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Women Leaders: Dr. Jana Marin on Macedonia 2025 Summit

21.10.2016

Women Leaders: Dr. Jana Marin on Macedonia 2025 Summit

Dr. Jana Marin, a Member of the Board of Directors of Acibadem Sistina Hospital, attended the Macedonia 2025 Summit. She was speaker in the Session 10: “Required role of women as leaders towards a sustainable future”. The session included discussion on several issues such as the challenges of women leaders, the advantages/disadvantages of being a woman when climbing the corporate ladder, the stereotypes and biases of successful women and many other issues working women are facing, especially on the way to the top.

Dr. Marin raised the issue of disrespect for women at every level and identified it as a major drawback of the Macedonian society:

“We need to work on developing more respect for women in every sense. Because a society can grow only if women are respected and valued for their unique contributions to it. And we need to do it together, both men and women. “

She further talked about her experience as a female leader, the different perception of men as opposed to women leaders, the challenges she faces being on a high profile position and the required support of the society to create conditions for women development:

Concluding, she elaborated on Acibadem Sistina’s enviorment and its supporting conditions for professional development:

“I have been lucky to work in a company where 70 % of its managers are women. It is a professional setting where people advance based on merit and achivements. And at the same time its a place where women are welcomed and prefered for many positions. And that was very empowering. I am grateful for that and I wish to see more companies like that in Macedonia.“ explained Dr. Marin.

Ana Arsov, who is Associate Managing Director at Moody’s Financial Institutions Group in USA, outlined the three main characteristics that ensure success in every woman who aspires to be successful in what she does. These characteristics are competence, hard work and integrity.

“If men and women possessed these three characteristics, the emotional intelligence is another advantage that would make women better and that is unique to women. Don’t forget to use it” explained Arsov.

Judging from her previous experience, Slavica Waite, PhD who is a Director of PEC International and founder of the “Kiril Trajkovski Foundation“, indicated that people are not used to seeing women in leading positions.

“Many times during work meetings, I was the only woman at the table so clients often thought that I was the secretary or translator. People are not accustomed to seeing women as leaders” explained Waite, PhD

The moderator of the session, Aleksandra Nakјeva Ruzin, who is the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in Sweden, noted that gender inequality is present worldwide and that where women are paid less than men. In addition, women work temporary jobs wherein their skills cannot be fully utilized. Ruzin noted that according to recent studies, women earn averagely 20% less than men.

The Fifth Summit, organized by “Macedonia 2025”, was held on 20 and 21 October. During these two days, Skopje was the regional center where the latest global trends in business, investment, finance, leadership, innovation and technology could be heard. Over 250 guests attended the Summit and over 40 speakers from more than 25 countries worldwide gave their speeches.