Overview:
- The 18th BPW Conference united delegates from 30+ countries in Valletta, Malta, from May 23rd to 25th.
- The year’s theme “Breaking Barriers: Drive Your Own Success!” explored the future of work, technology, leadership, and cross-border collaboration.
- Highlights included keynotes from changemakers, interactive workshops, and vibrant cultural exchanges that deepened connections.
- The momentum sparked in Malta continues through allyship, dialogue, and a global commitment to progress.
From May 23 to 25, 2025, the city of Valletta buzzed with energy, purpose, and possibility. Delegates from over 30 countries gathered at the 18th BPW European Regional Conference, filling the historic halls of the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) with voices, ideas, and passion. The theme “BREAKING BARRIERS: Drive Your Own Success!” set the tone for a weekend grounded in courage, connection, and forward momentum.
Located in the heart of the Mediterranean with English as an official language, Malta provided an ideal cultural and geographic setting. Attendees spanned generations and professions—policy leaders, entrepreneurs, students, creatives, and more—all representing BPW chapters across Europe, Asia, America, and beyond. The conference came to life thanks to the heartfelt leadership of Mariella Camilleri, President of BPW Valletta, whose commitment to creating a space of inclusion and impact was felt in every detail.
A Legacy of Advocacy, A Future of Action
Business and Professional Women (BPW) International was founded in 1930 with the vision of Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips. The organization has strived to unite women professionals globally for the purpose of seeking economic independence, equal opportunity, and leadership development. It now boasts a presence in over 100 countries and holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Their partnership also extends to organizations like UN Women, UNESCO, and the ILO. Yet its power doesn’t lie in its size or status alone; it lies in its people.
Europe, as BPW’s strongest regional arm, boasts more than 18,000 members across nearly 31 countries. The 2025 conference not only celebrated this strength but also explored new ways to fortify it through programming, policy engagement, and mentorship—three of the key concepts guiding this year’s agenda.
Themes That Shape the Future
The conference’s four thematic pillars served as both compass and catalyst, guiding attendees through bold conversations on the future of leadership, technology, collaboration, and self-empowerment. Each session fused practical insight with a personal call to action, leaving delegates energized and equipped to drive meaningful change.
Future Focus: The Workplace of Tomorrow
As the future of work shifts, this theme examined the evolving dynamics of leadership, intergenerational collaboration, and career landscapes.
Panels like “What I’m Afraid Of” created space for vulnerability, while standout workshops such as “Unlock Your Leadership Potential” by Ester Eomois, Chair of Management at the Estonian Business School, and “Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Working Life Change” by Dr. Anne Gustafsson-Pesonen, Director of Learning at the University of Tampere, and Jenni Valta from BPW Finland, challenged participants to reimagine their own growth.
Digitalisation: Tools for Tomorrow, Today
Technology’s impact on leadership took center stage, with discussions ranging from AI to cybersecurity tools and their evolving role. A fireside chat titled “Women Leading Through Technology” unpacked the digital gender gap and leadership readiness in an age of automation.
The session “AI and Globalization: Empowering Leaders to Shape the Future of Work”, led by Larisa Miller, CEO of Phoenix Global Holdings, stood out for its clarity and passion. Delegates left with both technical insight and renewed confidence to lead innovation ethically and inclusively.
Globalisation: Empowering Women Across Borders
This pillar tackled one of BPW’s core missions: international collaboration. Hon. Rebecca Buttigieg, Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, delivered a memorable video address encouraging women to transcend borders—physically, professionally, and mentally.
Workshops like “Own the Journey” by life coach Dolores Andrew and “The Secrets to Engagement and Collaboration” by Francesca Burack, Vice President of Membership at BPW International, and Izadora Zonari, BPW International Young Representative, reflected the conference’s inclusive, intersectional spirit. Attendees explored real-world strategies to bridge cultural gaps and lead global teams with empathy.
Celebrate Our Superpowers: Unleash What Lies Within
The final pillar reminded attendees that inner growth is foundational to outward impact. Workshops such as “The Courage to Disappoint” by Christiana Genie, Founder of Inner Growth Academy, and “Women’s Rights: From Girls to Governance” led by Pinella Bombaci Chair of EWG Charter of the Girl’s Rights, and Eufemia Ippolito, Chair of EWG Women on Board, offered space for personal reflection. The session emphasized that self-trust and emotional resilience are vital to breaking barriers, both internal and external.
Moments That Mattered—Program Highlights from Valletta
The event featured symbolic and memorable moments alongside the thematic tracks. The opening ceremony featured Hon. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, giving a keynote address, reminding delegates that true leadership is rooted in inclusivity.
Delegates were also invited to a presidential reception organized by H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, in the charming setting of San Anton Gardens, which was more than a gesture of hospitality; it was a powerful symbol of Malta’s commitment to gender equality on the world stage.
The Young BPW Symposium ran parallel to the main program, empowering next-gen leaders through hands-on sessions such as “How to Speak as You Lead.” Discussions around generational dialogue and digital fluency laid the groundwork for continued engagement beyond the event.
Cultural events, including the Gala Dinner at La Valette Hall and the Farewell Party on the Grand Harbour Terrace, fused celebration with connection. These gatherings reminded everyone that community isn’t just built in boardrooms but over shared vision and shared joy.
A Forum for Shared Impact and Lasting Change
While the panels and receptions provided immense value, the true impact of the BPW European Conference lies in what happens next. Every handshake was a seed of potential collaboration. Every workshop, a spark of possibility.
Meaningful relationships were built not just in the rooms but in the energy that lingered after. A conference is only as powerful as the follow-ups it inspires: through intentional outreach, active listening, and the pursuit of genuine connection.
Whether it’s a thoughtful email, a shared article, or a plan to reconnect, small gestures can sustain the momentum sparked in Malta. True networking is built when we listen to understand, share thoughtfully, and follow up with purpose.
Reflections from Malta—Carrying the Torch Forward
As the final goodbyes echoed across the Grand Harbour, what remained was more than applause; it was conviction. The BPW European Conference 2025 reminded every attendee that empowerment is a living, breathing commitment.
Even as speakers and attendees, we found ourselves deeply moved. Through every conversation, we witnessed the power of vulnerability, curiosity, and shared purpose.
The ideas sparked in Malta will ripple outward, inspiring a new generation of women leaders. BPW’s global growth is guided by a strong belief: women’s leadership strengthens communities, their connections drive innovation, and their success uplifts others. For anyone seeking to be part of something greater, the BPW community offers not just a network but a movement worth joining.
