Women leaders from IDEX gathered in September for a three-day executive leadership program at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in the Netherlands. The agenda covered a variety of topics, including the significance of network building and politics, leading with authenticity, and leveraging emotional intelligence.
Organized by IDEX leaders in Europe, the annual Women in Leadership (WinL) conference aims to support their female colleagues and invest in their professional growth. Over the last five years, there have been 71 attendees – initially only from Europe and now from North America and Asia.
“The program is evolving to become increasingly global and impactful. Many attendees have taken on leadership roles within Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), while others have dedicated themselves to coaching and mentoring emerging female leaders at IDEX,” Program Organizer and VP of Human Resources Eric Streets said. “We’ve heard the phrase ‘life-changing’ mentioned repeatedly, and it’s clear that participants return from this thought-provoking and sometimes challenging experience, energized and prepared to drive meaningful change.”
When asked about the advantages of participating in WinL, attendees shared their insights:
Julie Felix, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The insights shared by the incredible speakers, many of whom have delivered TED Talks, challenged my thinking and inspired me to take bold action in my career and personal life.
A session led by Dr. Stephanie Mitrano based on her TED Talk “Emotions at Work,” deeply resonated with me. She emphasized that emotions, often viewed as something to suppress in a professional setting, can actually be a powerful tool for building trust and strengthening relationships within teams.
Her insights challenged the traditional view of leadership. She showed me how embracing vulnerability and emotional awareness can enhance team dynamics and drive better performance. This lesson was transformative for me, as I realized that fostering emotional openness is just as critical as achieving business goals.
Eileen Ruiz, Cost & AP Supervisor, Hale
The benefits of offering programs like WinL to women across the IDEX are immeasurable. This type of training builds a strong network of empowered women leaders who can drive innovation. It fosters inclusive work environments by integrating emotional intelligence as a core leadership trait.
By investing in the development of women, IDEX is not only promoting gender diversity but also building a foundation for stronger leadership. This embodies IDEX values of trust, team and excellence.
Kathrin Kendrick, Director Finance & IT, iPEK
I believe that investing in your employees is always beneficial for an organization as it develops skills and drives employee engagement. This is why I plan on sharing some of the exercises with my own team. The insights I gained will be helpful for employees at any stage of their professional development and regardless of gender. In addition, I am planning to utilize the network I have gained to share practices and processes across our IDEX businesses.