The second edition of ECA’s Women on Board Programme (WOBP) has once again underlined our commitment to supporting women in positions of leadership and creating pathways for lasting change across European football.
Designed as part of our broader educational portfolio, the exclusive course equips senior women executives with the knowledge, confidence and network to excel in leadership roles within clubs, leagues and the wider football industry.
By combining practical workshops with peer-to-peer exchanges and expert-led sessions, the programme provides participants with tools to strengthen their decision-making, grow their influence and lead with authenticity.
Learning and Applying Leadership
For Zeycan Rochelle Yildirim, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsunspor, the course was about more than just gaining new insights. It was about putting them into practice.
“It was not only about knowledge, but about understanding how to apply it in the real world of football,” she explained.
This reflects the heart of the Women on Board’s approach: knowledge is only valuable when it translates into impact. By focusing on real challenges faced by clubs, the programme ensures its lessons are immediately relevant.
Building Connections and Confidence
For Amanda Moura Pietrzak, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Legia Ladies, one of the biggest benefits was connecting with peers from across Europe.
“Sharing experiences with other women in football has been eye-opening — it’s about learning together and growing together,” she said.
This collaborative environment is a hallmark of the programme. By bringing together leaders from different clubs, leagues and fuctions, it creates a space where experiences can be shared and solutions can be developed collectively. The result is a strong network of women who continue to support one another long after the learning experience concludes.
Inspiring Change in Organisations
Whilst for Theresa Seegerer, Head of Partnership Sales at FC Bayern München, the lessons learned go beyond personal growth. They provide a platform to inspire change at organisational level.
“The programme gives you the tools and perspective to influence change within your organisation and the game,” she noted.
This underlines one of the course’s central goals: ensuring participants not only develop as individuals but also become catalysts for progress within their clubs and the wider football ecosystem.
Driving Change Through Education
Alongside other ECA initiatives that drive change through education, this course demonstrates our commitment to equipping members with the skills and knowledge to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
By focusing on personal growth, practical leadership and collective impact, we equip participants with the tools they need to strengthen the capacity of their clubs and in turn, enrich the wider football landscape.
Looking Ahead
The journey does not stop here. The next stop for the Women on Board Programme will be a dedicated meeting in Rome ahead of the 32nd ECA General Assembly. This event will provide an opportunity to continue the conversations between all our European football clubs and build on the lessons from the course.
The Women on Board Programme is part of our larger Sustainability strategy, which you can find more about here. To learn more about ECA’s educational services and how they can support your club’s leaders you can visit ECA Campus.