Women’s Pavilion by Cartier, Expo Osaka/Japan,
May 27, 2025

The prestigious Osaka Sakuyahime Study Group of Osaka University invited EB in May 2025 to speak at the international conference ‚Achieving a Sustainable Society and Economy through Women’s Leadership.‘

The event took place in an extraordinary location: the Women’s Pavilion, an architectural masterpiece designed by renowned Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, and commissioned by Cartier. The Pavilion is one of the centerpieces of EXPO OSAKA 2025, dedicated to innovation, equity, and global collaboration.

Eleonora’s keynote addressed the future of leadership through a gender-conscious and systemic lens, highlighting the power of women’s leadership to drive sustainable transformation — not only in organizations, but in society as a whole.

The resonance of her talk was significant, attracting national attention. A portion of the conference was broadcast on Japan’s NHK News, reaching a broad audience and amplifying the call for inclusive, courageous leadership fit for the future.

Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan, Italy,
May 20, 2025

As a keynote speaker, Eleonora Bonacossa was featured at the 69th Global Entrepreneurship Conference of the International Bar Association, hosted at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

During this impactful Women’s Breakfast session, Eleonora introduced the concept of a Leadership Checkup — a bold and necessary invitation to assess and renew leadership practices in a rapidly evolving world. With her signature clarity and human-centered approach, she proposed a self-assessment quiz inspired by the idea of a Leadership MOT (Modeled after the UK’s „Ministry of Transport“ inspections) as a powerful tool to future-proof leadership effectiveness.

A striking insight she shared: according to McKinsey, most leaders wait an average of 10 years before receiving formal leadership training — with significant consequences not just for themselves, but for the teams and cultures they shape.

Eleonora’s talk resonated as a call to action: to lead not only with competence but with courage, presence, and responsibility — because leadership must evolve as fast as the world we live in.

Commission on the Status of Women CSW69, UN HQ, New York, USA,
March 2025

At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Eleonora Bonacossa joined the German government delegation for the 69th Commission on the Status of Women. On the opening day, she shared her insights with Soroptimist International, reflecting on the historic legacy of the 1995 Beijing Conference—a milestone that transformed the path for half of humanity.Her insights highlighted the ongoing challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality, while emphasizing the power of leadership, collaboration, and collective action to drive meaningful change worldwide.

G100 Meeting, European Parliament, Strasbourg, France
April 2024

Speaking at the European Parliament, Eleonora Bonacossa highlighted the profound influence leaders have on mental health. Drawing from her experience at global events, she shared that great leaders create stars through integrity, inclusivity, and authenticity, while poor leadership can leave lasting scars. She urged leaders to build safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging, and to lead with empathy, connection, and humanity at the heart of their approach.

Keynote:
„Good leaders create stars;
bad leaders create scars!“

Book Presentation, Circolo dei Canottieri, Milan, Italy,
December 2023

At the Christmas Lunch of the Soroptimist Club ‘Empowerment Net Milano’ held at the prestigious Circolo dei Canottieri Olona in Milan, Eleonora Bonacossa presented her book 6 Leadership Skills. The presentation, structured as an engaging interview, highlighted not only the six transformative skills but also their powerful impact on both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She shared how these skills can unlock the full potential of leaders and teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable success, and inspiring a new generation of leaders to step into their power.

WEF World Conference, Sattavis Patidar Centre, London, UK,
October 2023

In her speech at the WEF on October 30th, 2023, in London, Eleonora Bonacossa emphasized the importance of coaching as a crucial skill for leaders. Despite its transformative potential, coaching remains underutilized due to outdated leadership practices that prioritize giving advice over asking questions. She outlined a coaching mindset focused on conversations that help individuals and teams set goals and identify resources.
Eleonora Bonacossa introduced five steps to develop coaching skills, including self-observation, active listening, asking focused questions, exploring inner resources, and fostering trust. By mastering these skills, leaders can innovate their approach and enhance their effectiveness in guiding others.

„The power of coaching in leadership: Why is the coaching skill for leaders so crucial?“

Growth Academy, SIE, Howest University, Kortrijk, Belgium,
June 2022

At the Leadership Growth Academy organized by Soroptimist International of Europe in Kortrijk, Belgium, Eleonora Bonacossa delivered a powerful keynote on inclusive and innovative leadership. She emphasized the need for open-mindedness and adaptability in addressing modern challenges, advocating for the replacement of outdated models with inclusive practices, an innovative culture, and relational energy. Highlighting research that links toxic workplaces and lack of recognition to high resignation rates, she underlined that effective leadership requires listening, valuing team members, and fostering meaningful change. Her talk also explored key traits such as inclusivity, innovation, coaching abilities, and the courage to be a gamechanger, inspiring leaders to create workplaces where people thrive and teams excel.

Keynote:
„Inclusive & Innovative Leadership
Growth Academy“

Leaders Today Awards, Novosibisrk, Russia,
November 2018

Back in 2018, long before curiosity became a mainstream leadership value in Europe, Eleonora Bonacossa was already championing it on the grand stage of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic during the LeadersToday Awards ceremony.
In a powerful keynote, she challenged the audience to rethink leadership as a force driven by curiosity, collective creativity, and bold international openness.
Long before others caught on, she highlighted how these elements would shape the future of innovation, not just in business but across entire regions.
Her words still resonate today, proving that true leadership is about seeing ahead—before the world catches up.

„Leading with Curiosity: Unlocking Innovation and International Success“

Cenacolo Dinner by Valore, House of Lords, London, UK,
March 2018

Invited to speak at the House of Lords in London during a formal dinner, Eleonora Bonacossa addressed the question ‘Italy-Europe: Quo Vadis?’ She encouraged the audience to shift perspectives and view the socio-economic landscape through the eyes of Italian youth. Their aspirations for meaningful work, trust in government, and a Europe founded on solidarity, equality, and sustainability highlighted the need for a transformative approach to shaping the future.

„Italy-Europe: Quo Vadis?“

Greeting Address to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, Clementine Hall, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City,
October 2011

In the Clementine Hall of the Vatican, Eleonora Bonacossa had the extraordinary honor of delivering a greeting on behalf of the German delegation during a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI. In her brief remarks, she conveyed deep gratitude for the Pope’s visit to Germany and celebrated his guidance in promoting the timeless values of Catholic social teaching—solidarity, fraternity, and the ability to see ‘with the heart.’
„Greeting of the German Delegation of the Foundation Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice“