Equal Pay Day 2025: POTENTIAL
This year's Equal Pay Day focuses on the persistent gender pay gap in the Czech Republic – the disparity in earnings between women and men. This gap not only highlights the issue of unequal pay but also represents a loss of significant societal potential, often untapped due to stereotypes, insufficient support for work-life balance, and ineffective communication.
According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2024, the Czech Republic ranks 104th overall, 106th in equal pay for equal work, and 39th among European countries.
Currently, there are only 16 signatories of the UN WOMEN project Women’s Empowerment Principles in the Czech Republic who have publicly committed to actively working towards equal opportunities for women and men in the workplace. At the same time, the country continues to face a persistent double-digit gender pay gap, disadvantaging women. Gender equality is often met with indifference, perhaps because the real impacts are still not widely understood. One of these impacts is the wasted POTENTIAL, something we can no longer afford.
The 16th annual Equal Pay Day has a bold goal: TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE ENTIRE SOCIETY, because the data speaks clearly. Let’s unlock our potential and aim for the number one spot globally. Join us at Equal Pay Day to explore solutions and paths forward…
Conference Program
8:15 – 9:00
REGISTRATION | a space for informal networking
8:55 – 9:05
RIGHT TIME CLOSE THE PAY GAP, BEST TIME OPEN OUR CONFERENCE
Gabriela Bechynská
Senior Manager, Government and Public Affairs, EMEA The LEGO Group
Manu Chilaud
Manufacturing Director Czechia Mondelez International
9:05 – 9:20
EQUAL IN 2025: IS POTENTIAL STILL BELIEVED IN OR ALREADY DOUBTED?
Altynay Tezekova
Director People&Culture at Philip Morris International
9:20 – 9:35
SHOULD WE FEAR IT OR LOOK FORWARD TO IT? What is the real deal with pay transparency?
Lenka Simerská
Equal pay expert, Chief Coordinator of the Rovná odměna project, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic
Get ready for a dose of inspiration – and, most importantly, for action steps you can take right away!
9:35 – 9:50
WOMEN IN/ON BOARD
Eva Bučová
CEO of ING Bank in the Czech Republic
Eva will share her personal journey and experiences, focusing on how diversity and inclusion in leadership drive innovation and growth. She will highlight the importance of boosting women’s confidence for their career advancement and share personal tips on creating a workplace environment that enables women to grow and thrive.
She will also address the common tendency among women to feel the need to be 100% ready before taking on a new challenge – and how this mindset impacts their career progression.
9:50 – 10:05
EQUAL AS A STANDARD BUSINESS GOAL
Dušan Quis
Chairman of the Board and CEO of Allianz Insurance in the Czech Republic
10:05 – 10:10
DATA AND VISION FROM THE OECD
Stefano Scarpetta
Director of the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at the OECD
10:10 – 10:40
WHERE IS THE WORLD HEADING?
H.E. Emily McLaughlin
The Ambassador of Canada to Czechia
H.E. Antoaneta Barta
The Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic
H.E. Alan Gibbons
The Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic
10:40 – 11:00
REFRESH YOURSELF
A short break, coffee, and a fresh mind for the next inspiring session.
11:00 – 11:05
WHAT NEXT
11:05 – 11:20
BEYOND THE PAYCHECK – Tackling the Pay Gap from Childhood to Boardroom
Francisc Kiss
Specialised Nutrition Director CEE Danone
- Why the gender pay gap persists
- What companies can do today to drive real change
- How Danone CEE built a culture of fair pay and inclusion
- Why diversity isn’t just a social good—it’s a business advantage
- Talk about facts, not excuses and strive for action.
11:20 – 11:35
THE POTENTIAL OF BEING YOUR TRUE SELF
Nina Wenzl
Director Corporate Affairs Central Europe MARS
in interview with Gabrielou Bechynskou
Nina will share her personal journey, from being the first academic in her family, to how introverts can thrive as leaders and unlock their full potential. Key insights will include the importance of finding a workplace where you can truly be yourself and the role of intentional support from employers and leaders—through setting an example, providing training and coaching, and fostering allyship. Nina will also offer personal tips and share how Mars actively supports these principles in practice.
11:35 – 11:50
WHEN TO TAKE ACTION AND WHEN TO LEAVE ROOM FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Tereza Ondroušková
AI Transformation Officer Raiffeisenbank a.s.
Tereza, in her story about career changes, key decisions, and the importance of support, will outline how to find balance between action and attraction. She will demonstrate why it’s not always necessary to push everything by force and how the right steps at the right time can open the path to unlocking one’s full potential. This session will inspire both individuals seeking new impulses and leaders who aim to create space for growth and innovation.
11:50 – 12:05
12:05 – 12:15
WHAT WE’VE HEARD – CHECKLIST – WHAT’S NEXT
12:15 – 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
Hotel restaurant Veduta in 2nd floor
13:30 – 13:40
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
13:40 – 13:55
AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING… THERE’S ME
If you need a boost to get out of your chair and be filled with positive energy that comes from dedication, hard work, and unstoppable enthusiasm, then don’t miss her talk: “At the Beginning of Everything… There’s Me!”
Jana Havrdová
Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce
13:55 – 14:10
HOW TO (BOLDLY) ASK FOR MONEY, RESPECT, AND BOUNDARIES IN BUSINESS
Jasmína Houdek
Co-founder of Moderní sebeobrana
- Confidence is your best self-defense
- How to say a clear NO and not drown under a pile of tasks
- Getting interrupted in meetings? Learn how to take the floor back
- How to set boundaries at work when someone treats you like a personal assistant
- Bold and effective methods you can start using right away
14:10 – 14:35
PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS, ESG, DATA, FACTS, STRATEGY
Irena Prášilová
Director MSD Czech Republic
Kateřina Klosová
Commercial Director Czech Republic & Slovakia Dun & Bradstreet
Hosted by:
Barbora Kroužková
Journalist and moderator “Události” and “Události, komentáře” at ČT1 and ČT24
14:35 – 14:50
WOMEN, LEADERSHIP, MASTER CLASS TIP
Francesca Burack
CEO and President Fearless Talent Development Inc.
14:50 – 15:00
WHAT WE’VE HEARD – CHECKLIST
15:00 – 15:25
REFRESH YOURSELF
A short break, coffee, and a fresh mind for the next inspiring session.
15:25 – 15:30
TIME TO THINK
15:30 – 15:45
EMPOWERING GIRLS OF THE FUTURE
Marina Edwards
Senior Vice President, CEEMEA Region,The LEGO Group
Marina will explore the themes of empowering girls, fostering inclusivity, and addressing gender equality. She will talk about the role of parents in empowering their kids through inclusive play and challenging traditional gender stereotypes, and how they can raise children to be inclusive, break down barriers to success, and navigate gender-related challenges in their careers.
15:45 – 16:05
VOICE OF GENERATION Y, Z She Leads, Rewrite the Rules
Oliana Sula
University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Albania
Szandra Staudinger-Krucsó
Digital Business Architect, E.ON Hungary
Moderated by:
Cristina Muntean
Founder & CEO of VORNICA
16:05 – 16:20
EQUALITY MEANS BETTER BUSINESS (WEPs)
Iryna Tytarchuk
Co-founder Women-IN
Mariana Ludányiová
Founder DreamsComeToMe.com
16:20 – 16:45
EQUAL, PAY GAP, EMPOWERMENT, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
Mariella Camilleri
President of BPW Malta
Alida Perkov
President BPW Pula Croatia
Angela Chicu
President of BPW Moldova
16:45 – 17:00
WE KNOW NOW, LET’S JUST CHANGE IT | CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE
Eva Primus Kovandová
President of Business & Professional Women CR z.s.
17:00 – 18:00
NETWORKING, BUSINESS MEETING, TALK
Kickstart your future through collaboration!
EXTRA TIP
EQUAL PAY DAY DINNER CRUISE
Join us for an unforgettable after-party aboard the Classic River boat!
Set sail with us and expand your network while enjoying delicious food and drinks with a stunning view of Prague from the Vltava River.
🚍 BUS departure from the hotel: 18:00
Boarding location: Dvořákovo nábřeží, Pier No. 17 (near Štefánikův Bridge)
Boat departure: 18:50 (we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes in advance or taking our shuttle bus)
After-party ticket price: €44 – purchase your ticket here.
⚠️ Limited capacity! Secure your spot today!
