Join Qiao Zhang, Deputy Director of Executive Programs at ESMT Berlin, for an engaging conversation with current female MBA students. Together, they reflected on the barriers women still face in advancing to senior roles and why greater representation is essential, especially in the age of AI. Through their personal stories and international perspectives, the speakers shared insights on navigating challenges, building confidence, and finding paths into leadership. The session will also touch on how business education can support women in building the skills and confidence to advance their careers. ---- 00:00: Introduction to women in leadership and breaking the glass ceiling 06:29: Why women remain underrepresented in senior leadership 08:20: Personal experiences with gender bias and leadership barriers 11:30: The importance of female role models and mentors 16:09: Workplace culture, confidence, and systemic bias 20:43: Industry stereotypes and representation in leadership 22:35: Internal barriers, ambition, and self-limiting beliefs 26:10: Gender bias in education, negotiation, and career development 30:30: Women, leadership, and workplace equality in Germany 33:43: Gender pay gaps, salary transparency, and career progression 39:36: Building confidence, leadership skills, and executive presence 49:19: How to negotiate promotions, raises, and career opportunities 55:36: Networking, sponsorship, and career advancement 56:22: Why choose ESMT Berlin and MBA career transformation ---- ESMT Berlin is a leading global business school with its campus in the heart of Berlin. Founded by 25 global companies, ESMT offers master, MBA, and PhD programs, as well as executive education on its campus in Berlin, in locations around the world, online, and in online blended format. Focusing on leadership, innovation, and analytics, its diverse faculty publishes outstanding research in top academic journals. Additionally, the international business school provides an interdisciplinary platform for discourse between politics, business, and academia. ESMT is a non-profit private institution of higher education with the right to grant PhDs and is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and ZEvA. It is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all its activities and communities. Connect with ESMT Berlin: Visit our website: https://esmt.berlin/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/esmt Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esmtberlin/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESMTBerlin.org/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@esmtberlin