The Boardroom is an exclusive pan-European club dedicated to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in corporate governance. Its mission is to cultivate and support accomplished women for corporate board positions, creating a diverse pipeline of talented women who can succeed in industries that are traditionally male-dominated.

The trailblazing organization was founded by Diana Markaki in September 2021 and was the first private club for female executives who aspire to be board members. Following a successful first year, the Boardroom expanded its reach across Europe in October 2022 when it opened a second clubhouse in Greece. The organization also plans to continue its expansion across Europe in 2023. In the meantime, a location in London has also been opened.

The Boardroom offers its members access to exclusive clubhouses where all club activities take place. This aims to build strong relationships since face-to-face interaction is a key element of building trust, solidarity, and confidentiality. 

Diana Markaki, the power woman behind the Boardroom

(Photo : Diana Markaki, founder of The Boardroom)

Diana Markaki is an accomplished international lawyer with extensive experience in M&A, asset management, and capital markets. She has a law degree and LLM in international law from Athens Law School and went on to earn an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School.

As a passionate advocate for gender diversity in the corporate world, Markaki is on a mission to increase the number of qualified women on corporate boards. To achieve this, she is currently leading the expansion of her company across Europe. Her commitment to this mission is also reflected in the numerous board positions and advisory roles she holds.

Markaki currently serves as a member of the board of directors at 5G Ventures S.A., which is a multi-million mutual fund that invests in cutting-edge 5G technology. The international lawyer was also elected chair of the audit committee at 5G Ventures S.A., where she provides guidance and oversight.

Additionally, Markaki is a partner at the international investment firm Venero Capital, which she advises on ESG and impact investing. In the past, she has also served as an independent board member of Ellaktor Group, which is a publicly traded international construction group.

During her time at Ellaktor, Markaki was appointed to the nomination and compensation committee, where she ensured sound governance and oversight. Prior to her work with Ellaktor, Diana Markaki was global director and group head of asset management at a global leader in airline services, gategroup. In this role, she was responsible for managing assets in 60 countries around the world.

Markaki's impressive career also includes serving as a member of the leadership team at the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project in Switzerland, which is Europe's largest energy infrastructure project. As part of the project, she led pre-construction activities along the pipeline route, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and strategic skills.

The Boardroom is fostering inclusion and supporting women

By building strong role models and driving change from the top, the Boardroom is committed to improving corporate governance and fostering an inclusive culture that benefits everyone. It currently has 250 members who work across 22 different industries and are from 23 different countries.

The association's holistic approach provides a comprehensive solution for female executives who want to become successful board members. According to the findings of a survey conducted by Harvard Business Review, women have to be more qualified than men to be considered for board positions.

The Boardroom helps women navigate the world of corporate governance with confidence and expertise. But it is more than just a meeting point for top executives committed to gender diversity and inclusion.

The club is fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of like-minded individuals, both men and women, who share the common goal of creating a more inclusive corporate environment. Despite making up about 50 percent of the global population, women only held around 29 percent of North American and European board positions in 2022.

This disparity is not only unfair but also negatively affects growth and innovation. That being said, the Boardroom recognizes that male allies are an important part of creating a more inclusive workplace. It is driving progress toward greater gender diversity and inclusion in the corporate world by providing practical advice and insights.

What the future entails

The Boardroom is dedicated to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in corporate governance. With its exclusive access to private clubhouses, its book, and its inclusive community, the Boardroom is empowering women to succeed in traditionally male-dominated industries.

To further promote gender diversity and inclusion in the corporate landscape across Europe, the club is going to expand to Denmark, France, and the UK in 2023. This means the Boardroom is also opening extra clubhouses in 2023.

In addition to its clubhouse-based activities, the Boardroom also organizes a variety of events and seminars that bring together its members with industry experts and thought leaders. These events provide valuable opportunities for members to learn from experienced professionals, network with their peers, and gain new perspectives on the challenges facing women in business.

Diversity and inclusion are important topics, and the Boardroom is positioning itself as a leading entity. The club has already created a strong network in its short life. With its expansion plans, the Boardroom is set to become an influential organization in the future.