The Hungarian Business Leaders Forum held its general meeting to elect new board members at a time when the responsibilities of business leaders extend beyond economic performance: trust, ethical conduct, and value-based decision-making have become fundamental prerequisites for competitiveness. The business leaders’ community, which looks back on more than three decades of history and has over 100 members, re-elected Andrea Istenes Solti as president and confirmed the terms of four board members—András Bácsfalvi, Teodóra Bodó, and Beáta Juvancz, and elected two new members to the board: Gabriella Heiszler and Ágnes Kovács. In the coming term, the HBLF will continue to place diversity, responsible corporate governance, and values-based leadership at the center of its work.
In its next term, HBLF said it will continue to focus on diversity, responsible corporate governance and value-based leadership. One of the organization’s key objectives for the coming period is to further strengthen programs that create measurable social and business impact. These include the International X Mentor Program, the Board-Level Program supporting balanced boards and responsible corporate governance, the Financial Summit conference series, which has been running for more than two decades, and support for the Romaster Foundation. While the initiatives operate in different fields, HBLF said they are built on the same values, creating a platform where talent, responsibility and opportunity can meet.
“It is a great honor for me that the HBLF membership has placed its trust in me to continue my work as president. For me, HBLF is a value-based leadership community representing responsible corporate governance, value-based leadership and diversity, which are essential foundations of a successful business environment,” said Andrea Istenes Solti, president of HBLF. She added that the organization, which will mark its 35th anniversary next year, has always responded to relevant economic and social issues through pioneering initiatives and programs based on long-term partnerships. “We will carry this approach and commitment forward in line with HBLF’s mission: The future belongs to everyone,” she said.
“I believe HBLF is not only a business community but also a compass and standard-setting force for corporate leadership in Hungary. I am therefore committed to further strengthening the strategic development of an ethical, responsible and sustainable business culture in Hungary,”– noted András Bácsfalvi, partner at Ernst & Young Consulting and HBLF Board Member responsible for the ethics working group.
“I believe that a community of responsible companies can have a positive impact on economic and social processes, and the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum plays an indispensable role in this. The HBLF shapes responsible business thinking and strengthens value-based dialogue in Hungary. I am convinced that we, as business leaders, have not only an economic responsibility but also a very serious social responsibility: what kind of future we build together for the next generations.” – said Teodóra Bodó, Director of Communications and Governmental Relations – Hungary and the Adriatic Region and HBLF Board Member responsible for communications.
“I’m delighted to join the HBLF; the mentoring program and the equal opportunity charter are particularly important to me.” – added Gabriella Heiszler, managing director of SPAR Hungary and HBLF Board Member responsible for the EU Diversity Charter.
The HBLF aims to create leadership dialogues and programs that address issues relevant to the Hungarian business community, such as the Financial Summit and the CEO Forum. The organization’s operations therefore combine corporate leadership, social impact, and support for future generations.
One of the community’s key strengths is that it brings together members from diverse industries, organizational backgrounds, and leadership experiences. This diversity ensures that the HBLF not only responds to change but also actively shapes responsible business practices.
“From the very first moment, I found the HBLF—which I discovered through the Romaster program—to be a highly credible organization. I came to know it as an organization that not only actively supports positive market trends but also builds a genuine, values-based community. I find the work of the board particularly inspiring: it exemplarily combines professional excellence with the sharing of forward-looking market practices, a consistent commitment to transparency, and a deep, authentic representation of social responsibility.” – said Beáta Juvancz, Managing Director at BlackRock and member of the HBLF Board Member and Treasurer.
“I accepted the position on the HBLF Board of Directors because the development of the domestic business community is important to me, and I believe that I can contribute to this with my strategic approach and international leadership experience.” – said Ágnes Kovács, Managing Director of Coca-Cola HBC Hungary and HBLF Board Member responsible for the HR workshop.
As it approaches its 35th anniversary in the coming years, the HBLF aims to further strengthen its role in the domestic business community. The organization’s goal is to continue building programs and partnerships, with the involvement of member companies and executives, that contribute to strengthening trust, advancing ethical corporate governance, and creating a more inclusive and responsible business culture.