Despite their academic excellence and strong professional performance, Asian women in Europe continue to face systemic barriers as they advance in their careers—whether in the corporate world or entrepreneurship. Cultural stereotypes, biases in leadership perceptions, and a lack of sponsorship opportunities have led to significant underrepresentation of Asian women in leadership roles.

These challenges have only intensified with the global rise in anti-Asian discrimination since the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more difficult for Asian women to break through the barriers holding them back. To address this, EAN – The European Asian Network is launching Asian European Heritage Month (AEHM)—a dedicated month to celebrate Asian heritage, highlight contributions, and raise awareness about the career obstacles Asian women still face. This launch event will explore the stereotypes and career blockers that hinder Asian women’s professional growth, offering insights and inspiration to help them break through the Bamboo Ceiling and advance in their careers.

Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Barriers & Solutions for Asian Women in the Corporate World

This event will bring together accomplished Asian women leaders to share their experiences, discuss career progression challenges, and provide strategies for overcoming them.

What to Expect

• A thought-provoking presentation on the stereotypes and systemic biases that Asian women face in the workplace.
• A dynamic panel discussion featuring accomplished Asian women leaders, sharing insights on navigating and overcoming career barriers.
• Live audience survey to capture real-time insights on common career blockers.
• Interactive Q&A session to engage with the speakers and gain actionable advice.

Who Should Attend?

Asian women professionals and entrepreneurs at early or mid-career levels who are looking to navigate challenges and accelerate their career growth in the European corporate landscape. HR and DEI professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of Asian women and explore ways to foster more inclusive workplaces. And of course Allies of Asian women are welcome.

Our speakers : 

• Christine Reinders is a multilingual Brand, Marketing & Communications and Inclusive Workplace Culture Advisor with nearly 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at a global consulting firm and a leading insurance company. Recognizing the need for greater representation and support for Asian women in the workplace, she founded EAN (European Asian Network), a social enterprise dedicated to empowering Asian women to thrive in the corporate world by breaking the bamboo ceiling through advocacy, resources, and community-building. Her commitment to inclusion and equity was recognized by the EU Insider Group, which named her among their "Who to Follow in 2024" list for her role in shaping more equitable and inclusive debates and policies within the EU.
  
  
• Rosanna Kurrer was born and raised in the Philippines, studied in Japan, where she met her future husband, and later moved to Germany to start a family. They relocated to Belgium when her husband joined the European Commission. After a career break to raise her children, she faced the challenge of reinventing herself in the male-dominated tech industry, starting from scratch in cybersecurity. Today, Rosanna is the co-founder and managing director of CyberWayFinder, a European platform training the next generation of diverse cybersecurity professionals. Recognized for her impact, she was named Cybersecurity Personality of the Year (2021) by the Belgian Cybersecurity Coalition and ELLE Belgium’s Woman of the Year for Technology (2023).

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