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GPW FutureBridge: New Programme for Capital Market Women Leaders

The GPW FutureBridge project has been launched on the Trading Floor of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Its key pillars include the Intercollegiate Educational Programme for women managers and leaders to prepare them for roles on the management and supervisory boards of listed companies, taking into account their specificity and corporate governance requirements.

GPW FutureBridge is a leadership development programme aimed at future women leaders who want to make an active contribution to the future of the capital market. The initiative combines intensive development of management skills with hands-on experience, supporting participants in building strategic and responsible leadership. GPW FutureBridge bridges the gap between potential and real impact as it prepares participants for key roles in the rapidly changing world of finance.

The programme is run in cooperation with the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), Kozminski University (ALK), and the Warsaw University of Technology Business School, with the active participation of state-owned companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange: Orlen, PGE, PKO BP, PZU, and GPW. The project takes place under the patronage of Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun.

“GPW FutureBridge sends a message to the entire capital market community: equality policies and greater opportunities for women at all career levels are taken very seriously by institutions that are key to the development of the Polish capital market. It is also an investment in the future of Polish business, making it more inclusive, innovative, and responsible. According to research, increased participation of women in corporate management generates such impact. The Ministry of State Assets supports GPW FutureBridge as an example of close cooperation between the Warsaw Stock Exchange, as a key capital market institution, and universities. Providing an interface between the world of science and capital market practitioners, it can produce synergies that will not only increase the participation of women leaders in management but can also strengthen corporate governance,” said Wojciech Balczun, Minister of State Assets.

GPW FutureBridge is based on three pillars: education providing a solid foundation of expertise and skills; development as a space for dialogue and impact; and relationships based on building social capital and exchanging ideas that open up new professional and business opportunities.

“GPW FutureBridge is much more than an educational programme; it is a leadership development programme. This initiative builds bridges between universities, businesses, and public institutions, forming a strong community that will support the development of the capital market in Poland. We believe that networking, understood as informed building of contacts, cooperation, and mutual support, is one of the most important resources for today’s successful managers,” said Tomasz Bardziłowski, President of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

One key element of the programme is the Intercollegiate Educational Programme, run in cooperation with the Warsaw School of Economics, Kozminski University, and the Warsaw University of Technology Business School. The programme offers 120 hours of classes delivered by experienced lecturers, practitioners, and experts, where participants will acquire practical skills in corporate governance, finance, strategic management, ESG, and capital market regulation.

Thirty-one women with extensive managerial experience have qualified for the first edition of the programme. Over the course of six months, they will take part in academic classes, mentoring sessions, workshops, networking meetings, and closed debates with representatives of the market and public administration. The participants represent state-owned companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange: Orlen, PGE, PKO BP, PZU, as well as KGHM, Tauron, and GPW.

Networking is an integral part of the programme: participants will have the opportunity to establish relationships with market leaders, experts, representatives of companies and public institutions. Such contacts can provide an impetus for joint projects, recommendations, and further professional development.

Companies involved in the programme will receive a “Partner of Change” certificate confirming their participation in building a modern leadership model. The programme will close in March 2026 with a final debate and graduation ceremony on the Warsaw Stock Exchange Trading Floor.

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GPW FutureBridge Partners speak about the programme:

Piotr Wachowiak, Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) Rector and Professor

As the oldest economics and business university in Poland, the Warsaw School of Economics has for years focused on combining theory with practice, and science with business, in its educational curricula. We consider knowledge and competences to be of paramount importance, along with values such as truth, respect, honesty, cooperation, and professionalism. GPW FutureBridge is not the first initiative where the Warsaw School of Economics collaborates with the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The first pillar of the programme is the Intercollegiate Educational Programme, run in partnership by GPW, SGH, ALK, and the Warsaw University of Technology, which aims to prepare women participants for roles on the management and supervisory boards of listed companies. With programmes aimed directly at female leaders, we encourage women to become even more involved and to develop their careers in these dynamic times in the era of sustainable development. I am certain that strengthening leadership skills of women can not only contribute to their professional development but also benefit many institutions and operators in the Polish economy.

Prof. Dr hab. Grzegorz Mazurek, Rector of Kozminski University (ALK)

GPW FutureBridge is a unique initiative that responds to and anticipates the needs of today’s market. The programme opens up new opportunities, primarily for women leaders, enabling them to combine their ambitions and talents with the genuine needs of listed companies. As a university with an established international position, Kozminski University contributes its expertise, practical experience, and tradition of educating leaders to the project. I am positive that the Intercollegiate Educational Programme will become an icon of an innovative and responsible approach to management, and it will not only strengthen the position of participants but also contribute to the development of the capital market in Poland and Europe.

Dariusz Marzec, President of PGE

We understand that diverse experiences and perspectives in leadership truly enrich the decision-making process and support the development of the organisation. The GPW FutureBridge programme is a valuable initiative that creates space for women to develop leadership skills and engage in personal growth on their way to management and supervisory roles. We are delighted to support a project that not only responds to current market needs but above all gives women the opportunity to develop, make an impact, and build a future based on cooperation and mutual trust.

Szymon Midera, President of PKO Bank Polski

It is only natural for Poland’s largest bank to join the GPW FutureBridge programme as we believe that diversity of perspectives drives innovation and ever better performance. At PKO BP, we implement many initiatives that support our teams in building new diverse competences, including the #JestemUSiebie programme and the development of women leaders as part of the #BankKobiet initiative. This is a great step towards creating a responsible market that listens to the needs of employees and helps them achieve their ambitious goals.

Joanna Gorczyca, Director for Sustainable Development, PZU

Combining diverse competences and perspectives is the foundation of modern leadership. By supporting the development and careers of women in business, we strengthen the foundations of PZU’s development and leadership. As a participant in the GPW FutureBridge programme, we can show not only how we invest in the lasting value of our company, represented by strong women leaders shaping the future of the company, the market, and the economy. We will also proudly show that sustainable leadership contributes to the performance of the PZU Group and helps millions of its customers.

Anna Socha, HR Executive Director, Orlen

Our participation in the GPW FutureBridge project is an important part of the measures we take as part of the Women Forward Programme. The programme is aimed at women leaders and managers at various levels within the ORLEN Group. The core idea is to build a community of women, exchange experiences, strengthen competences and leader positions throughout the Group. Women Forward is primarily focused on building the authority, resilience, and leadership skills of women, which brings added value to the business. Combining initiatives and programmes that build a community of women helps to form responsible leadership and provides opportunities to gain the experience necessary to perform key roles. Women Forward and our involvement in FutureBridge reflect our motto: the energy of tomorrow starts today. Today, we are ambitiously and responsibly creating opportunities and a working environment that will, in the near future, provide credible evidence of partnership and respect in business.