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March 8, 2022 — On the International Women’s Day, Euclid Network (EN) reveals the anticipated Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise 2022 List featuring women leaders in social entrepreneurship and innovation.

EN’s second annual list honours women trailblazers who are helping to shape the European social enterprise ecosystem and leading it into the mainstream. The list is based on more than 500 answers from an open nomination call and an assessment by our esteemed jury, as part of the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise Initiative.

The featured women stood out as having implemented creative and sustainable solutions to create significant positive social and/or environmental impact. They demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and commitment by going beyond their role and inspiring others to channel their potential.

The recognition is not a ranking but rather a list of those who have shone for their innovative approaches and the scape of impact created. Explore the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise List below, get inspired by innovative solutions and join us in celebrating the achievements of women trailblazers. 

Top 100 Women In Social Enterprise 2022

Use the buttons below to filter by category and country and tap on cards to read about each woman.

AllSocial InnovatorSocial EntrepreneurCountry
SlovakiaFinlandPolandLithuaniaFranceRomaniaCroatiaGermanySpainSerbiaGreeceSwedenUKUkraineHungaryThe NetherlandsArmeniaIrelandTurkeyAustriaItalyPortugalBulgariaLatviaSwitzerlandCzech RepublicLuxemburgBosnia and HerzegovinaDenmarkMayotteBelgiumEstoniaNorway

Aisling Kirwan

Occupation: Co-Founder of Positive Carbon

Ireland

Revolutionary entrepreneur using AI to reduce the impact of food waste

Alba Padró

Occupation: Co-Founder of LactApp

Spain

At women's side since the beginning of their new journey

Alessandra Alonso

Occupation: Founder of WOMEN IN TRAVEL CIC

UK

Trailblazing transforming the role of women in travel and tourism industry

Alexandra Machado

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Girl MOVE Academy * Ashoka Fellow

Portugal

Strong believer of leadership as an act of love

Alison Turner

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Devon and Cornwall Furniture Reuse Project

UK

Trailblazer in the fight for gender equality

Ana Janošev

Occupation: Managing Director of Social Impact Award

Austria

Innovative leader dedicated to empowering youth to make a difference

Ancuta Vamesu

Occupation: Founder & CEO Laboratorul de Solidaritate

Romania

Experienced leader with a significant portfolio in the civic & social sector

Angela Achitei

Occupation: Founder & CEO of UtilDeco, JobDirect and WISE travel

Romania

Strategic leader in social economy

Anja Hirschfelder

Occupation: Managing Director of Impact Hub Leipzig

Germany

Transforming collaborative action into a sustainable future

Anna Duszczynska

Occupation: Founder of A.D. new world

The Netherlands

Leading social brands to become the champions of a purposeful world

Anna Juusela 

Occupation: Founder & CEO of We Encourage

Finland

Visionary entrepreneur determined to empower women and prevent domestic abuse

Anna Lindh

Occupation: Founder & Operations Manager at Right To Play Sverige

Sweden

Change leader creating a better world for children and young people.

Anne-Laure Fayard

Occupation: ERA Chair Professor in Social Innovation

Portugal

Experienced academic focused on design thinking and social impact

Aoise Keogan Nooshabadi

Occupation: Co-founder of Supply Change

UK

Creator of more inclusive, diverse supply chains that generate positive impact

Arancha Martinez

Occupation: Founder & President of Itwillbe.org and the Common Good Chain

Spain

Speaker and dreamer for a world with no poverty

Athina Fragkouli – Sakellaropoulou

Occupation: President of the Executive Committee of the SSP P. Sakellaropoulos

Greece

Pioneer of innovative models of mental health services

Betina da Silva Lopes

Occupation: Coordinator for Impact at Cartas com Ciência

Portugal

Learning and (re)constructing knowledge each day.

Bianca Pouw

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Bijenhotelkopen, Impact-Spots, Impact-Ladies

The Netherlands

Passionate entrepreneur creating social initiatives to boost biodiversity and circulair economy

Britta Schaffmeister

Occupation: CEO of Dutch Marine Energy Centre

The Netherlands

Innovative entrepreneur specialised in strategy and organisational development

Camila Rodrigues

Occupation: CEO & Founder of Mulheres à Obra (Women at Work)

Portugal

Inspired social entrepreneur with political science research

Collette Nabyonga

Occupation: Co-Founder of TechInclusionUK

UK

Making digital inclusion happen in the education sector, while championing data privacy

Cynthia Reynolds

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Circular Regions

Norway

Driven professional in the reign of circular economy

Dita Formánková

Occupation: Founder & Chairwoman Czechitas | Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Communities Avast

Czech Republic

Inspiring women to take on technological and entrepreneurial challenges

Djémilah HASSANI

Occupation: International Strategy Expert for Social Economy

France

Dedicated professional building partnership for the goals

Dorte Boddum Kronborg

Occupation: Director of Huset Venture Nordjylland

Denmark

Social entrepreneur focused on job creation and business development

Ebru Metin

Occupation: Founder and CEO of Legal Design Turkey

Turkey

Trailblazer for human-centered design in the legal field

Edel Lawlor

Occupation: Founder & Director of ExpressivePlay

Ireland

Psychotherapist helping children of all ages to overcome difficulties

Eleanor Howie

Occupation: Founder &CEO of Valiant Lingerie

UK

Inspiring entrepreneur turning experience into community-wide positive impact

Elissa Glorie

Occupation: Founder of Moja

The Netherlands

Marketing and impact strategy is her jam

Ellen Oetelmans

Occupation: Program Manager at Amsterdam Impact

The Netherlands

Leader dedicated to positive impact and ecosystem building

Eri Pavlaki

Occupation: Founder of Women Do Business

Greece

Creative leader helping other women to fulfil their dreams as entrepreneurs

Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael

Occupation: Co-founder & Managing Director at Faircado & Solidarsty

Belgium

Climate & women empowerment activist and entrepreneur

Fenella Chambers

Occupation: Senior Associate of Hogan Lovells International LLP

UK

Supporting social enterprises through sustainable growth

Filipa Pinto Coelho

Occupation: President of VilacomVida & CEO of Café Joyeux

Portugal

Seeker of talent among diversity

Gina Cicerone

Occupation: CEO of the Fair Education Alliance

UK

Leading a movement to make education fair for all

Giulia Faleri

Occupation: Co-Founder and CEO of Vezua

Italy

Transforming trade into an act to create social and environmental value

Gizem Kendik Önduygu

Occupation: Chief Marketing and Impact Officer at Toyi

Turkey

Leading the way into a sustainable and playful planet

Gulnara Shahinian

Occupation: Founder & Chair of Democracy Today & Fiorment UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery

Armenia

Expert on counter-trafficking, anti-slavery and forced labour

Hannah Lux

Occupation: Co-Founder of Vollpension

Austria

Social Entrepreneur and Bridge Builder

Hülya Aras

Occupation: Co-Founder & CEO of Simbiyoz Aktivite

Turkey

Guiding disadvantaged groups toward economic independence through entrepreneurship

Iffat Rose Gill

Occupation: Founder & CEO of The Code to Change

The Netherlands

Leader-activist promoting economic empowerment of women through digital inclusion

Inês Franco Alexandre

Occupation: Talent Activator Manager at GirlMOVE Academy and Movimento Transformers

Portugal

Activist and entrepreneur passionate about social impact

Ingun Bol de Bock

Occupation: Founder & President Female Wave of Change

The Netherlands

A connector, a community builder, a mentor and social entrepreneur

Isobelle Ford

Occupation: Co-Founder and Director of Anqa Collective and Skylight Ventures

UK

Social innovator supporting refugee entrepreneurs in developing their businesses

Jennifer Busch

Occupation: Founder and CEO at CLIMB

Germany

A leader in the elementary academic sector.

Joanna Verney

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Umbrella Café CIC

UK

A problem solver within social entrepreneurship

Joey Li

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Leiho

UK

Ethical trendsetter for the shopping business

Juliet Cornford

Occupation: Senior Consultant at the British Council

UK

Expert on development of social enterprise and social investment

Katerina Chantzi

Occupation: Founder and CEO of BinFree/Cleantech Estonia

Estonia

Contributes to the raising and empowering of women entrepreneurs

Katharina Mayer

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Kuchentratsch GmbH

Germany

Living the spirit of intergenerational work

Kelly Keodara

Occupation: Founder of Bloom ry

Finland

Advocate of empowerment through education and communication

Kelly Robin

Occupation: Project and Development Director of PULSE

France

Pioneer for social impact and partnerships in France

Larissa Gleich

Occupation: Founder & CEO of LG - Beratung & Organisation

Germany

Startup and Business Consultant helping ideas become reality

Laura Di Santolo

Occupation: Co-Founder & Managing Director at Forward·Inc

The Netherlands

Inspired changemaker helping newcomers pursue their entrepreneurial dreams

Laura Gallo

Occupation: CEO of Il Giardinone Cooperativa Sociale

Italy

Serial entrepreneur dedicated to circular economy

Laura Guerra-Arias

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Redpanti

Spain

Biochemist providing women more comfortable and more sustainable choices

Laura McDermott

Occupation: Director of Academic Experience & Innovation at IE Business School, Madrid

Spain

Designing impactful experiences through sustainable innovation

Liene Reine-Miteva

Occupation: Founder & Director of LLC Ligero

Latvia

Advocate for strong social impact through strategic communication

Lígia Gomes

Occupation: Co-Founder & COO at Peggada

Portugal

Changemaker providing awareness and tools to live a sustainable life

Liliana Ribeiro

Occupation: CEO of IRIS Social Innovation Incubator

Portugal

Developer of innovative and collaborative projects

Liz Gleeson

Occupation: Director of Shapes Of Grief

Ireland

Bereavement therapist provide invaluable support during the grieving process

Luísa Ferreira

Occupation: Head of Social at European Investment Bank Institute

Portugal

Leader seeking to build people’s skills, leadership and confidence

Margarita Albors

Occupation: Founder & President of Social Nest Foundation

Spain

Innovator passionate about entrepreneurship, technology and investing for impact

Marie-Luise Meinhold

Occupation: Founder & CEO of ver.de Projektgesellschaft AG

Germany

A champion in the sector of sustainability

Martina Ferracane

Occupation: Founder & President of FabLab Western Sicily

Italy

Bringing positive change through creative education

Michelle Smith

Occupation: CEO at Mpower People CIC

UK

Serial entrepreneur helping people improve their lives

Milena Glimbovski

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Original Unpacked and a Good Publisher

Germany

Pioneer in the ecological entrepreneurial world

Monique Maissan

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Waste2wear

The Netherlands

Dutch entrepreneur and sustainable textile engineer

Naomi Butters

Occupation: Co-Founder & Director of ICENA Ltd

UK

Entrepreneur proving training and consultancy to help create safe and equitable (work)spaces

Natasha Eeles

Occupation: Founder & CEO at Bold Voices

UK

Advocate and educator for gender equality

Neusa Sousa

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Afro Beauty Tea

Portugal

Teacher and inspiration for women across the world, helping them achieve their dream lifestyle

Nicolina Fransson

Occupation: Founder & CEO at Ommej

Sweden

A visionary leveraging tech to help children tell their own story

Nina Kamp

Occupation: Founder of The NICE Company

The Netherlands

Entrepreneur creating impact with the tastiest treats out there

Photo curtesy of Can Wagener

Özge Efendi

Occupation: Co-Founder of bli bla blub & CoLab - Das Community Labor e.V.

Germany

Creative nanoscientist bringing discovery to you

Pamela Benitez

Occupation: Founder & CEO of The Virtual Events Experience

UK

Pioneer of social causes through virtual events

Paula Cardoso

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Afrolink

Portugal

Excellence in representation and innovation

Petra Rahn

Occupation: Founder and CEO of Bildungsprofis

Germany

Integrating refugees in the labor market since 2015.

Pirkko Valge

Occupation: CEO at Heateo Sihtasutus & Good Deed Foundation

Estonia

Leader supporting the launch and scaling of high-impact initiatives

Rebekka Dober

Occupation: Founder & CEO of YEP

Austria

Encouraging young people to take action everyday

Rosa Arias

Occupation: CEO & Founder at Science for Change

Spain

Chemical engineer bringing science closer to society for a real impact

Rosie Ginday

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Miss Macaroon

UK

Ispirational innovator ready to conquer society with her sweet tooth

Sabrina Konzok

Occupation: Managing Director of Kiron Digital

Germany

Driver and innovator in EdTech and social entrepreneurship

Sam Thomson

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Ardagh Community Trust/Horfield Common CIC

UK

Leader, academic & creative, social entrepreneur. Champion of public parks and green spaces for community wellbeing.

Sara Barros Leitão

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Cassandra

Portugal

Waking minds through art and theatre

Sára Pásztor

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Jamba in Hungary

Hungary

Creative and assiduous interdisciplinary professional

Sarah Boateng

Occupation: Founder & CEO of IGEA Enterprise

UK

Passionate advocate for gender equality

Siobhan Cafferty

Occupation: Criminal Justice Sector Social Enterprise Project Manager

Ireland

Trained facilitator of social enterprise and employment strategy

Sofia Gonzalez Chiraux

Occupation: Founder & CEO of Ahimsa

France

Manufacturer of an equal gender narrative within organizations

Stephanie Darvill

Occupation: Cofounder & COO of Aline

Sweden

A skilled communicator and researcher creating more equitable opportunities for learning

Suzanne Noble

Occupation: Co-founder of Advantages of Age & Startup School for Seniors

UK

Supporting people aged 50+ to manifest the life they desire, turning an idea into a business

Tatiana Glad

Occupation: Executive Director of Impact Hub Network

The Netherlands

Leader driven by passion and purpose to nurture entrepreneurial innovations

Tatjana Vučić

Occupation: Executive Director of Philanthropy Forum

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Strategist. Visionary. Changemaker. 

Tebogo Nimindé-Dundadengar

Occupation: Co-founder & CEO of Tebalou

Germany

Author, speaker and entrepreneur supporting you to support the next generation.

Temitope Kamson

Occupation: Founder & CEO of GT Scholars CIC

UK

Educator building impactful online programmes, that help young people connect with global corporations, and achieve their academic & career aspirations

Uta Deutschländer

Occupation: President of EuCIE | CEO of Alexianer Textilpflege GmbH

Germany

Exceptional innovator developing inclusive enterprises into an essential model

Veronika Samokovliyski

Occupation: Co-Founder & CFO of Can You Association

Bulgaria

Investing in people to create a better future

Ylva Lundkvist Fridh

Occupation: CEO of Mikrofonden Sverige

Sweden

Organisational developer and economic historian with expertise in social finance & social entrepreneurship

Yonca Braeckman

Occupation: Founder & CEO Impact Shakers

Belgium

Mission-driven entrepreneur and investor in underrepresented founders

Yoon-Joo JEE

Occupation: Co-founder of Snowball Effect

France

Visionary entrepreneur spreading impactful solutions through replication

Yvonne Cvilak

Occupation: Managing Director of AfB Group

Germany

Innovative entrepreneur giving second life to discarded hardware

Learn more about the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise Initiative and explore last year’s list HERE. Stay tuned as we will be featuring interviews with women trailblazers from the Top 100 list in the following weeks!

Euclid Network (EN) is the European Social Enterprise Network. Founded in 2007, EN has been a frontrunner in shaping the European impact ecosystem in the past decade. The global community of changemakers is growing and so is our network: our members represent over 100,000 organisations in 21 countries throughout Europe and beyond.

Together with its members, EN strives towards an economy that works for people and the planet in support of all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, making impact its daily business. Our vision is to see social entrepreneurship and social innovation pave the way for a new green and just economy.

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