Women in Publishing: Female Leadership
Leadership in publishing rarely follows a straight line — and it shouldn’t be a solo journey. In this The Hof networking session, we’ll bring international publishing professionals together for an open conversation about the decisions (and conditions) that shape women’s paths into leadership, whether within established organisations or through starting something new.
We’ll compare real career crossroads: the shift from expert to people leader, building authority without “performing” a stereotype, navigating visibility and conflict, and the unwritten rules that can make leadership feel harder to access than it needs to be. And how do these experiences differ depending on our backgrounds and identities, and what does that mean for creating more inclusive pathways to leadership? Networks will be part of the discussion—as one lever among many for knowledge, confidence, sponsorship and opportunity—and we’ll make space for participants to share what has helped (and what hasn’t) in their own contexts.
This session links to a follow-up in-person conversation and networking at Frankfurter Buchmesse: "Women in Publishing: From Community to Collective Impact — Networks, Mentorship & Sponsors" on Thursday, 8 October, 14:00 CET at the Discovery Stage (hall 5.0): Women in Publishing: From Community to Collective Impact — Networks, Mentorship & Sponsors(opens in a new window)
Hosted by award-winning journalist Felix Zeltner, enjoy the famous Hof feeling, connect with our guests, contribute your own questions and comments, and meet the worldwide community in our breakout rooms! As always, live music and mindfulness will be part of the hour.
Community members about The Hof:
“With 'The Hof' the Frankfurter Buchmesse team has found the holy grail of networking”
– Paul P. Gerbino, President, Triumvirate Content Consultants
“The only virtual meeting where you can actually feel something”
– Niki Théron, Head of International Professional Programs, Frankfurter Buchmesse
“The Hof is the best idea ever”
– Simon de Jocas, President, Éditions Les 400 Coups; Co-Founder, Publishers Without Borders
