IWD 2026 - The Role and Impact of Women in Media

Who tells the story shapes the world.

Media sets the agenda. Despite shifts in consumer attention away from traditional media channels, the structural influence of these institutions over capital allocation, policy formation, and the construction of authority remains significant. In a world where narrative drives decision-making, from boardrooms to trading floors, the question of who shapes that narrative is not a soft issue. It is a strategic one.

And yet, the numbers tell a stark story. According to the 2025 Global Media Monitoring Project, women make up half the global population but account for just 26% of all news subjects and sources. The Reuters Institute's 2025 report found that while women represent roughly 40% of newsroom staff across 12 markets, they hold only 27% of editor-in-chief positions, up from just 23% in 2020. In film, women accounted for only 23% of key behind-the-scenes roles on the top 250 grossing films in 2025, with just 13% of directors and 7% of cinematographers being women.

These gaps matter. Understanding who is in those rooms and what perspectives are missing is not social responsibility, it's competitive intelligence.

We are welcoming leading experts to our panel

Henriette Engbersen; Head of the Public Value Department; SRG SSR

Doris Fiala; Politician; President, Board Member, Entrepreneur; Zurich Film Festival, Port Real Estate Development AG

Dr. Christina H. Henkel; Advisor, Board Professional, Speaker, Investor; Skyadvisory, EqualVoice (Ringier)

Olivia Kinghorst; International Moderator & MC; CNN, Business Insider, Forbes

Anne-Barbara Luft; Editor; Bilanz

Sandra-Stella Triebl; Founder & Publisher; Ladies Drive

Topics of the evening

This is a conversation about influence, impact, and the power of getting the story right.

Influence and access: How women are gaining authority in media and what it takes to stay there.

Lessons from the front line: Real stories of ambition, setbacks, and what it takes to build a career with impact.

Media as a market force: How narratives shape investment decisions, public trust, and entire industries.

The path forward: A clear-eyed look at where progress stands and what still needs to change.

Who this is for

Individuals who understand that narrative is strategy. Join us for a candid conversation.

Agenda

6:00 pm – Doors open

6:30 pm – Welcome

6:35 pm – Panel discussion

7:30 pm – Q&A

7:45 pm – Closing remarks

7:50 pm – Networking & Apéro

9:00 pm – Doors close

Our community is open to all genders.

WISF. LEADING WITH IMPACT.

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