Denisa Materová at Forbes Women's Summit
He manages one of the largest engineering groups in the Czech Republic, builds relationships, gathers experience and carries on the legacy of the family name. Denisa Materová, CEO of Promet Group, spoke at the Forbes Women's Summit about taking over from her father, the challenges of business and the power of the female perspective.
Forbes called her the "Iron Lady" because she runs one of the largest family-owned engineering groups in the Czech Republic with more than 4,000 employees in the companies that belong to it.
She also told presenter Michal Bernáth of Forbes Czechia:
"I don't think I can give advice. I can only tell my story. I didn't get a pat on the back from people who knew my dad. But I was pleased when some of those people told me they saw him in me. Not just in looks. Genes are just genes."
- Forbes Women's Summit 2025
- Networking, inspiration and stories of women in business
- More than 50 speakers on stage
- And 1,000 attendees in the audience
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OTHER MOMENTS:
"Women in business are often afraid to make mistakes. It has to do with motherhood. As mothers, we don't want to make mistakes. But in business, don't be afraid to make mistakes, go for it!"
- Diana Rádl Rogerová, partner at Behind Inventions
"Women belong in society. And women belong in business."
- Tatiana le Moigne, philanthropist, founder of Inspire & Impact Network
"At the beginning of your career, there is usually someone who will tell on you: She's smart, she can do it. And then you have to take that chance 100 percent."
- Barbora Vaculíková, CEO of Penta Hospitals
"Music is a huge risk. I've been doing it for 10 years and it's only now that it's starting to work. You have to be a little bit crazy to do it."
- Pam Rabbit, singer
