On Friday, August 29, 2025, Industriens Hus in Copenhagen was buzzing with life when the Women's Board Award 2025 was presented. The traditional award event brought together Denmark's business elite for an afternoon focusing on leadership, diversity and strong female role models.

This year's recipient of the award was Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Terma A/S, who with a long and international career behind her in Maersk is now at the head of one of Denmark's most important companies. She ran with the honour in a sharp race with the two other nominees, Britta Korre Stenholt and Sisse Fjeldsted Rasmussen, who were both highlighted as strong names on the Danish business scene.

One of the evening's absolute highlights was when the award was presented by the former US ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford. At the same time, he shared his experiences from the United States, where diversity and equality in business continue to be a hot debate. His message was clear: We have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go, and the recent time development in the United States has given the diversity debate several challenges.

That point was also emphasized by the winner himself:

“Receiving this award is a great honour – but it is also a reminder of the responsibility we each have to use our platform to create change ," said Henriette Hallberg Thygesen.

"Creating real momentum for women's representation in management is not about doing something "good" for women. It's about us needing to make the best possible use of the resources and capacity of our society."

It is a jury of experienced board leaders who have chosen Henriette Halberg Thygesen as the recipient of the award this year, with jury leader Claus V. Hemmingsen at the helm:

”Henriette's career spans several continents and many countries and cultures, she has valid experience from top positions in the business world and today sits in a solid CEO role. At the same time, Henriette has clarified her competencies in several heavy boards that have been through complicated processes. Henriette's sober and analytical approach to things, coupled with her great human understanding, empathy, and good leadership skills, leaves no doubt that Henriette Halberg Thygesen is the right recipient of the Women's Board Award 2025 .”

Susanne Hoeck, Co Funder of the Women's Board Award, also enjoyed another successful celebration:

“This is the eleventh time we have awarded the prize, and the interest and relevance are increasing every year. Looking back at the list of previous recipients, we can be proud of the fact that many of our winners today hold chairmanships both in Denmark and internationally. This confirms that it is useful to identify and make visible the women who have the skills to take responsibility at the highest level ." she said.

This year's top candidates were selected by the search company Odgers , and assessed by an independent jury, with Claus V. Hemmingsen at the helm. The award ceremony marked a new chapter in the 11-year history of the Women's Board Award, which continues to inspire more women to make the leap to both top management and board positions. The afternoon in Industriens Hus was therefore both a celebration of strong female role models – and a reminder that the efforts for diversity and equality in the management and board corridors are far from over. And it is at the 11th hour, not least in relation to the EU directive that will come into force on 30 June 2026.

In addition to the honor, the award comes with an exclusive Master Class for Terma's management in Team Leadership

through Emotional Intelligence, donated by AVT Business School.