European Coordination Committee
Each region is appointed with a Regional Coordinator of BPW International and a dedicated team which forms the European Coordination Committee (ECC) for each triennium. The regional coordinators are elected during the General Assembly of BPW International and are in charge to coordinate all matters with the Affiliate Federations in their region.
Anu Viks (ESTONIA)
Regional Coordinator Europe 2021 - 2024
My homeland is Estonia, a lovely seaside country in North-East of Europe with innovative mind and creative people.
I am the member of BPW Estonia since 2002 and have been the President of my local Tallinn Club for three years and the President of BPW Estonia 2015-2018.
>> read more
My first connection with BPW was through the BPW Europe Conference that took place in Tallinn Estonia in 2000. I was involved as a young help to host different delegations who arrived to the Conference. Since then I have been a devoted member of BPW.
My professional life has carried me through several different paths. I have been involved in the international road transport business for 25 years. Road transport or haulage is one of the most regulated fields of economy in Europe and has given me numerous opportunities to learn and develop my leadership skills.
I can say I have the “kaleidoscope” career – besides working in the road transport industry I have been an teacher of languages for children, author of several study books, editor, guide and at present the trainer and I have my own business Gallo Coffee, where I and my daughter import and sell Italian coffee with the brand name “Gallo”.
In 2018 I joined the BPW Europe Leadership and Lifelong Learning Taskforce as the Trainer https://bpw-lll.weebly.com/ and have carried out many successful training programs in life and virtually
>> Show less
Guðrún S. Jakobsdóttir (Iceland)
Finance officer for BPW-Europe 2019 – 2022
I am an acknowledged accountant. I worked as an office manager for a construction company in Reykjavik for 23 years. And now I am the accountant for Specialtours ehf, a company in the tourist business, sailing out for Whale Watching and Northern Lights.
>> read more
I have been a member of BPW Reykjavik since 1997. I have all this time been an active member, been a board member, as secretary, vice president and president from 2013 to 2016.
I love following the aims of BPW, the international network – connecting women from all over the world together, by being inspired, being powerful and being BPW.
I hope to give my best to BPW-Europe during my term as the finance officer.
>> Show less
Carmen Taheny (IRELAND)
ECC Secretary BPW Europe 2021 – 2024
I was born in Galway Ireland; I work as a Corporate Account Manager for
a Children’s Charity. I am married to Tom and I have 3 daughters.
>> read more
2004. I became a member of BPW Galway.
2005/2006 -Chair of the BPW Business Women of the year awards.
2009- to Present: Joined the board of the National Executive of BPW Ireland as Club Representative and European and International officer to BPW Ireland.
I report on all European and International BPW events to the BPW clubs in Ireland.
President, BPW Galway
2010 – 2011
- As President of BPW Galway I was actively involved in co-ordinating many events for the Club and its members including; The Business Women of the Year awards as well as the Career Woman of the Year Awards, liaising with key contacts in businesses and the City and County Enterprise Boards. I also assisted in the organisation of the yearly summer lunch for the club, which involves 200 city businesswomen attending a networking and social event for members and guests.
National President of the Business Professional Women’s Club (BPW)
April 2012-2015. April 2017 – 2019.
- BPW is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in over 80 countries. Its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women.
As National President I am also a European Delegate for the club. This requires me to travel to BPW meetings abroad to represent Ireland at an international level.
BPW Galway Club Secretary
January 2016 – January 2019.
Conference Ambassador for Fáilte Ireland
January 2014-Present
- As a result of the securing of this highly regarded International event for Galway the 16th BPW European Conference, I was appointed as Conference Ambassador for Fáilte Ireland and I represent Galway and Ireland on an International Stage.
Director, National Breast Cancer Research Institute
2005-2009
- Throughout my time with NBCRI I developed a keen interest in fundraising and charity work, creating many contacts and relationships with key donors, which greatly contributed to my many successes.
Networking Portfolio includes;
Esteemed member of both Galway Chamber of Commerce and Galway Rotary Club
>> Show less
Alice Minuto (Italy)
ECC European Young Representative 2021 – 2024
I graduated in Economics with a master’s degree in Financial Markets at the University of Genoa. My professional career in steel industry started during the university years and continue till today.
>> read more
The technical skills and the determination led me to achieve leadership positions, and my challenge is to get the best result combining private life with my daughter and high performance at the job place.
My passion for women’s rights led me to join in FIDAPA – BPW Italy championing the motto “Women for Women” and becoming the Young representative for my district and mentor for young people who want to push their business careers. Moreover, I have been coordinator of the project “Steel Women: gender equality in leadership” (goal #5) and “Visit Nepal for BPW” (goal #11)”
>> Show less
Sheerah Kim (Switzerland)
Communication Officer
I’m proud to join the ECC as of September 2021 for this triennium and to design and implement a communication strategy. “Going international” feels very natural to me, since I’ve been working for a global reinsurance company for 14 years and been exposed to many cultures and mindsets.
>> read more
I took on new challenges by relocating to Singapore in 2019 for about 2 years. And although, I was in midst of my duty as member of Board of BPW Club Zurich, this career move was fully supported by my fellow board colleagues and we unanimously agreed to conduct all meetings henceforth through Skype. Currently, I’m the official delegate of Young BPW Switzerland, member in BPW Singapore and BPW Club Zurich and technical facilitator of BPW Leadership and Lifelong Learning Taskforce.
I built a strong strategy acumen as Senior Analyst Corporate Strategy Development since 2015. Besides strategy, I bring a very structured and solution-oriented approach to each discussion, I am proficient in data analytics, project management and leading workshops and trainings on leadership topics. I am very approachable and filled with good vibes, but also a true and tough business woman. I believe in progress, integrity and collaborative high performing teams – “becoming smarter together”. Personality tests will tell you that I am an organizer and thruster, an explorer and promoter, which fits nicely for my position in the ECC.
>> Show less