On June 19, 2024, at Fausto’s in Budapest, the female leaders of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Hungary — key figures shaping the future of business — gathered to share their perspectives on the rise of AI, the challenges of the energy transition, and the role of conscious leadership. The event also marked the official season closing of IoD Hungary.
The summer launch gathering, moderated by Györgyi Kristóf, President of IoD Hungary and CEO of Hammel & Hochreiter, brought together top professionals and future norm-setters for a champagne-filled afternoon of dialogue. Renowned leaders reflected on the paths that led to their success, the obstacles they faced, and how they have earned their place as women on international platforms.
The female members of IoD Hungary are not only influential figures in the business world — they are award-winning, exemplary leaders actively shaping both economic and societal norms.
At Fausto’s Winter Garden & Summer Terrace, winners of prestigious honors such as EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year and the Manager Association’s Manager of the Year special award, held an insightful conversation on the future of leadership, energy, and conscious decision-making.
Guest of honor Dr. Anita Orbán, Vodafone’s Global Head of Government Affairs and ESG Portfolio, shared her professional journey from Berettyóújfalu — recounting how early uncertainty eventually led her to a PhD and a path that brought her to lecture at some of the world’s top universities. In May 2024, Dr. Orbán was honored as the first recipient of the Global Leadership Award, founded jointly by the Hungarian Manager Association and IoD Hungary, and received her award on the stage of the Hungarian State Opera House.
Following her opening keynote, further discussions explored the diverse routes to leadership. Éva Hegedüs, Co-Founder, Chair and CEO of Gránit Bank, and Hungary’s 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, shared her experiences and reflections. She proudly represented Hungary as the first woman to compete in the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 finals in Monte Carlo. “It doesn’t matter whether a leader is a man or a woman,” she noted. “And not every man or woman needs to become a leader.”
The conversation continued in a dynamic roundtable format, where other distinguished members of IoD Hungary — all influential voices in the national business landscape — offered insight into their professional journeys and forward-looking career choices. Among them were Lidike Demján Sándorné, Éva Hegedüs, Zsófia Beck (Global Head of Integrated Energy Utility at BCG), Mónika Pais (Managing Director at Diageo), Anita Simon (Deputy CEO of ALTEO), Kitti Dobi (Deputy CEO and CHRO at MBH Bank), and Julianna Kulczycki (European Operations Head and Country Manager at OKG). Each brought a unique perspective on how to lead with vision, resilience, and intent.
The professional program concluded with remarks from Kitti Dobi, the newly appointed board member of IoD Hungary, who spoke passionately about her commitment to the Empower Women program. In her new role, she will oversee the strategic development of the organization’s women’s leadership section.
Beginning this autumn, IoD Hungary will launch a dedicated mentoring and workshop series for female leaders at MBH Bank, organized in collaboration with accredited IoD members and partners — further strengthening a values-based leadership community in Hungary.
The season-closing event was made possible through the support of MBH Bank, whose partnership provided a meaningful platform to celebrate achievements and reinforce future-focused cooperation.
This was not just the end of a business season — it was a reaffirmation that shared values such as responsibility, leading by example, generosity, and awareness are the true foundation for shaping the future.
