On March 30, 2026, the Empowering Women in Alpine Skiing (EWAS) project will host its pivotal "Women, Leadership, and Sports" capstone event, a free online gathering poised to significantly influence the trajectory of female leadership within the demanding world of alpine skiing and global sport. This landmark discussion will feature two of the most formidable and respected figures in international sport governance: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, former President of Croatia and an active member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Sarah Lewis, former Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and a highly regarded sports administrator. Their joint insights are anticipated to dissect the multifaceted challenges and burgeoning opportunities that define the pathway for the next generation of women leaders in sport.
While the slopes frequently showcase the extraordinary athletic prowess of female skiers, a persistent disparity remains in their representation within coaching, management, and executive echelons. The EWAS capstone event aims to confront this reality head-on, fostering a critical dialogue on the systemic barriers that impede progress and charting a definitive course for future change. This event is not merely a concluding milestone for the EWAS project but rather a robust call to action, designed to propel the discourse on gender equality from dialogue to tangible, measurable progress.
The Genesis and Vision of the EWAS Project
The Empowering Women in Alpine Skiing (EWAS) project, an initiative generously financed by the European Union, was conceived with the explicit mandate to rectify the entrenched gender imbalance prevalent across all levels of alpine skiing. Over its operational tenure, EWAS has meticulously pursued this objective through a comprehensive strategy encompassing rigorous research, targeted capacity-building, and proactive advocacy.
The foundational phase of the project involved extensive research, meticulously documenting and identifying the systemic challenges that have historically constrained women’s advancement in the sport. These challenges often include a lack of visible female role models, insufficient mentorship opportunities, unconscious biases in hiring and promotion, limited access to professional development programs, and societal expectations that often disproportionately burden women with family responsibilities, making high-level executive or coaching roles difficult to sustain. The EWAS project’s findings, freely accessible online, have illuminated these structural impediments, providing a robust evidence base for its subsequent interventions.
In direct response to these findings, EWAS spearheaded the development and implementation of a suite of targeted initiatives. These included specialized training programs designed to equip women with essential leadership and management skills, robust mentorship opportunities connecting aspiring female leaders with established professionals, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment. All these valuable resources and programs have been made freely available online, democratizing access to critical tools for professional growth and networking. Through these efforts, EWAS has empowered countless women, bolstering their skills, expanding their professional networks, and instilling the confidence necessary to ascend into leadership positions within alpine skiing. Simultaneously, the project has actively collaborated with national federations, local clubs, and key policy stakeholders to champion the adoption of more inclusive practices and to significantly enhance gender representation across all hierarchical levels of the sport.
Architects of Change: The Distinguished Speakers
The "Women, Leadership, and Sports" capstone event will be distinguished by the participation of two figures whose careers exemplify profound influence and groundbreaking achievements in both sport and international governance.
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović brings an unparalleled perspective, having served as the fourth President of Croatia from 2015 to 2020. Her tenure at the highest levels of national leadership, combined with her current role as an active member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), positions her as a formidable voice on leadership, diplomacy, and the transformative power of sport. Within the IOC, she has been a vocal advocate for gender equality, recognizing its indispensable role in the future viability and ethical integrity of the Olympic movement. Her insights will undoubtedly draw from her extensive experience in navigating complex political landscapes and her deep understanding of the global sporting ecosystem. She is expected to share perspectives on how leadership principles from national governance can be effectively applied to sports organizations, emphasizing the critical need for diverse perspectives at decision-making tables.
Sarah Lewis OBE OLY is another titan in sports administration, renowned for her almost two-decade tenure as Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) from 2000 to 2021. During her time at FIS, Lewis was instrumental in the evolution and modernization of global skiing and snowboarding. Her extensive experience at the helm of an international sports federation provides her with an intimate understanding of the operational intricacies, political dynamics, and specific challenges inherent to winter sports. Her advocacy for athlete welfare, sustainable development, and gender equity within the FIS structure has been well-documented. As an Olympian herself, she possesses a unique empathy for athletes and a profound understanding of the journey from competition to administration. Lewis is poised to offer invaluable insights into the practical mechanisms required to dismantle existing barriers and cultivate pathways for women into influential roles within federations and sporting bodies.
The discussion will be skillfully moderated by Dr. Federiga Bindi, the Principal Investigator for the EWAS project. Dr. Bindi’s academic rigor and deep engagement with the project’s research findings will ensure a focused and impactful dialogue, guiding the speakers through critical topics and drawing out actionable recommendations.
Key Themes and Discussion Trajectories
The conversation is structured to deliver a candid and forward-looking perspective on leadership in sport, moving beyond mere acknowledgment of issues to concrete strategizing. The central themes to be explored include:
- Understanding and Overcoming Systemic Barriers: A deep dive into the structural, cultural, and psychological impediments that continue to limit women’s progression into leadership roles. This will encompass discussions on unconscious bias in recruitment, the prevalence of "old boys’ networks," insufficient work-life balance support, and the lack of flexible working arrangements that disproportionately affect women.
- The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship: Examining how robust mentorship programs and proactive sponsorship from senior leaders can serve as crucial catalysts for female advancement. The discussion will likely highlight successful models and best practices for creating supportive ecosystems.
- Driving Policy and Cultural Change: Strategies for advocating for and implementing policies that promote gender equality within sports organizations. This includes quotas, transparent hiring processes, gender-sensitive governance frameworks, and fostering inclusive organizational cultures.
- Leveraging Athlete Platforms: Exploring how successful female athletes can transition into leadership roles post-retirement and how their visibility and influence can be leveraged to inspire and advocate for change.
- The Future of Leadership in Sport: A forward-looking perspective on what truly inclusive and diverse leadership looks like, and the long-term benefits it brings to the integrity, innovation, and sustainability of sports.
This discussion is designed to be more than a retrospective analysis; it is fundamentally geared towards identifying and endorsing actionable steps that can be implemented by federations, clubs, and individuals to foster a more equitable and dynamic leadership landscape in alpine skiing and, by extension, across the broader sporting world.
A Broader Canvas: Gender Equality in Global Sport Governance
The EWAS capstone event takes place against a backdrop of increasing global recognition for the need to enhance female representation in sports leadership. While significant strides have been made, particularly at the athlete level, the executive suites of national and international sports federations often remain predominantly male. For instance, reports from organizations like the WomenSport International and the IOC’s own Gender Equality Review Project consistently highlight underrepresentation. As of recent data, women hold only a fraction of executive board positions in international sports federations, and the number of female National Olympic Committee presidents or Secretary Generals remains disproportionately low.
Within winter sports, and specifically alpine skiing, similar patterns are observed. While female athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin or Petra Vlhová dominate headlines with their performances, the pathways for women to transition into coaching roles, technical directorships, or federation presidencies are often less clear and fraught with more obstacles. The EWAS project’s detailed research has likely uncovered specific nuances within alpine skiing, such as the traditionally male-dominated coaching hierarchies, the travel demands often incompatible with family life, and the limited opportunities for professional development tailored to women.
The presence of Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and Sarah Lewis underscores the global significance of this issue. Both have navigated and influenced complex international sporting and political structures, offering invaluable perspectives on how to effect change from within. Their participation signals a serious intent to not only acknowledge the problem but to actively engage with solutions that resonate across diverse cultural and organizational contexts.
Beyond a Conclusion: A Catalyst for Enduring Change
While the "Women, Leadership, and Sports" event marks the official culmination of the EWAS project, its significance transcends a mere project closure. It is strategically positioned as a powerful catalyst, designed to ensure that the momentum generated by EWAS’s research and initiatives continues to drive progress long after the project’s formal conclusion. The event serves as a resounding call to action, emphasizing the imperative of translating dialogue into measurable, sustainable progress.
The ultimate objective is to establish and fortify sustainable pathways for the emergence of the next generation of women leaders, not only within alpine skiing but also across the wider sporting landscape. By meticulously connecting academic research with pragmatic policy recommendations and the lived experiences of women in sport, EWAS unequivocally demonstrates that gender equality is far more than a matter of fairness or social justice. It is, fundamentally, a powerful driver of stronger governance, fostering greater innovation, enhancing ethical integrity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and vibrancy of sport itself. Diverse leadership brings varied perspectives, better decision-making, and a more representative approach to the sport’s development, benefiting all stakeholders.
The legacy of EWAS is intended to be a framework for continued action, encouraging federations to adopt the project’s training modules, implement mentorship programs, and review their governance structures to ensure greater inclusivity. The insights from the capstone event are expected to provide a roadmap for national ski associations and international governing bodies alike, encouraging them to embed gender equality principles into their strategic planning and operational practices.
How to Engage: Registration and Accessibility
The "Women, Leadership and Sports" capstone conversation is scheduled to be held online on March 30, 2026. This virtual format ensures maximum accessibility, allowing a global audience to participate in this critical discussion from anywhere in the world.
To participate virtually in this landmark event and to receive access to the event recording for later viewing, interested individuals are required to register through the official event platform. Registration is free of charge, reflecting EWAS’s commitment to disseminating its findings and fostering widespread engagement. Further details regarding the precise start time and technical access will be provided upon registration.
This event represents a crucial moment for alpine skiing and the broader sports community. It is an opportunity to learn from global leaders, understand the challenges, and contribute to a collective vision where women are fully empowered to lead, innovate, and shape the future of sport. The EWAS project, culminating in this powerful event, is set to leave an indelible mark, driving forward the agenda for true gender parity in the world of sports leadership.
