From a Small Circle to a Strong Community
What began as a small circle of ambitious international female friends in Munich, Germany is now a bright community of women supporting each other for personal and professional growth and career integration in Bavaria.
Our members are seasoned professionals from a variety of industries, from banking and finance to technology, automotive and construction. Most of them have international careers with major companies such as Amazon, IBM, BMW and Audi. Yet our community also welcomes women who are just starting out in their professional journey.
Smooth work integration in Bavaria
How It All Began
A small group of international female professionals in Munich starts meeting regularly. What begins as drinks and conversations quickly turns into something more: mutual support, shared expertise, and the wish to grow.
Women's Career Growth Community is officially founded as a non-profit self-help initiative ("Selbsthilfeinitiative"). In addition to meetups, members gain access to community-exclusive, career-related learning events.
The community grows and becomes more ambitious. Alongside internal speakers, WCGC starts partnering with professional coaches and trainers to deliver high-quality workshops.
The City of Munich recognises Women's Career Growth Community mission and provides financial support. This funding helps us expand our program and offer even more opportunities for our members.
Is your Community open and who are its members?
The Women's Career Growth Community is an open community that fosters a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for highly qualified female professionals with an international background.
Our community is not politically, economically, or religiously affiliated. The main principles of our community are mutual respect and support.
Our core audience is women with higher education who aspire to have a corporate career in Germany, specifically in Munich and Bavaria. We don't restrict our focus to any particular industry or professional trajectory.
Please note that we are not affiliated with the Agentur für Arbeit or any providers of vocational training.
Choose your perfect event
Sharing Our Mission at Munich City Hall
On 10 October 2025 our founders Ekaterina Chernyavskaya and Dr. Oksana Koval spoke in the Great Council Chamber of Munich City Hall (Neues Rathaus) about the often invisible barriers faced by internationally educated women in Munich.
In their talk, they highlighted the economic and societal losses that occur when this talent remains overlooked. Drawing on insights from the Women’s Career Growth Community and current research, they explored the structural factors that hinder successful integration and career progression, the role of bias and social narratives, and gave practical solutions that policymakers, civil society, and organisations can implement to unlock this potential.
The session took place as part of the 4th Munich Women’s Conference (Münchner Frauenkonferenz), which featured a diverse program of forums, workshops, lectures, and artistic contributions.
The event underscored that visibility, participation, and equal opportunity for internationally educated women are not niche topics - they are essential for the future of a diverse and innovative city. Munich needs these women, and the city benefits when their expertise is recognized and enabled.
Photo credit: Evgeniia Kerkmann
“Christmas in Munich” Walking Tour🎄
In late November 2025, our members received a special after-workshop treat: a private walking tour through Munich’s Christmas markets, exclusively for the Women’s Career Growth Community.
During the tour, attendees discovered the many faces of Munich’s festive season: from markets that felt like stepping into the Middle Ages, complete with musicians and performers, to classic postcard scenes and more modern interpretations with bold ideas and colors.
The walk was not only about gingerbread and mulled wine. Our guide shared stories and culinary hidden gems tucked away in unexpected corners.
Held on the First Advent, the tour offered a cozy, cultural way to connect, listen, and experience “Christmas in Munich” as a living story, not just a collection of stalls.
Celebrating The 2nd Birthday Of Our Community
On 30 October 2025, Women's Career Growth Community celebrated its second anniversary with a warm evening of conversation, connection, and shared energy at Projektraum Nautilus in Munich.
Members and newcomers came together to mark two years of community, growth, and mutual support. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants exchanged updates, met new women from the network, and enjoyed meaningful conversations beyond career topics.
Visiting WebSummit Lisbon 2026
In November 2025, the founders of Women’s Career Growth Community, together with several members, visited Web Summit in Lisbon - one of Europe’s key gatherings for tech, innovation, and digital business.
The goal was clear: to stay close to the latest developments across AI, digital products, future-of-work, and emerging technologies, and to understand which trends are becoming relevant for professionals and organizations right now. Beyond the keynotes, the attendees explored the exhibition areas, followed expert panels, and exchanged perspectives with an international audience, collecting ideas, questions, and practical insights.
This trip was not only an inspiring experience. It was also an investment in WCGC’s program quality: bringing fresh impulses back to Munich and turning global tech and digital trends into cutting-edge workshop topics that are relevant, applicable, and grounded in real-world change.
Turning 1 Year Old
October 2024 marked one year since our community officially launched. Starting as a small group of friends, we have grown into a full-scale learning and networking platform for dozens of amazing women in Munich.
We thank our members for being part of this success — there's much more to come! 🥂
