Executive Education Business Afterhours #8: Growth Lessons from Women Leaders

Starting at 16:30, speakers will share their perspectives on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth:

• Rethinking Female Leadership – Olga Kazaka

How are expectations of leaders changing in today’s society? Olga will explore how modern leadership paradigms are evolving, what unites Latvia’s strongest women leaders in business, and what lessons their experiences offer for everyone. Her talk will challenge common assumptions about female leadership and highlight what we may have misunderstood about it.

• Your Inner Board: Leading Yourself to Lead Others – Yana Tiefbenkel

Leadership often breaks down not because of missing skills, but because of uncoordinated inner dynamics. Yana will explore how different aspects of personality influence leadership behavior, and why effective leadership begins with strong self-leadership. The session will offer practical insights on cultivating inner governance to navigate complex decisions and relationships.

• Breaking In: Launching a Startup in Energy Without Prior Experience – Egija Gailuma

What does it take to enter a completely new industry and build a business from scratch? Egija will share her journey of creating ventures in the energy sector, discussing the challenges, risks, and opportunities of entrepreneurship in a fast-changing market. Her talk will offer real-life lessons on resilience, learning by doing, and leading outside one’s comfort zone.

At 18:00, the event will continue with a panel discussion featuring all three speakers, bringing together their experiences and insights into an open conversation on leadership.

From around 19:00, join us for informal networking in the lobby – an opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow professionals.

About the speakers:

Dr. Sc. comm. Olga Kazaka is the co-founder and partner of the award-winning communications agency Olsen+Partners, the author of First PR Book, and a frequent keynote speaker and lecturer. With 25+ years of experience in corporate and leadership communications, she has made a significant impact on the industry.

Yana Tiefbenkel is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC, ICF) with over 1,000 hours of coaching practice, working with leaders, managers, and teams across business, academia, and the cultural and creative industries in more than 10 countries. Since 2023, she has been a business coach in the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development mentoring programme for female entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan. Her work focuses on coaching-based leadership, self-leadership in complex environments, and women’s empowerment across professional and personal contexts.

Yana holds an MBA in Creative Industries (Latvia) and an MSc in Marketing Management (UK), and is currently completing a PhD in Business Management at the University of Latvia and RISEBA University of Applied Sciences.

Egija Gailuma is an entrepreneur passionate about energy, technology, and building impactful brands. She is the founder of Engycell, a company providing on-demand energy flexibility services, focused on creating smarter and more sustainable energy solutions. Previously, she co-founded and scaled OX Drive, one of the fastest-growing car-sharing brands in the Baltics, which was successfully acquired by CarGuru in 2024. In 2025, Egija was featured on the Sifted and Station F “Top 100 Women in Tech in Europe” list, recognizing her contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship. She continues to develop ventures that combine sustainability, technology, and practical solutions for modern industries.