It all began around a table. The Dinner Club brought together women leaders in an intimate setting, designed down to the last detail to offer something rare in the fast pace of today’s world: time to stop, listen and reflect.
Conceived as a space for networking with depth, The Dinner Club goes beyond social gathering. The idea is to create moments of relaxation, self-reflection and genuine sharing, where each participant can add value to her own way of being and living. In this first edition, the choice was clear: the gathering was exclusively for women. The decision was deliberate, rooted in the need to create a private, safe environment aligned with the initiative’s main focus.
After a demanding working day, knowing that the evening would be spent among other women leaders, in a welcoming space, with relevant conversations and lighter moments, was for many a real break from routine. More than a dinner, it was a conscious pause. The chosen theme, “Mind, Body and Soul”, brought to the centre of the conversation a dimension that is often put off. The approach was structured around three specialists, each devoted to one of the pillars. The model allowed for reflection that was both in-depth and, at the same time, integrated.
The main messages that emerged were clear. The first was awareness, the realisation that many are living on autopilot. This was followed by the recognition that they are not alone in the challenges they face. There was talk of the importance of setting aside time for oneself, of strengthening the inner connection and of understanding that self-love is, above all, the full awareness of one’s own existence. Pausing and breathing were reclaimed as natural acts that are necessary throughout the day.
The mind dimension was worked on as a starting point. Observing thoughts, identifying patterns and practising mindfulness emerged as essential tools for better-aligned decisions and more balanced relationships.
On the body, the emphasis was on actively listening to physical signals. Diet, rest and physical exercise were addressed as concrete pillars for sustaining energy and well-being in the long term. When it came to the soul, the conversation gained depth. Purpose, authenticity and coherence between feeling and acting became key words. The reflection invited each woman to revisit her own essence.
The choice of speakers was decisive for the intensity of the gathering. Carolina Vilalva, Paula Vaz and Nereyda Ah-Hoy brought professional experience and holistic insight, conveying confidence and creating a natural sequence between the themes. The interconnection of the talks made it evident that mind, body and spirit are not isolated compartments but interdependent dimensions. The impact was immediate, and several participants expressed the wish to see the subject explored in greater depth in future editions.
The dinner also had a humanitarian purpose. Participants had the opportunity to contribute donations to support the victims of the floods in Mozambique. The individual experience thus took on a collective dimension. Benefiting from a moment of personal growth while knowing that one is helping those facing hardship strengthened the sense of community.
At the end of the evening, a simple exercise was proposed. Anonymously, each participant wrote the word that best captured what she felt at that moment. The answers repeated themselves strongly: connection and transformation. Two expressions that sum up the atmosphere experienced.
Behind The Dinner Club is the PIONEER Leadership Network for Women in Africa, a platform created in the spirit of promoting women leaders and executives. Its aim is to give women a space where they can simply be, contributing to their professional and personal growth.
PIONEER recognises the need for trust, comfort and privacy among women leaders. It advocates a private environment, where sharing and joint learning happen authentically. It is based on the principles of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion, and also welcomes men who share this alignment in certain programmes and events.
As an arm of the SPROWT Foundation, PIONEER keeps the “Mind, Body & Soul” axis present, as reflected in this edition of The Dinner Club. The holistic approach is regarded as essential not only for women, but for anyone who wishes to develop in a balanced way. Caring, preventing and maintaining inner alignment are conditions for sustainable growth.
The future points to new editions, with different themes, although the foundation of mind, body and soul will remain the common thread. The conviction is clear: no one grows in isolation. Sitting down, talking and creating collective awareness is part of the way forward.
If this first edition showed anything, it is that when women leaders come together in a safe and intentional space, the impact goes beyond the hours shared at the table. It lingers in the way each one returns to her following day, more aware, more connected and ready to transform.
