Over the past two days, Bucharest became a space of dialogue, inspiration, and empowerment, as Women in CemCo: International Congress EMEA 2025 brought together some of the most remarkable women shaping the future of the cement, concrete, and construction industries.

Hosted by Industry Link, the event celebrated leadership, innovation, and resilience; but above all, it celebrated connection.

When Women Meet, Industries Evolve

There’s something extraordinary that happens when women meet.
When they share stories of challenge and success, when they listen to each other’s experiences, when they realize that leadership can be both strong and compassionate, change begins.

Women in CemCo International Congress EMEA 2025 was not only about presentations and panels. It was about creating a network of women who lift each other up, inspire each other to take the next step, and remind one another that empowerment starts with connection.

Across two days, the congress offered a powerful mix of learning, sharing, and reflection — uniting voices from Europe, Asia, and South America around a shared goal: to build a more inclusive and sustainable CemCo world.

Highlights from the Program

Day 1 – October 16 | The InterContinental Athénée Palace, Bucharest

The Women in CemCo: International Congress EMEA 2025 officially commenced at the InterContinental Athénée Palace, bringing together professionals, leaders, and experts from across the cement, concrete, and construction industries.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Beatrice Ene, Managing Director and Head of Events at Industry Link, who emphasized the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment among women in traditionally male-dominated sectors. In her speech, she highlighted the central mission of the congress: to create meaningful opportunities for women to connect, exchange perspectives, and build stronger professional communities.

The opening day provided a setting for registration, introductions, and informal networking. Participants had the opportunity to engage in initial discussions, share experiences, and set the foundation for the sessions and panels scheduled for the following day. The tone was one of collaboration and shared purpose — focused on advancing leadership, innovation, and inclusivity across the CemCo value chain.

Day 2 – October 17 | Evenimento 5 Conference Space, Bucharest

The second day featured the core program of the congress, held at the Evenimento 5 Conference Space. The agenda combined technical expertise, leadership insights, and cross-regional perspectives, underscoring the diverse contributions of women across the global CemCo sector.

The day opened with a welcome address by Beatrice Ene, followed by Session 1: Leadership and Mindful Strength, featuring:

• Negotiation Skills Training – Beatrice Ene, Managing Director and Head of Events, Industry Link (Romania)

• Empowering Leadership: Women in Heavy Industries (Emerging India Scenario) – Malini Chatterjee, VP & Head of HR, VICAT Group (India)

• From Site Risks to Strategic Resilience – Fatima Tekin, Corporate Risk & Business Continuity Manager, CIMPOR (Turkey)

• Mindful Leadership in Tough Environments – Diana Ghosn, Group Health & Safety Manager, SECIL (Portugal)

These sessions explored key dimensions of leadership — from confidence and negotiation to resilience and mindfulness — providing practical tools and personal reflections on navigating complex professional environments.

After a networking and coffee break, Session 2 focused on Sustainability and Collaboration across Europe, with contributions from:

• Magdalena Herbik, BIBM – Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry

• Grazia Bertagnoli, ERMCO – European Ready Mixed Concrete Organization

• Athina Papakosta, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV – HS2 London Tunnels (UK)

• Hildegard Brandl, Managing Director, UNITH2B; Board Member, CONAF

Discussions centered on the strategic role of women in driving sustainability, policy development, and innovation within the CemCo ecosystem, emphasizing collaboration as a catalyst for systemic change.

In the afternoon, Session 3 addressed Vision and Transformation, highlighting the intersection of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility:

• Ela Falca, Founder & Lead Architect, Pro Architectura (Romania)

• Rodica Lupu, CEO, Loop Operations; Director, TEC Cluster (Romania)

• Luciane Mello, HR, Communication & Sustainability Executive Manager, Cimento Apodi (Brazil) – prerecorded session

Their presentations reflected diverse professional perspectives, all converging on the same message: transformation in heavy industries begins with vision, inclusivity, and shared commitment.

The congress concluded with closing remarks and a collective sense of accomplishment. Over the two days, Women in CemCo EMEA 2025 demonstrated how connection and collaboration among women can strengthen not only individual careers, but the future of an entire industry.

A Wrap, and a Beginning

As we wrap up Women in CemCo: International Congress EMEA 2025, one message stands above all: empowerment grows when women meet, listen, and lead together.

The congress leaves behind more than shared knowledge; it leaves behind a community. A network of women committed to driving transformation with strength, empathy, and purpose.