more equality at management levels and more targeted programs for women in technology and innovation.

Increased visibility of successes — to tell the stories of women who have achieved significant success  and to show real examples.

What would you advise young women who are hesitant about taking an entrepreneurial or scientific path – how to find courage and direction?

To young women who are hesitant, I would say: believe in yourself “declare yourself” - even when your ideas are, different or difficult to implement.

No one starts their path with all ready answers – the important thing is to start. The rest comes with time, with effort, and with the people around you.

Surround yourself with people who support you and challenge you to dream for something bigger. Mistakes are not failures – they are lessons.

Many of the ladies who are now leaders, entrepreneurs and or scientists with contributions started just like that – with a question, with doubt, with a search for direction. And they moved forward. If you feel that you want to create, to explore or to change – then you are already on the right path. Just take a step. And remember – even a small step in the right direction can open big doors.

What personal qualities do you think distinguish successful women leaders in today’s dynamic world?

Successful women leaders today are not just confident and competent – they lead with empathy, with heart, with courage. These are women who know how to listen, strategically thinking, adaptive and curious – constantly learning, asking questions and seeking better solutions. They are not afraid to take risks because they believe in their mission and know that sometimes failure is just a step towards something bigger.

But perhaps the most important quality of women leaders today is their ability to build – not only businesses and strategies but also trust, communities, and a future. Because they understand that leadership is not a position – it is a responsibility. To lead with care, with vision, and with faith that the world can become better – and that we are the ones who will make it so.

 

And finally – how do you imagine the development of the “Women’s Forum” in the coming years? What new initiatives would you like to implement?

I believe that the best is yet to come. I see the “Women’s Forum” as a growing community of inspired, brave, and supportive women – not only in Bulgaria but also in the entire region.

In the coming years, we will continue to expand our mentoring programs, create new educational formats, and encourage active participation of women – especially in areas like innovation, science, and technology. We want to reach even more young ladies – at the beginning of their professional path, with startup ideas – and give them real tools for growth and confidence.

We strongly believe in the power of collaboration and will continue to seek and build partnerships with institutions, international organizations, businesses, and the academic world. Because when we work together – with shared vision and values – we can achieve much more.

The “Women’s Forum” will continue to be a space where women feel not just accepted, but understood, encouraged, and inspired to unleash their potential. And to open doors for others after them.