PANDA x Volkswagen:
Female Empowerment
Women in leadership positions – even nowadays still a topic that is often neglected. This is precisely why PANDA, the Women Leadership Network, exists: For female leaders and those who would like to become one.
In cooperation with Volkswagen, regular events are organised to help women reach their professional goals. Because that is PANDA's big goal: equal opportunities and possibilities for all, so that the desire for 50 % women in management positions in the industry is within reach. This is to be achieved above all through joint, cross-sectoral exchange – female empowerment at the highest level.
Regular meet-ups and other networking and exchange opportunities are a core element of this. They ensure that valuable contacts and job opportunities in leadership positions arise time and again. One of these events is the PANDA New Mobility Lab, a networking event for women with integrated leadership training, which was set up in cooperation with Volkswagen. The agenda includes exciting lectures, lively discussions and inspiring training on all topics that play an important role in leadership positions.
Around 80 women from the New Mobility sector attended the last event in the Autostadt Wolfsburg and exchanged ideas, including Johanna Kopp. She works as a sub-department head in electronics development at Volkswagen and is involved with PANDA to promote women in leadership positions. She sees an absolute benefit for both sides in the cooperation with Volkswagen: "I think it is a symbiosis and thus an added value for both to have a group of young, great women who meet regularly, exchange ideas, inspire and support each other. That can actually only be beneficial for everyone.”
One piece of advice for aspiring female leaders, shared by many of the participants, is not to get discouraged and to allow for new paths and challenges.
Dare to dream and act, don't be afraid, go for it and ask for help!Bita DaryanVolkswagen Group Strategy
Head of Recruiting and Talent Marketing Tina Hasper-Vandrey is also excited about the partnership with PANDA and proud to share her experience with the other women: "I'm happy that in my role as a leader in recruiting, I can make a little difference to open more doors for other leaders."
As part of the PANDA New Mobility Lab 2022, she delivered an inspiring keynote motivating and highlighting that there is still a lot of capacity for women in leadership positions. It is important to trust in oneself and one's abilities, not to be afraid to prove one's potential and to use the network offered for what it is meant for: exchange at eye level and preferably as often as possible. Because at PANDA – in an environment of successful, cosmopolitan women – the building blocks for the future are set. There are no professional taboo topics, because whether personal experiences, wishes or goals for equal opportunities, for the PANDA network female empowerment comes first.
