The 2nd BSWN Leadership Meeting took place from May 20 to 22, 2025, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
This marks the first change in leadership since the founding of the network in December 2021, aimed at strategizing for the advancement of the association over the next two years.
The Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) held its 2025 Leadership Meeting with the objective of assessing progress and refining our strategic direction. This marks the first change in leadership since the founding of the network in December 2021, aimed at strategizing for the advancement of the association over the next two years. As of May 2025, we proudly have 175 registered members from 45 countries, up from 50 registered members from 5 countries in May 2023.
We extend heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors and partners whose generous support made this meeting in Istanbul possible. We are especially thankful to the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, and Los Alamos National Laboratory for their commitment to advancing women’s leadership in the nuclear field.
We also want to acknowledge our outgoing leadership team, Nataliia Klos and Shorena Lortkipanidze. Their visionary leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping BSWN into a dynamic and impactful network. We are grateful for the solid foundation they have built as they pass the baton to the new leadership team: President Mădălina Ștefanic, Vice-President Valeriia Gergiieva, and General Secretary Muhammed Ali Alkış. We wish them the best as they lead the network with renewed energy.
The meeting convened twenty participants, including board members, regional coordinators, assistant volunteers, and observers, to assess our progress and refine our strategic direction. The primary objectives included enhancing our organizational structure, improving regional coordination, and developing a clear roadmap for the future.
The meeting featured two days of intensive working sessions, culminating in a visit to Istanbul Technical University. Key discussions focused on strategic communication, member engagement, and the expansion of our mentorship program, alongside finalizing BSWN’s action plan from 2025 until 2027.
With renewed leadership and momentum, BSWN is well-positioned to empower women and strengthen nuclear security efforts across the Black Sea region. Several initiatives are already underway, including plans for the third cycle of the BSWN Mentorship Program and the upcoming session “Over a Cup of Coffee with BSWN,” set for September 2025.
Together, we look forward to fostering collaboration and achieving our strategic goals in the nuclear sector, creating a more inclusive environment for women throughout the region.