Silvia Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Estoril Conferences through Nova SBE, is openly a leader focused on inspiring young people to take action – which gives this project enormous value. With an excellent professional trajectory, she guarantees that at no time has she neglected her personal life, which for her comes first. Get to know this and other details so important for today's society through this interview.

Question: The Estoril Conferences are events that promote an open dialogue about global challenges to create effective and innovative connections to evolve towards a sustainable and inclusive future. Why was this concept created?

Answer: Because we believe that an open, inclusive, and international dialogue allows us to contribute with solutions and bring new perspectives to the most urgent challenges that the future anticipates. We know today, more than ever, that the world needs change and new leaders capable of inspiring new generations to play a more active role in society, in a future that is common to all. Since 2009, the Estoril Conferences have brought some of the greatest world and national leaders to Portugal to debate global issues. This has been the model for the Conferences that we will maintain, now in the hands of Nova SBE.

Question: Silvia Rodriguez is currently the Executive Director of the Estoril Conferences by Nova SBE, whose 7thedition will take place on the 1st and 2nd of September next year. So, what will be the motto of this edition?

Answer: The central theme of this 7th edition is “The Purpose Generation: Becoming the Changemakers of Tomorrow” which aims to bring the new generations side by side with the great national and world leaders, united by a common purpose to create impact and transform our societies. in the most diverse areas. Topics such as sustainable development, the future of work, and the role of universities in training future leaders will be discussed, covering inclusion and equal access to education, but also the economics of purpose, politics, health and global cooperation, and ethics in the use of new technologies.

Question: We know that throughout your professional career you have always held leadership positions in the most varied sectors of the market. In this sense, what importance does it have for you, and in your career, to assume this responsibility?

Answer: When I decided to accept this challenge, what motivated me the most was the opportunity to strategically reposition the Estoril Conferences, having the opportunity to work closely with the new generations, involving them in the design of the program, as a way of inspiring them to act. Also being able to lead a project with international ambition, interacting with very interesting people who constantly bring new perspectives and ideas.

Question: Because you have always been an active and career-dedicated woman, at some point did you feel forced to neglect your personal life to the detriment of your professional one, or vice versa?

Answer: The truth is that I have never neglected my personal life, I have three young children who require a lot of attention, and I always wanted to be there. I love having an active professional life, but I have always chosen projects or organizations that allow me to have autonomy with responsibility in the presentation of results, in a flexible work model. Of course, there were times when I had to pay more attention to my professional life, especially before big events that I held, but I always managed to have a great balance.

Question: Silvia Rodriguez's leadership style has the mission of inspiring young people to action. How, as Executive Director, do you convey this message?

Answer: Whenever I can and have the opportunity to interact with the new generations, I promote a very open, relaxed, but assertive and practical way of dialoguing with a focus on results. I believe that it is by setting an example that others are inspired to follow a model of action that we want to provoke. Giving the opportunity to actively participate with their ideas and visions, involving them in the decisions and strategy to be followed, being part of the project.

Question: The pandemic that we are still going through has forced all people – and companies – to reformulate their goals. For Silvia Rodriguez, as a leader, and as a woman, what has changed?

Answer: I feel that my way of seeing life has changed, with a greater focus on purpose, and relativizing the problems and difficulties we experience daily, seeing them more as learning and evolution challenges. There is also a greater focus on being more human and available to others, both in business and in our personal lives.

Question: It is true that we have been witnessing more and more gender parity within organizations, with many women currently occupying leadership positions. Do you believe that gender equality remains a necessary social transformation? Why?

Answer: Yes, although there is already a greater balance in organizations and boards, I believe that there is still room for us to evolve in Portugal in this issue of parity. In multinationals we have seen this happening, but there are still many companies and national institutions where the vast majority of top positions are occupied by men, where women do not have the opportunity to be part of the design of the strategy, appearing more in operational areas, even if still occupying leadership positions in these areas.

Question: Finally, what is the secret to following a successful path both professionally and personally?

Answer: I would say being true to yourself, with all your flaws and qualities, in a clear and objective life mission that is to never stop growing and evolving. The secret may lie in getting to know each other well as the person we are and respecting our limits to find a balance in both professional and personal areas.

This interview was originally published in Pontos de Vista. – It is in Portuguese.

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