Women Changing the World Awards – Czech & Slovak 2025 Winners

ALEXANDRA JANEČKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR & MAIN AWARD – WOMAN OF THE YEAR

For most people, diplomacy means receptions, meeting tables, and protocol. For Alexandra Janečková, it means an aircraft ready for take-off, a phone that never stops ringing, and decisions that human lives depend upon.

At the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, she leads the Crisis Management Department and became the first woman in the country’s history to head this department. She has worked in Slovak diplomacy for over seven years, and her work takes place primarily where most people try to never end up – in war and humanitarian crises.

She does not manage negotiations – she manages returns home. She coordinates civilian evacuations, cooperates with the army, European Union crisis centres, and the UN, and communicates directly with people trapped in conflicts.

Her work does not end with a safe return. She also participates in humanitarian missions: she personally accompanies medical evacuations of seriously ill children from Gaza, organizes transport of students and scholarship holders, and ensures delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict areas. She is also behind solidarity initiatives such as the Diplomatic Drop of Blood project.

Diplomacy in her execution is not a representation of the state – it is service to people at the moment when nothing else works anymore. That is why she became the main winner of the Women Changing the World Awards – a symbol that changing the world sometimes simply means getting a person home alive.

PETRA PIRŠELOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN REGIONS

An economist and chairwoman of Matka a dieťa Turca, who has been systematically changing life in the region for twenty years, Petra and her team identify underfunded institutions, connect donors with real needs, and launch long-term change. She proves that when expertise, trust, and humanity are combined, even a small region can function as a strong community.

YVONNE VAVROVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN MEDIA

A director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and educator who has devoted over 35 years to filmmaking and gives voice to overlooked women’s stories and social topics. She has created nearly 80 documentaries and feature films awarded at international festivals, worked abroad, and today shares her experience with students and professionals. Her work transforms image into a tool of conscience.

LILIA KHOUSNOUTDINOVA

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN HEALTH

A woman to whom childbirth truly matters, her work is based on a strong foundation of her studies at Oxford and LSE, which she is now building upon by studying bioethics and health law. Through the Propolis 33 foundation, she strives for healthcare that is not only professional but also respectful and humane. Lilia has provided long-term support for the accessibility of midwifery services, including care for women in difficult social situations. She educates professionals and parents, changes hospital practices, and promotes systemic reform.

KATEŘINA TEREZIE HAVLOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD OF SPORT

A woman who went from being captain of the national team to architect of the future of women’s rugby. After her active career ended, she began systematically building the conditions that she herself lacked as a player – from securing funding for the national team to developing youth structures. Today, she is raising a new generation of girls who no longer have to fight for their place on the field, but can instead focus on performance and the joy of the game.

IVETA SVOBODOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

A farmer and pioneer of organic farming, who has been building a family organic farm in the Jeseníky Mountains for thirty years. From animal husbandry to her own cheese dairy to educational programs for the public, she shows that quality food can be produced locally, sustainably, and with respect for the landscape. She promotes the “from farm to fork” model, and is changing the perception of modern Czech agriculture.

OLGA VONDRÁKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD OF FASHION

A scientist and pioneer of artistic electroplating who combines biological research with innovative jewellery technology. She has developed her own safe methods for plating natural materials, founded the Nature in Drop brand, and passed on her know-how to more than 500 students from around the world. She has transformed a technical method into a new direction in design, and shows that science can be a source of creativity and entrepreneurship.

MARTINA SOKOLÍKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

A police officer and author of the (Un)Safe Network prevention project, which has been educating children and adults about cyber security since 2019. She has created a systematic program of lectures for schools and parents that teaches how to safely guide children through the online world from an early age. Her work stems from her personal experience as a mother.

GABRIELA PRACHAŘOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF SUSTAINABILITY

A hotel manager in the centre of Prague, where she has long been combining economic management with the principles of environmental and social sustainability. She systematically implements measures to reduce energy and water consumption, limit waste, and collaborate with local suppliers, while also building a fair and safe working environment that supports women, foreigners, and refugees in their professional growth.

ALŽBĚTA KRÁLOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF MARKETING

The founder of the Institute of Political Marketing, which has long been professionalizing political communication in Czechia and abroad. She has participated in campaigns ranging from municipal to presidential elections, including collaboration on the presidential campaign in the USA and Emmanuel Macron’s presidential campaign in France. She uses marketing and strategic communication as tools for social change – to build trust, cultivate public debate, and strengthen the representation of women in decision-making roles.

IVANA KOLCUNOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF CULTURE

An aerial acrobat, performer, and bodyfulness therapist who combines the physical strength of acrobatics with emotional deep work and women’s issues. In her original productions, she opens up taboo topics of the body, cyclicality, and trauma, and transforms them into art with a therapeutic impact.

JANA VALUŠOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF ADULT EDUCATION

The founder of the Talent Navigator project and co-owner of the Salmondo educational platform, where she focuses primarily on educating parents, teachers, and career counsellors in the area of recognizing and developing children’s talents. She has created her own P.O.T.E.N.C.I.Á.L. methodology and educational programs, which are now used by hundreds of schools throughout the Czech Republic.

SILVIE KAPPELOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

The founder of the Žabka educational centre and director of a children’s group, where she has been developing a non-directive and respectful approach to children’s education for over 14 years. She combines pedagogy, art, and work with families, demonstrating a functional model of education based on the natural developmental needs of children. She is one of the pioneers of alternative and self-directed education in Czechia. She shows by example that changing the system begins with the courage of individuals to do things differently.

JOHANA KŘÍŽOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK AND CARE FOR OTHERS

Johana has dedicated her professional life to caring for seniors with dementia. After years of practice in Montreal, Canada, she is now bringing modern non-pharmacological approaches to the Czech Republic and educating healthcare professionals and caregivers, helping build relationships with people with dementia that are based on respect, trust, and humanity.

TEREZA ROBINSON

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR

The founder of the organization Srdcem Robinson (With Robinson’s Heart), which she created based on her own experience with her son’s serious illness and the loss of her daughter. She provides systematic support to families of sick children, and raises awareness of the issue of so-called glass children – healthy siblings who are often overlooked in difficult family situations.

EVA GAŽOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD

Eva worked for over 25 years in the Slovak Olympic movement, participated in ten Olympic Games, and decided to fully devote her time and experience to children and athletes with intellectual disabilities. At the helm of Special Olympics Slovakia, she helped build a small civic association into a strong national organization – the number of athletes grew from 50 to more than 1,000, the range of sports from 6 to 23, and the annual budget to support their development has reached almost €1 million.

ANNA PODMANICKÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD YOUNG HOPE (under 25)

A high school student and young scientist who has been researching innovative methods of wastewater treatment and the fight against antibiotic resistance – in collaboration with Masaryk University – for over two years. She co-founded the PURA technology and is a member of the iGEM Brno team, where they use synthetic biology to find more sustainable alternatives to soya, as well as solutions to the impact of agriculture on the climate. At the same time, she popularizes science among children and the public, and proves that age is no barrier to real social impact.

DANUŠE STEINOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD INSPIRING EXPERIENCE (women 65+)

One of the pioneers of active aging and lifelong learning in Czechia, she founded the first University of the Third Age in Prague, built a non-state Centre for Lifelong Learning with thousands of students, and heads the Czech Society for Memory Training. She brought the field of memory training to the Czech Republic, and has trained more than 2,500 professional trainers at home and abroad.

EVA MINÁŘOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE

Eva has long promoted the idea of healthy and sustainable housing as the standard of the future, rather than a luxury. She established the Development Minářová development company, which focuses on modern wooden buildings, and is one of the leading experts in this field in Czechia. She has received the Rigips Trophy, an international professional award given to exceptional construction projects, which means that her projects have stood up to European comparison.

IVA BŘÍZOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF LAW

A lawyer and mediator who founded the project Divorce Without Drama, she has created an approach that combines law, therapy, and mediation so that the separation of partners is not a destructive conflict, but a civilized process with respect for children and future relationships. She has transferred her experience from an internship in San Francisco to the Czech environment, and shows that agreements do not have to remain on paper, but can actually work as part of the everyday life of families.

KATEŘINA CHALOUPKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF FINANCE

An external CFO and founder of Henry & Kate Company, which combines financial management with coaching and leadership development. She has created her own KPI Mind method, which combines numbers, strategy, and mental attitude – because healthy finances start in the mind, not in spreadsheets. She shares her 30 years of experience with entrepreneurs, students, and women in transformation programs, and helps companies grow in a sustainable and conscious way.

ANNA SLAVKOVSKÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY

An expert in energy regulation, who has been working at the European level for a long time and is involved in creating legislation that affects the shape of the energy sector throughout the EU. At Gas Infrastructure Europe, she combines law, strategy, and sustainability principles, seeking a balance between security of supply, decarbonization, and market stability. In an environment that is traditionally highly technical and male-dominated, she brings systemic thinking and the ability to translate complex regulatory issues into practical solutions.

SHIVANI TIWARI

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD – MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS

An Indian entrepreneur who, at the age of 28, decided to start over in a foreign country – the Czech Republic. Without a local network of contacts, she built a company in one of the most demanding and male-dominated industries: the steel and heavy industry. Since 2016, she has been at the helm of SCHMIDT ROZMER s.r.o., which she has gradually developed into an international supplier of technical components and industrial solutions. Her story shows that business is also about the courage to enter an environment where women traditionally have little presence.

HANA KRÁSOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD – SMALL BUSINESS

After turning 50, Hana decided to start over and founded a start-up that helps people feel good – in both body and soul. She is behind the BALA 21 brand, which uses the power of fermentation and the microbiome to naturally boost health and immunity. She combines traditional fermentation know-how with modern scientific knowledge, and offers a natural way to prevent lifestyle diseases. She shows that innovations in health can also arise outside the laboratory – from practice and life experience.

MICHAELA HRDLIČKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF INNOVATION

An innovator who is changing Czech healthcare, from medicines to leadership. She helped bring the first drug for spinal muscular atrophy to the Czech Republic and paved the way for modern treatment of rare diseases. She founded the Academy of Patient Organizations and strengthened the voice of patients as equal partners in the system. Today, she is introducing a culture where both patients and healthcare professionals are at the centre of care.

RADMILA PINKAVOVÁ JIRKOVSKÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD WOMEN WITHOUT BORDERS

A woman who helps give birth to new systems. She led a fundamental cultural transformation at TV Nova as its HR director. She co-founded Noc filmových nadějí (Night of Film Hope) – a project connecting television, schools, and young talent. As Vice President of the International Coaching Federation Czech Republic, she developed coaching programs with international reach… and much more. She connects business, education, and communities.

LILIA KHOUSNOUTDINOVA

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD – INVESTORS

A woman whose investments have a profound social impact, she does not invest primarily in companies or real estate, but in people. She has long been one of the most prominent Czech philanthropists, and, together with her husband, has been included among the leading figures of Czech philanthropy in the Forbes ranking. She is also involved in public activities and international cooperation; for example, she serves on the board of the Czech Helsinki Committee. Her capital is not only financial – her ability to create long-term value through the support of talent, expertise, and human dignity is key.

GABRIELA SLOVÁKOVÁ

WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD – GLOBAL IMPACT

One of the most prominent figures in Czech penitentiary and restorative justice. She systematically promotes restorative justice, an approach that, in addition to punishment, also works with the restoration of relationships, the responsibility of the offender, and the return of the person to society. Today, she heads the Probation and Mediation Service and also chairs the Yellow Ribbon association, where she has long been involved in reintegrating released prisoners back into normal life.

ONDŘEJ ŠIMETKA

SPECIAL AWARD – MAN CHANGING THE WORLD

A leading Czech gynaecologist and obstetrician who for a long time has connected medicine, ethics, and humanity in the care of women. In addition to clinical practice, he actively engages in public debate on reproductive health, women’s rights, and the culture of modern obstetrics. He is a voice of expertise and empathy.

TOMÁŠ PAPRŠTEIN

SPECIAL AWARD – MAN CHANGING THE WORLD

The founder of the non-profit organization Klubovna Naděje z.s., which is dedicated to prevention and education in the area of sexual abuse and support for victims. He openly shares his own experience of childhood sexual abuse in public discussions, interviews, and in his book in order to encourage other victims to speak up and seek help. His work opens up social dialogue on taboo topics, promotes prevention and support for victims, and seeks to change the attitude of the public and institutions towards the issue of abuse.