International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global opportunity to celebrate progress, confront inequalities, and champion the leadership of women across every professional sphere. Within medical associations – organisations that influence scientific agendas, clinical standards, and the professional lives of thousands – this day holds particular weight.

These societies have long histories, often shaped during eras when women were underrepresented in medicine and almost entirely absent from senior decision-making roles. Today, as the landscape evolves, IWD serves both as celebration and reminder: progress is real, but the work of embedding equity into leadership is ongoing.

Few examples illustrate this evolution more powerfully than the European Renal Association (ERA). As the organisation prepares for its 2026 Congress in Glasgow, it stands at a historic moment: for the first time, its four most senior Congress roles are held by women.

Leadership Informed by History, Driven by Change

Medical associations carry the weight of long traditions. ERA Executive Director Monica Fontana reflects:

“Medical Societies are traditionally very ‘allergic’ to change and, especially those that have been around for more than 50 years, founded mainly by men who were indeed the vast majority of the physicians at that time.”

Her words highlight a key challenge: the structures that govern scientific communities were not originally designed with gender equity in mind. Even as more women entered the medical workforce, their representation in senior leadership lagged.

“Management by professional staff of Medical Societies… has been and still is mostly in the hands of women, however… the proportion of women leaders does not at all reflect the numbers of those who work in this field.”

ERA has, however, been ahead of the curve in some areas:

“ERA has always been in the frontline in this sense as it has always had a woman leading the ERA HQ, a position that I now have the pleasure and honour to fulfil.”

She concludes with a powerful aspiration:

“I however dream of a time… in which these differences will no longer exist and in which merit and competence will be the only features that will grant leadership positions.”

ERA 2026: A Milestone in Representation and Culture

The senior leadership team guiding ERA 2026 comprises:

Roser Torra – ERA President
Kate Stevens – ERA 2026 Congress President
Serhan Tuglular – ERA 2026 Scientific Committee Chair
Monica Fontana – ERA Executive Director

This alignment is notable not because it was engineered, but because it emerged naturally from expertise and collaboration.

Kate Stevens explains:

“In every scientific community, leadership shapes not only the direction of a congress but the spirit in which we work together. What feels significant about ERA 2026 is not only that women hold the four most senior roles, but that this leadership has evolved naturally from expertise, commitment and shared purpose.”

She adds:

“It signals a culture where collaboration, respect and integrity guide decision making at every level and individuals are selected on ability to fulfil a role well and not because of anything else.”

Her hope for the future reflects the spirit of International Women’s Day:

“In the near future, representation like this will no longer be remarkable or newsworthy, it will be normal.”

Leadership Through Communication, Connection and Purpose

ERA Director of Marketing & Communication Laura Azzolini highlights how leadership shapes organisational culture:

“From my perspective, working in communication and sustainability, leadership is reflected every day in the way an organisation speaks, listens and shows up.”

“Having women in key roles at ERA has shaped not only what we do, but how we do it — with a strong focus on collaboration, openness and long-term impact.”

She emphasises the importance of connection:

“Communication is not just about sharing scientific excellence, but about creating connection, trust and a sense of belonging.”

Scientific Leadership Strengthened by Diversity

Scientific Committee Chair Serhan Tuglular highlights the value of diverse leadership:

“Serving within an all-female leadership team at ERA feels like a natural progression of where our community is today.”

“Diverse leadership enriches decision-making, broadens priorities and ultimately strengthens the scientific agenda we build for our community.”

He also offers encouragement to women entering research careers:

“Your voice, your ideas and your perspective matter — even early on… Persistence is often as important as brilliance.”

A Presidency that Embodies Progress

ERA President Roser Torra reflects on the significance of the moment:

“Being part of an all-female senior leadership team at ERA is both a privilege and a powerful signal of how our field is evolving.”

“As the first woman President of ERA, I feel a deep sense of responsibility, but also pride in showing that leadership in nephrology is defined by vision, competence and collaboration, not by gender.”

A New Chapter for Medical Leadership

ERA 2026 is more than a milestone – it is a sign of progress in how leadership within global scientific communities continues to evolve.

As International Women’s Day reminds us each year, progress happens when organisations recognise talent, challenge bias and create cultures where every voice is valued.

The ERA leadership team reflects that ethos – quietly, confidently and with purpose – demonstrating that inclusive leadership strengthens the entire scientific community.