The Professional Association of Businesswomen, celebrating its 20th anniversary, held its AP!Lleida Awards gala yesterday. The event took place in the central nave of Lleida's Seu Vella and was attended by Queen Letizia and the Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo.
The Spanish monarch, who arrived at the monumental complex through the Porta dels Apòstols, attended the ceremony where the talent and female leadership of seven professionals from Lleida were recognized in fields such as journalism, health, and education. The awards, named Madonna Mundi, are ceramic sculptures created by artist Monti Mateu.
Having role models allows us to celebrate what we have achieved so far and what is yet to come.
During the gala, a round table was held where some of the awardees shared their experiences. Roser Roca Toha, Managing Director & CEO of Airbus GeoTech and recipient of the Award for Planning, Innovation and/or Internationalization, highlighted the need for leadership based on values and ethics in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as technology and defense.
“"I work in two particularly masculine industries: technology and defense. In this moment we live in, we need leadership based on values and ethics, so I encourage all girls and young women to take the plunge and study technology."
For her part, Raquel Barrachina, Young Entrepreneur Award winner and coach specializing in female well-being, emphasized the paradigm shift in sports, traditionally dominated by male figures, and encouraged undertaking personal projects. Joana Bonet, director of Magazine for La Vanguardia and awarded as Executive, Businesswoman and Professional of the Year, advocated for women to lead transversally to foster collective growth.
“"Women who lead must be themselves and lead transversally so that the sum of talents makes us grow. Let's celebrate differences, shorten distances in gaps, biases, and inequality."
Other recognized professionals included Laura Ravés (economist and coach, Associate Award), Eva Figuera (manager of the Association Against Cancer in Lleida), Mercè Batlle (president of Aremi), and doctoral candidate Sandra González.
