Beata Mońka is a visionary entrepreneur whose experiences and opinions, explores the nuances life’s work has been a beacon of creativity, connectivity, and transformative leadership. Our conversation, set against the backdrop of a series celebrating the most influential minds of our time, unfolds as a symphony of ideas and insights into a future crafted by trust and human ingenuity.
As a seasoned professional connecting people and businesses, Beata excels in addressing and overcoming complex market challenges with a track record of success across Polish and international settings. Her expertise spans effective management, business transformation, digitalization, mergers and acquisitions, focusing on sectors including TMTE (Telco/Media/Technology/ Entertainment), FMCG, industry and technology, and services. She’s led diverse teams, managed large-scale projects in multicultural environments, and held senior roles in prominent companies like Omnicom Group, Axel Springer Polska, WPP, Vivendi Group, and Art of Networking.
She initiated and organized ‘BrandMe CEO.’ The project promotes authentic leadership, sharing the best cases of top executives, entrepreneurs, and sports icons. She co-founded the International Leaders Forum, affiliating founders of private and family companies and executives (Poles and expats) from the world of science, culture, and sports icons. She also co-created business networks LiderSHE and Marketing4Business. She’s active in multiple business organizations, including YPO. As a thought leader, she contributes as MBA Executive Advisor and Lecturer at Kozminski University, holds a European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) certification, and engages as a mentor and speaker.
With her radiant energy and unwavering belief in human connection, Beata begins our dialogue by sharing: “I am a happy person; this is how I’d summarise myself.”
Growing up in a post-communist country, Beata found her calling as a dreamer amidst modest beginnings. “I was always the dreamer,” she reflects, driven by a deep-rooted passion for embracing life’s challenges head-on. Encouraged by her parents to chase her passions with dedication, she valued freedom, making independent choices from a young age, like selecting her primary school, in her quest for autonomy, responsibility, and a unique place in society.
Beata emphasizes the critical role of leading by example in pursuing happiness, arguing against the imposition of our definitions of happiness on others.“First and foremost, we must lead by example, as we are living proof of whether our words hold truth and what it truly means to find our internal happiness,” she posits.
Her thirst for knowledge and independence steered her academic and career choices from an early age. She demonstrated a life led on her terms, focused on personal development and making a lasting impact. Her career seamlessly blends analytical prowess and creative flair. She underscores economics’ vital role in balancing aspirations with reality, emphasizing, “When you begin working, it’s essential to generate income. Once you do, you should be capable of distinguishing between the cost of your dreams, values, and the realities of life.” Faced with choosing between Big Four consulting firms and advertising upon returning to Poland from Australia, she chose Omnicom Group to effect genuine change, explaining, “To make a difference in Poland or even the world, I need to initiate change with something that’s beginning in the present moment.” She wanted to be an active and inevitable part of the economic transformation in Poland, introducing foreign brands to Poland, creating new brands for the Polish market, and fostering long-term relationships.
Her current projects, blending education, experience, and extensive network, aim to create substantial positive impacts. “I believe that by bringing together good people with a noble purpose, we truly have the power to make the world a better place,” she states, finding satisfaction in initiatives that offer profound insights and societal benefits. She possesses an impressive international network and excels at bringing together and motivating top talent to collaborate toward a common goal. Her work enhances understanding of social and environmental issues and artificial intelligence, highlighting the potential positive impact of technology. Beata’s journey is a testament to her resilience, strategic insight, and passionate pursuit of progress.
In our dialogue, Beata emphasizes trust as the linchpin for the future amidst technological advancements and societal changes. “Trust was, is, and always will be the foundation,” she declares, illustrating her lifelong commitment to trust, shaped by a nurturing upbringing. This value, she believes, is crucial yet fragile, susceptible to the challenges posed by cultural differences and technological evolution. Beata’s work in Poland, particularly highlighted in the publication “Now You Know,” a summary of Polish and expat CEOs’experiences and opinions, explores the nuances of trust. In today’s misinformation and global unrest climate, she posits trust is indispensable for preserving human connection and integrity.
Echoing Beata’s sentiments, I view trust, truth, and ethics as fundamental, especially given the ethical dilemmas presented by AI and tech advancements. My experience advocating for ethical standards in tech projects has underscored the tension between ethics and profit, further solidifying my commitment to prioritizing humanity over profit-driven motives. Beata views technology, including AI, as ancillary to core human values like freedom, trust, and ethics, warning against eroding our essence without these cornerstones. While acknowledging AI’s capability to mimic aspects of love, she asserts its inability to replicate the profoundness of unconditional love, reflecting our shared belief in the irreplaceable human qualities of empathy, creativity, and compassion.
As an advocate for an intelligent integration of technology and humanity, Beata is deeply committed to an educational project to prevent screen addiction. She emphasizes the importance of education, starting from home and extending to schools, the state, and corporate responsibility, as well as our self-awareness and evaluation of the rationale behind spending time in front of screens. She collaborates with top psychology and behavioral economics professors, institutions, and businesses.
She loves working with younger generations, which led her to initiatives like Econverse, a platform for out-of-school development tailored to young people’s needs and the evolving labor market. “Young people, full of passion and enthusiasm, often present groundbreaking solutions. Despite lacking professional experience, their determination, positive attitude, and ability to benefit from mentoring – along with their sometimes-uncompromising approach – create a solid foundation for companies to build and innovate upon,” she says.
On the advisory board’s readiness for future shifts, Beata underscores the intricate nature of embracing change, pointing out widespread resistance due to its demands. She calls for inclusive leadership and adaptability in decision-making, remarking, “Why? I think this is the journey; this is the challenge. So, if you are leading the company, somehow you should like it.”
Addressing board challenges like risk aversion and homogeneity, I suggest adding younger perspectives to refresh board dynamics. Beata advocates for a mindset of adaptation and curiosity, focusing on actively shaping the future. “Adaptation is the number one keyword,” she asserts, emphasizing the importance of staying dynamic and forwardthinking. As we contemplate the future’s vast changes, Beata
emphasizes adaptability and introspection over concrete advice, emphasizing the quest for personal happiness and fulfillment: “The most important is really to think about yourself to answer a question about inner purpose, peace, and the source of energy that gives us power and motivation. Simply to be happy, every day.”
Her candidness enriches our philosophical exchange, leaving me to wonder about her centennial celebrations. She anticipates a life enriched by technology and wellness, surrounded by dear ones, reflecting a desire for longevity and meaningful connections.
Rejecting conventional wisdom for a message to future generations, Beata advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world: “Let’s be human beings and good people for everybody, animals, planet, and others,” she articulates, showcasing her vision for a better future grounded in kindness and environmental stewardship.
