"Eva on Stage" makes female leaders visible - Interview with Annette Felicitas Häcki
Almost 70 percent of all speakers at conferences worldwide are male - sometimes women are even completely absent. The Executive Voices Academy "Eva on Stage" brings female voices to the stage.
Women are still significantly underrepresented at conferences and congresses. Almost 70 percent of speakers worldwide are male. At some events, there are no women on stage at all - and if there are, then as a moderator or on a group panel.
Competent and self-confident
The fact is that too few female experts are invited. After all, there are female thought leaders in every field. On the other hand, according to the event organizers themselves, it is often difficult to find a female speaker. Some decline when they are asked to give a keynote speech.
Eva on Stage is an excellence program that starts right here. It is aimed at female leaders who want to professionalize their performance skills. After all, time is short in the hectic world of day-to-day management and personal expectations are high. So it is better to turn down an invitation than not meet one's own expectations.
Visibility as a success factor
This is an untapped opportunity. Visibility is no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic advantage. Those who impress on stage set the tone in the industry, gain reach and shape the perception of the employing company. For companies, this means measurable benefits for employer branding, reputation and network. If, on the other hand, women are underrepresented, this diminishes the competence attributed to them.
Renowned experts and live event
At Eva On Stage, experienced coaches accompany the female leaders in group and individual coaching sessions. They are trained by the experts with lots of practical exercises and video and vocal analysis in all aspects that are important for a professional performance on stage.
The well-known presenter and communications trainer Kiki Mäder combines stage practice with media experience and shows how performances can be authentic and effective. Inês Moura, international voice and breathing expert, provides practical advice on how voice and breathing can be used in a targeted manner on stage. Angélique Beldner, experienced TV and radio journalist, prepares you for the big stage. And storytelling expert Annette Felicitas Häcki will ensure that topics are sharpened, messages are conveyed clearly and content is remembered for a long time. The program also includes styling advice and interview training.
The highlight and conclusion of the Excellence Training is a live performance at an exclusive networking event. The first class will start in September 2026. Interested parties can register for the priority list via evaonstage.com. Places are limited to ten female leaders per class.
Interview with Annette Felicitas Häcki, initiator of "Eva on Stage"
m&k: Women are still clearly in the minority at conferences. Why is that a problem?It is a problem because important perspectives are lost as a result. Women in management positions bring expertise, responsibility and topics that enrich the discourse. If they are missing, debates remain one-sided. And there is also a lack of role models who inspire other women to take the next step. The visibility of female leaders is therefore not only an individual issue, but also a social one.
Annette Felicitas Häcki: Not all successful women take the opportunity when they are invited. Some turn them down. Why is that?
This is often not due to a lack of self-confidence, but to the general conditions. Leadership means busy schedules, little preparation time and prioritizing other tasks. At the same time, many women set themselves particularly high standards when they take to the stage: They want to show excellence, not just "get by somehow". And sometimes people underestimate the strategic difference that visibility actually makes - both for their own role and for the company.
What exactly is different about Eva On Stage compared to traditional performance training?
Eva On Stage is not a standard training course, but an excellence program. It combines all the relevant aspects of a strong performance: from voice, body language and storytelling to media presence, technique, outfit and stage routine. Each module is led by renowned female experts. In addition, an exclusive community of female leaders is created to support each other.
What role does the community play?
Eva on Stage is not just a program, but also a network. It is tailored to female leaders and limited to ten participants per class. In addition to individual performance skills, a circle of strong voices grows, helping each other to progress and enriching the discourse in the long term. Also in the hope that they will recommend each other as speakers if they themselves do not have time when invited or if the topic does not suit them.
Why is visibility a strategic success factor today - especially for managers?
Because the stage has an impact far beyond the individual appearance. Those who impress there shape the perception of an entire industry and strengthen the company they represent. Visibility is therefore a management tool. And especially in the age of AI, the human factor counts: attitude, credibility and presence cannot be automated.
What role does the DAY Partners agency play in this project?
Visibility is also a core value in our work as an agency. With Day Partners, we support companies in strengthening brands and empowering structures. This expertise flows into Eva on Stage, for example in the Storytelling module. For us, Eva on Stage is the logical continuation of our approach.
What do you wish for the future of Eva on Stage?
I hope that it will become a matter of course to hear a balanced mix of voices at every specialist conference. And that women do not see the stage as an additional burden, but as a strategic opportunity to make their expertise visible, help shape debates and act as role models. If we contribute to this, we will have achieved our goal.
