Interview with General Secretary Barbora Kubikova

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your professional background?

My professional home has always been within law, and over the years, I’ve had the chance to work across a fascinating array of roles and structures. I’ve primarily focused on the core pillars of the financial world: regulation, governance, and compliance. 

When I’m not focused on regulations, my energy goes into my passions: I absolutely love travelling and exploring new places, which always keeps my perspective fresh. I’m a huge dog person (and proud mum of one) and I keep quite active with sports I particularly enjoy the challenge and freedom of cycling and running.

2. What inspired you to join The Network and take on the role of Secretary of The Network?

It truly comes down to my personal philosophy: I’ve always believed that your network is your net worth—it’s the foundation of both professional success and personal fulfillment. I’ve been following The Network for a while, attending several wonderful events and just loving the spirit of the association. I felt a real connection and knew I wanted to do more than just attend. I’m genuinely excited to step up now and contribute my professional skills to help the association grow and thrive.

3. What does the role of Secretary entail, and what are your main objectives for the coming year?

I view the role of General Secretary less as an administrative function and more as being the trusted advisor to the entire board. I see myself as the one who ensures we have that sustainable, rock-solid governance in place and that we are fully compliant with every necessary requirement. It’s about building a stable foundation so the rest of the board can focus on our mission.

Beside of this, for the coming year, I have two big goals close to my heart – connecting locally and globally -I’ll be focused on reaching out and establishing strong relationships with other professional associations, both here in Luxembourg and cross-border  and expanding our reach -the ultimate aim is to use those connections to truly enhance The Network’s purpose—helping to build a vital, supportive international network for women.

4. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges professional women face today, and how can The Network help address them?

The biggest challenge I see is the immense pressure we put on ourselves—this drive to be perfect. We try to be the perfect manager, the perfect colleague, and then also the perfect mother and partner at home. It’s exhausting, and it becomes a huge, unnecessary limitation.

I also believe we are still underestimated in certain industries and roles because we tend to be less aggressive and often lead with humility and relationship-building. That softness is often misunderstood as weakness, when in reality, it’s a form of great strength and emotional intelligence.

The Network can actively build meaningful connection and help members understand the ‘game’ of leadership and business. By simultaneously highlighting the direct business value of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and empathy, we effectively prove that our inherently human approach is actually the most powerful and effective way to lead.

5. Finally, what message would you like to share with the members of The Network as you begin this new chapter?

My message is simple and comes straight from the heart: Be intentional about the people you invite into your life. You must surround yourself and build your network with like-minded people who support you and cheer for your success! When you have that kind of community standing with you, combined with consistent effort, I truly believe you can achieve anything.