Recognizing an opportunity
When Annika Parkkonen, Chief Human Resources and Sustainability Officer, joined Accelleron in September 2022 as the first woman on the executive committee, she noticed that the historical context for women in Switzerland was different than in her home country of Finland.
"I came from a country where women gained voting rights in 1906, and then learned that Switzerland fully realized voting rights for all women in 1990," Parkkonen reflects. "Acknowledging both this historical context and the fact that women are in the minority at Accelleron – which is typical in STEM and engineering fields – I saw an opportunity to foster connections that would help women grow stronger through shared experiences and a collective voice."
Together with senior leaders Jeanette Andersson, Head of Global Service Operation, and Jelena Milanovic, Global Head of Supply Production and OPEX, Medium and Low Speed, Annika launched a new women’s network at Accelleron’s Swiss headquarters in September 2023. The response was heartwarming. Women from every function—from engineers and supply chain experts, to marketing, production, human resources, and executive assistants—attended the inaugural event, around 40% of the women at headquarters. They showed up ready to engage, energized by the possibility of creating meaningful connections in a predominantly technical, and male, environment.
Inaugural women’s network event, September 2023
Establishing three pillars to develop women leaders
It was clear from the beginning that this would not be a top-down initiative, but would need to be employee-driven to have real impact. So, after the first successful meeting, a dedicated volunteer committee was formed to lead and organize regular events throughout the year.
As a first priority, the committee set out to develop a purpose and platform, inviting the women in the network to share their challenges, hopes, and aspirations. Out of this candid, intensive discussion, one overarching goal was identified: developing as leaders. With this as a guiding principle, the group was able to cluster the other challenges and wishes into three core pillars, which have become the foundation of the network’s activities.
1. Lead yourself: Personal development and wellbeing, including stress management and work-life integration
2. Lead your career: Professional development and strategic career navigation in technical fields
3. Lead others and the organization: Networking and leadership skills that leverage diverse perspectives
Popular events have included an "I Am Remarkable" workshop, based on the global movement, aimed at helping participants learn to celebrate personal and professional achievements–addressing cultural differences in how people have traditionally been socialized around focusing on weaknesses versus highlighting strengths. The September 2024 session created a powerful space for women to recognize and vocalize their accomplishments.
“I am remarkable” workshop, September 2024
Other activities include time management workshops, informal breakfast networking, and sessions with board members and senior leadership.
Time management workshop, May 2024
These gatherings help women establish strategies for navigating a working environment established over generations—during an era where working and family roles were different—while also learning to advocate for adaptations that benefit everyone, including flexible work arrangements that support all parents in balancing family responsibilities.
The network welcomes guest speaker Gabriele Sons, Chair of the Nomination and Compensation Committee for Accelleron’s Board of Directors, discussing insights from her own leadership journey, January 2024
Lifting up talent in India
While Switzerland has developed a formal network, India has focused on spotlighting women's talents through knowledge-sharing initiatives tailored to local needs and interests.
"In India, we've provided a platform for female colleagues to share expertise on topics from finance to team management," explains Ann Philip, Branding & Corporate Communication Manager, India. "Each quarter, a colleague leads these sessions, significantly boosting individual confidence and creating valuable peer-to-peer learning opportunities."
These sessions have become highly anticipated events, recognizing the unique strengths women bring to the workplace and creating visibility for talents that might otherwise remain hidden.
Feeling the connection
Though just a year and a half old, the network has already created valuable connections and inspired important conversations that are influencing the broader company culture.
"We're relatively few women in the company, and it feels good to come together, meet other ladies, exchange ideas, and feel stronger together," shares Anna Lambin, Global Marketing Communications Manager. "These connections have helped many of us navigate challenging situations with greater confidence."
Ashruta Desai, People & Advancement Specialist, adds: "It's a safe environment where we can discuss challenges specific to women and share strategies for overcoming them. The honesty in these conversations is refreshing and empowering."
Open to everyone
"The network is open to everyone at Accelleron," says Olena Bychkovska, AI Engagement Specialist. "While its focus is on female empowerment, it is not exclusive—anyone interested in supporting its goal is welcome to participate. We’ve had a diverse range of participants and speakers at our events”.
Opening the room to men is not just a nice-to-have, it is an essential element of the network, giving men the opportunity to hear perspectives they might not otherwise encounter. This ultimately creates allies who better understand the challenges women face, and who can advocate for progress that benefits everyone.
Annika brings her personal experience to this topic: "I come from a country that ranks among the most equal in the world. I have two sisters, so my father was the only male in our family. He and my mother raised us together, lovingly, according to a principle of total gender equality. I grew up not even questioning that idea.”
A model for inclusive growth
As the women’s network evolves, it is a vehicle for women’s leadership development that can help Accelleron achieve its goal of having women in 25% of senior management positions by 2025 (up from 21% in 2022).
The success of the network is also inspiring a more comprehensive approach to diversity and inclusion at Accelleron. "We are developing new initiatives," explains Annika, "We're working at both global and local levels, exploring diversity in many dimensions beyond gender, from cultural backgrounds to thinking styles."
Expanding initiatives
For 2025, the network is planning a rich calendar of events that build on its core mission, including an upcoming fireside chat between CEO Daniel Bischofberger and Annika—evidence of continued leadership commitment to the initiative.
With a solid foundation in Switzerland and promising initiatives in India, a key goal for the future is to extend these connections to Accelleron teams worldwide. Expanding globally presents a challenge, due to geographical and time zone differences, but it is also an opportunity to bring in even more diverse cultural perspectives from around the world.
"All creativity is based on diversity. The more diverse your population, the more creative you are able to be—at both the team and the company level." Annika emphasizes.
By creating spaces where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, Accelleron is fostering both inclusion and innovation. Just as in engineering, the most robust systems emerge when diverse elements work together—in a world of complex global challenges like climate change, these connections build the collaborative intelligence needed to develop truly sustainable solutions.