The Círculo Ecuestre hosted the second edition of the "Women who Inspire" series, an initiative created with the aim of highlighting women leaders in their respective professional fields and creating a space for dialogue on leadership, social transformation, and equality. This time, three prominent voices participated: Montserrat Bernabeu, co-director of the Institut Guttmann; Ainhoa Grandes, president of the Fundació MACBA; and Maite Casademunt, president and creative director of LOLA CASADEMUNT.
A forum for reflection with a female perspective
The session began with a presentation by Isabel Estany, vice president of the Círculo Ecuestre's Cultural Department, who emphasized the importance of creating spaces for reflection on gender equality and female leadership. The moderation was led by journalist and editor Eva Moll, who guided the conversation around three thematic areas: progress and challenges in addressing the gender gap, effective equality policies, and keys to empowering new generations.
Dr. Bernabeu offered a critical perspective based on her experience in the healthcare sector. She pointed out that, in the Catalan public health system (SISCAT), women represent 65% of the workforce, but only 37% reach senior management positions. She also denounced the fact that women still bear the burden of family roles and that many suffer from the so-called "imposter syndrome", which limits their professional development. "We think that to hold a management position we must meet all the requirements, but that's not always the case. You can learn along the way", she stated.
Furthermore, she reflected on the lack of female role models in positions of power and emphasized that female leadership is often built on active listening, teamwork, and consensus. "You can play the victim or the leader: leadership is an attitude", she concluded.
From her experience in the foundation field, Ainhoa Grandes praised the regulatory advances that have allowed Spain to reach 10th place in the World Economic Forum's ranking for gender equality. However, she warned that boards of trustees remain dominated by men, despite the fact that the sector's workforce is predominantly made up of women.
Grandes acknowledged that her view on gender quotas in companies has changed over time. She also raised the need to transform the cultural structures that hinder women's access to positions of responsibility, especially due to the burden of work-life balance. "We have to force these changes and detach ourselves from many things", she stated, adding that new generations of men "are already actively contributing to rebalancing these dynamics."
From the business and creative world, Maite Casademunt championed the role of women in her company, where female leadership is part of its DNA. "We are a company created by women and made for women", she noted. Despite this, she warned that glass ceilings persist in many organizations.
Casademunt emphasized that the key to moving toward true equality lies in promoting training, flexibility, and talent regardless of gender. She also shared her own formula for success: “Get training. Be passionate about what you do. Work, work, and a little more work. And surround yourself with people who love you.”