BIO

Cristina Chiriac is a prominent figure at both the national and European level for her sustained efforts to promote female entrepreneurship, inclusive education, and gender equality. Her initiatives, which have culminated in national awareness campaigns with a direct impact into legislative initiatives, have earned her the title of VET Ambassador for Romania in the European Skills Week organized by the European Commission and also a board membership of the WEgate – European Gateway for Women’s Entrepreneurship as a representative for the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) – the only Romanian organization that is a member of the WEgate Council.

With a doctorate in economics, and as a successful author and entrepreneur, Cristina Chiriac has over 23 years of professional experience, including 17 years in leadership roles in both the private and public administration sectors (8 years). She has served as a member of the board of directors/administrator in over 10 companies, as well as a censor within 4 research institutes. Over the years, she has made significant contributions in defining economic efficiency strategies for companies in which the state held a majority or minority shareholding, and she is the author of the only definitive analysis of the three-dimensional effects of the privatization process: economic, legal, and social.

Her knowledge of both economics and law demonstrates her rigorous ability to establish directions for economic development and efficiency, as well as a profound understanding of the Romanian business ecosystem. Her desire to align Romania with European values and global trends led her to found the National Association of Entrepreneurs in Romania and the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF).

As the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Women in Economy magazine and the host of the podcast Șlefuitori de Visuri, Cristina Chiriac has created platforms dedicated to amplifying the voices of leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Through Women in Economy, she showcases the stories of leaders who shape the future of business and society, while Șlefuitori de Visuri offers a poetic and intimate exploration of the journeys, struggles, and aspirations that define the human spirit. Together, these initiatives embody her lifelong mission: to inspire, empower, and unite communities around the values of resilience, creativity, and collective impact.

CONAF is the only and strongest employers’ confederation in Romania whose main objective is to support and promote female entrepreneurship. CONAF currently brings together 2 federations, 12 employers’ associations, 30 branches, and 38 associations representing the interests of over 5,500 local or multinational entrepreneurs.

As an iconic presence in female leadership, Cristina Chiriac, in her capacity as President-Founder of CONAF, publicly exposed and supported for the first time in Romania the necessity of gender quotas, leading to parliamentary and governmental debate for the proportional presence of women in politics and public administration.

Over the past 20 years, she has published numerous articles, books, and participated in numerous conferences, events, and debates, both nationally and internationally, on topics related to economics and beyond. She is widely perceived by the public as a representative of inclusive entrepreneurial initiatives, as well as a promoter of Romanian values in a global context.