one: Elisabeth, why is it important to you personally to specifically support women in their development?

Elisabeth Promberger: For me, it's a matter of course that we support each other. I grew up with this, first in my family and later in competitive sport, where team spirit plays a major role. My first coach had a particular influence on me: he believed in me and gave me courage and strength. This experience had a strong influence on me and became my motto in life: anything is possible.

On my professional path, I have also repeatedly encountered people who have placed their trust in me and believed in me. This has encouraged me to continue on my path. That is precisely why it is important to me today to pass on courage, strength and confidence, especially to women.

I am convinced that women enrich teams. Not because they are better, but because they bring different perspectives to the table. This diversity is crucial because it has been proven to make companies more successful. My aim is to make the many talents of women more visible and in turn inspire other women. When women become visible and empower each other, role models are created. Role models who encourage women to surpass themselves and take on new tasks.

one: Visibility doesn't just happen on its own - it often takes people to shine a light on you. How do you go about it as a mentor at Women's Drive, for example?

Elisabeth Promberger : This visibility means that women outside of Women's Drive often approach me and ask: How did you do that? What advice would you give me?

I always try to be very open. From the outside, many things may look easy and obvious, but in reality, every journey is a process. I'm still on my path too. I think it's very empowering when we talk honestly about the fact that development takes time.

one: What motivates you as a mentor - and what makes you particularly proud?

Elisabeth Promberger : Above all, I am motivated by the development that I am able to observe in my mentees. It's inspiring to see how they grow and find their own way. At the same time, their perspectives also enrich me and my everyday life. At the beginning of a mentoring programme, it's all about listening and asking questions: Why is this important to you? What do you really want to achieve? These questions help you to reflect and gain clarity. This often leads to new and surprising perspectives.

I deliberately don't give quick advice in the sense of "you have to do it this way or that way". Every woman has her own life situation, her own pace and her own path. I see my role as empowering women: to believe in themselves, to develop confidence in their own abilities, to find the courage to go their own way.

One of my mentees with management responsibility once told me that she was much more confident in difficult discussions with employees after our exchange and was able to strengthen the confidence of her team as a result.

one: In your opinion, what does it take to achieve a more balanced gender ratio at senior management levels? And what contribution can senior managers already make today?

Elisabeth Promberger : A more balanced ratio doesn't just happen on its own. It requires conscious promotion and real attention. It is crucial to recognise talent at an early stage and to prepare women specifically for management roles. This brings us back to the issue of visibility: women need to be recognised and promoted at an early stage. A person grows with every new responsibility - regardless of gender.

one: Can you give an example of this active promotion from your everyday life?

Elisabeth Promberger: When I visit a REWE store, I sometimes speak specifically to female store managers and ask them whether they can imagine becoming self-employed with us. I'm often surprised to hear: "Oh, you think I'm capable of that?" And right at that moment, something happens. Suddenly someone starts to trust themselves more and actually go down this path. I've often experienced this and it makes me particularly happy.

This active encouragement is often a real door opener. And that brings me back to my former trainer: you surpass yourself when someone believes in you - sometimes even before you believe in it yourself.