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The Forbes Women's Summit 2024 offered a day full of inspiration, networking, and diverse perspectives. Over 300 guests gathered at the Park Hyatt Zurich to learn from a series of impressive speakers and exchange ideas under the theme «Diversity & Profits.»

The core message of the event was clear: if you want to see change, you have to take action. «Be bold» urged Sabine Betz from EY, while entrepreneur Anja Graf advised, «Stop talking and start doing!» Mountain climber Billi Bierling and entrepreneur Alessia Schrepfer also emphasized: success doesn’t come by itself; it takes action and dedication.

The day began with a performance by Viennese pianist and conductor Dorothy Khadem-Missagh, who pointed out an important fact: among the world’s top 20 orchestras, there is no female chief conductor. Billi Bierling shared her experiences as a climber who has scaled six of the world’s eight-thousanders and the unique challenges women face in that field.

Later in the day, Mirjam Staub-Bisang, the new Chairwoman of BlackRock Switzerland, spoke about changes in capital markets and her role in a transforming world. JC Letellier from L’Oréal DACH discussed the transformative power of beauty and its deeper significance beyond appearances.

After a short break, more inspiring personalities took the stage. Aurelia Frick, our Strategic Advisor at smzh and member of the extended management as well as a former Minister, discussed her career and the importance for a more diverse political and business landscape. Sabine Betz encouraged the audience to let go of perfectionism, while Diana Markaki-Barthold, founder of The Boardroom, shared her experiences as a solo founder and the challenges that come with it.

After lunch, Breakout Sessions provided participants with practical tools and tips to advance their careers. Topics included negotiation skills, mental resilience, and financial decision-making. The interactive session on «Making, Investing, and Spending Money» was led by our CEO, Gzim Hasani. You can download the handout here.

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The day ended with a panel discussion featuring young entrepreneurs under 30, who shared their impact as social entrepreneurs. Among them were Nielufar Saffari from Dolmx, Laura Stocco from Openversum, and Carla Gonzaga Vilela Hänny from Nikin, who shared their visions and achievements.

A special highlight was Anja Graf’s story: she built Visionapartments, a company that now manages a real estate portfolio worth one billion Swiss francs and operates in several European countries. Her success, she emphasized, is the result of hard work and perseverance.

The Forbes Women’s Summit 2024 was a day full of energy, valuable insights, and inspiring stories. The speakers highlighted not only the opportunities but also the challenges that come with success and change. The conclusion: change is possible, but it requires commitment and perseverance.

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During the summit, we had the opportunity to interview a variety of speakers and personalities as part of our Flash Talk series. Learn more here: smzh ag | Forbes x smzh.