When nearly 300 professionals filled the WPP Campus in Prague for the Femme Palette Leadership and Career Conference 2025, the atmosphere was electric. It was not just another business event. The air buzzed with anticipation, curiosity, and connection. Conversations began long before the first speaker took the stage. People were laughing, exchanging ideas, and sharing stories over coffee.
This was a space for honest dialogue about confidence, burnout, leadership, and everything that shapes how women work and lead today. It was a day about reflection, balance, and courage. Across every session, one idea echoed through the room: leadership is not about authority, it is about awareness, of yourself, of others, and of the impact you make.
The morning opened with psychologist and psychotherapist Eliška Remešová, whose talk “How to Stand Up for Yourself” set the tone for the entire day. Speaking with warmth and clarity, she explored the tension that many women face in professional environments when to speak, when to listen, and how to find confidence without apology.
Her message resonated deeply. Many attendees described the talk as motivating and eye opening. One participant wrote that it was a reminder to use her voice more, while another shared that the talk stayed with her even after the event. Remešová’s session did not deliver slogans; it delivered perspective. It challenged listeners to think differently about confidence as something that can be built through compassion, not perfection.
The conversation about balance and ambition continued with the first panel of the day, “Ambition Without Burnout.” Moderated by Klara Losert, the discussion featured Alice Machová from EY, Michal Hanáček from MOVit Energy, and Veronika Burešová from WPP Media Czech Republic.
These accomplished leaders shared personal stories of exhaustion, therapy, and learning to slow down. They spoke candidly about the expectations women often carry to lead, care, and excel at everything, and how true ambition must include self care. One attendee wrote, “It was nice to hear that even successful people need to slow down.” Others praised the panel for its practical advice on boundaries and delegation.
Then came a talk that became one of the highlights of the day. Hana Rippelová, Vice President at Deutsche Börse, took the stage with “Fail Forward: A Leadership Story Rooted in Reality.” In her talk, she combined humor, humility, and personal experience, sharing how failure shaped her leadership philosophy. Her message was simple and powerful: failure is not the end, it is information.
Audience feedback called the session authentic, full of warmth, and refreshingly real. One comment stood out: “It was inspiring to see a senior leader speak so openly about mistakes.” Rippelová’s talk reminded everyone that resilience is not about avoiding difficulty, but about growing through it.
The afternoon shifted the focus from the individual to the collective, exploring how to build trust, inspire teams, and lead without relying on formal authority.
In the panel “Leading Beyond Titles,” moderated again by Klara Losert, three voices from different sectors came together: Remko Verheul, Vice President of People at Wrike, Šárka Heyna Fuchsová, Managing Director of Volvo Car Czech Republic, and Liina Liiv, Chief Performance Officer at Creative Dock Group.
The panelists discussed leadership as a daily practice built on curiosity, listening, and integrity. Verheul emphasized the importance of empathy and adaptability in leading modern teams. Fuchsová reflected on the balance between visibility and humility, knowing when to step forward and when to give others space. Liiv spoke about leading in creative environments where uncertainty is constant.
Audience feedback described the session as inspiring, relatable, and diverse. One attendee shared that it showed different sides of leadership and made it easier to imagine growing into those roles. The discussion made leadership feel less abstract and more accessible, something anyone could begin practicing today.
The final main stage talk of the day, “Building a Resilient Team: Vision, Culture, and Growth That Lasts,” was delivered by Marv Shamma, founder of Základní škola FLOW. Shamma drew on both research and real experience to explore how to nurture cultures that last beyond individual leaders.
He spoke about the difference between managing and leading, about trust as the foundation of performance, and about creating environments where people can thrive. Several attendees mentioned this as one of their favorite sessions, calling it a great reminder that culture is built through small, consistent actions. It was a thoughtful and uplifting close to a day filled with honesty and courage.
Between talks, attendees explored the Experience Zone, a vibrant space for creativity, relaxation, and discovery. It became the heart of the conference atmosphere, a place to reset and recharge before the next round of insights.
At G Bar, professionals lined up for stylish braids, adding a playful touch to the day. “The Experience Zone was such a nice touch,” one participant shared. “It felt like self care between talks.”
The Licirna booth offered organic makeup and mindful beauty tips, helping guests enhance their natural glow while emphasizing well being. At Lush, attendees could make their own version of the iconic Intergalactic product, learning about the brand’s focus on ethical sourcing and freshness.
For those seeking calm, Ecohaus provided gentle hand massages and aromatherapy experiences that invited attendees to slow down and reconnect with their senses. Meanwhile, Shoptet offered free mentoring for those considering entrepreneurship, guiding them with practical advice and encouragement.
Other partners such as Verra, AOMU, InSync, Lobey, MOVit Energy, Powerlogy, and MG Nutrition showcased their products, while refreshments from JZT Ferments, Joy Bakery, Mattoni, Vinařství Vajbar, and Gingles kept guests energized and inspired.
Upstairs, mentoring sessions brought the core of Femme Palette’s mission to life. Dozens of small groups gathered for focused discussions on leadership, confidence, and career transitions. Several participants mentioned that meeting mentors in person brought the program to life and helped them see how shared experiences can lead to growth.
Femme Palette has already connected more than 1,900 mentees with mentors across the world, with one in four mentees receiving a promotion and nearly one in three changing jobs after completing the program. Those numbers speak volumes about the community’s impact, but what truly defined the mentoring rooms that day was connection, genuine, supportive, and human.
As the sun began to set over Prague, the final conversations of the day carried a sense of warmth and optimism. Attendees gathered for one last coffee, exchanging contacts and takeaways. Many described the event as professional, empowering, and inspiring. They appreciated how personal stories were mixed with actionable advice and how approachable the speakers felt.
The Femme Palette Leadership and Career Conference was not just about professional growth. It was about redefining leadership in a way that includes vulnerability, reflection, and self compassion. It showed that success built on authenticity and empathy can be just as ambitious and far more sustainable.
This year’s conference would not have been possible without our partners: Volvo Car Czech Republic, EY, Wrike, Creative Dock Group, Lush, Spill the Matcha, Kakawco, G Bar, Licirna, Shoptet, Ecohaus, Powerlogy, Verra, InSync, AOMU, Lobey, MG Nutrition, JZT Ferments, Joy Bakery, Mattoni, Vinařství Vajbar, and Gingles.
Each partner added something special, from Volvo’s inspiring perspective on future leadership to Wrike’s continued collaboration on inclusion in technology. Together, they helped create a day of inspiration, reflection, and connection that will stay with attendees long after the last talk ended.
The Femme Palette Conference 2025 did not just talk about leadership, it embodied it. Through honesty, creativity, and community, it reminded everyone present that real leadership begins with courage and grows through connection.
