Today's women entrepreneurs should blend strategic vision, academic rigor, and a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact to navigate modern business complexities. Strategic vision ensures long-term success and adaptability, while academic rigor fosters critical thinking and innovation. A commitment to positive impact builds ethical businesses that resonate with customers and communities, creating a meaningful legacy. This combination enables effective leadership and inspires future generations. Dr Anna Rivna exemplifies this mix, demonstrating how these qualities can drive success and positive change.

Dr Anna Rivna is a dynamic and visionary leader, serving as the CEO of RIVNA Partners, a premier firm specializing in executive search, HR consulting, and recruiting process outsourcing. With a profound commitment to excellence, reliability and innovation, Dr Anna Rivna is on the path to leading RIVNA Partners to the forefront of the industry, renowned for its unparalleled service, consultative approach and its strong sense of cultural values.

Below is an excerpt of Dr Anna Rivna’s exclusive interaction with The Global Woman Leader magazine.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What were some key early influences in life that shaped you as an individual?

My formative years were deeply shaped by growing up in a small village in Ukraine on a farm, where I began assisting with household chores at a very young age. This upbringing instilled in me a strong work ethic and the belief that hard work is essential for achieving success in life. Financial struggles in our family taught me valuable lessons in earning and managing money wisely. When I was 12, we moved to Austria without any financial resources or knowledge of the language. During that time, we undertook any available job to afford my schooling. This experience instilled in me a strong sense of self-responsibility and determination to pursue my dreams and maintain my vision in life regardless of the circumstances. My vision was to integrate into a new environment while remaining authentic and true to my individuality. From the outset, I had a clear goal of where I saw myself in 20 years: in a place where my parents would be proud of me.

“It's inspiring to witness more women breaking through barriers & assuming positions of influence & decision-making”

What have been some of the most crucial junctures throughout your professional journey?

Some of the pivotal moments in my professional journey have been marked by personal discovery and advocacy. I left my long years in banking without a clear path forward, driven by an urgent need for change. Later, I discovered my passion for the consulting industry, which brought incredible fulfillment, yet I yearned for workplaces driven by values that are desperately needed in the working world.

The idea of starting my own company brought everything together, providing me with a platform to embody the values I always wished other companies would prioritize: principles like equality, respect, and humanity, which apply universally to partners, clients, or candidates – I do not categorize – and straightforwardness, the actual translation of 'RIVNA' in Ukrainian.

Introduce us to RIVNA Partners. Throw some light on the key responsibilities you shoulder as the company’s CEO.

RIVNA Partners operates in three key areas: executive search, HR consulting, and recruiting process outsourcing. We excel in matching top-tier talent with companies, focusing on executive and C-level positions, also, beyond headhunting, our vision is to be consultative, helping individuals find jobs they are passionate about. Our mantra, together for a better work environment, embodies our commitment to both clients and candidates.

As CEO, my key responsibilities include driving this culture, ensuring we deliver exceptional service, and fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment within the company.

Throw some light on the major challenges you encounter as a business leader. How do you overcome the said roadblocks?

As a business leader committed to upholding strong values, it is essential for me to go beyond mere advocacy and authentically integrate these principles into every aspect of life—both professional and personal. And this is not always easy, due to the complexities of human interactions and the diverse challenges we face in the world, constantly pushing us to test our limits. Achieving this integration requires unwavering dedication, discipline and effort—resilience has proven to be essential.

Another challenge I encounter is what could be termed as 'survivor's remorse.' Setting high expectations for myself has propelled me to my current position, and I hold equally high expectations for RIVNA Partners. However, it's vital to recognize that success is a team effort. Not everyone shares the same ambition or willingness to 'climb the mountain,' and as a leader, I must navigate the difficult decision of either supporting team members through their journey or making tough decisions for the progress of the organization.

Moreover, maintaining the heights we achieve is yet another ongoing challenge. It's not just about reaching goals but ensuring sustainable success over time. This requires continuous adaptation, innovation, and a proactive approach to evolving challenges in our industry.

In overcoming these roadblocks, I emphasize fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member feels empowered and motivated to contribute to our collective success. Clear communication, empathy, and strategic decision-making are pivotal in navigating these challenges and steering RIVNA Partners towards continued growth and excellence.

In your opinion what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey? What has been your success mantra over the years?

In my professional journey, the biggest 'wins' for me transcend mere accomplishments. It's about waking up each day inspired and motivated, surrounded by a supportive team, and leading a company I passionately believe in. Success, for me, isn't just about milestones but about creating a positive impact through genuine leadership and steadfast dedication to my core values.

How do you foresee women’s representation in leadership roles evolving in the European business landscape?

In the European business landscape, women's representation in leadership is poised for significant growth. We've seen immense progress through numerous events, discussions, and communities focused on women's challenges and opportunities. Now, it's time to transition from talking to taking action. I firmly believe actions speak louder than words, and it's crucial for women to seize these opportunities and demonstrate their capabilities.

It's inspiring to witness more women breaking through barriers and assuming positions of influence and decision-making. This is a journey that requires commitment from all sectors, and I'm hopeful that together, we can accelerate progress and create a future where every gender has the opportunity to lead and thrive.

Dr Anna Rivna, CEO, Rivna Partners

Dr Anna Rivna is the CEO of RIVNA Partners, leading in executive search, HR consulting, and recruiting process outsourcing. With a PhD and a background in banking, she champions authenticity and integrity in leadership, fostering a dynamic and impactful approach to talent management and business strategy.