‘There is no position or business in this world that is not for a woman’
Silva Mesropyan’s story mixes personal achievement with a broader mission, shaping a future where female potential is not just acknowledged but actively nurtured for societal advancement.
With a career spanning over 18 years in business consultancy, including roles such as mentor, trainer and coach, Silva Mesropyan has crossed borders, both real and metaphorical. Her work has taken her far and wide, particularly in the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and her native Armenia), cultivating expertise in everything from NGO management to public-private dialogue (PPD).
“I have a finance degree and started my career in banking, then specialised in business support services,” says Mesropyan. “Then I built my career as a management consultant to have a more targeted impact on business development, coming up with solutions to solve problems.”
But the narrative of Mesropyan’s journey is more than a list of titles; it’s a story of ambition and impact, a path marked by a quest for targeted influence on business development and female empowerment.
“I always envisioned myself in a role filled with elegance and influence, working in beautiful offices,” she says. “I initially didn’t know about the existence of my profession, but time somehow brought me closer to what I dreamt of achieving.”
Today, Mesropyan shapes the future of business as an individual consultant and leads both the Institute of Management Consulting (IMC) Armenia and an NGO, Innovative Women Entrepreneurship.
‘Women in Armenia are making great strides’
While Armenia’s strong and proud traditions often paint a picture of a deeply patriarchal society, the threads are changing hues as women’s empowerment weaves its way into the country’s fabric.
“Family relations were built over many years on the basis of established and transmitted values and rules. The role of the father in Armenian families is very important as the roof of the family and the main decision maker,” Mesropyan admits, before adding: “but it doesn’t preclude the empowerment of women, which has become increasingly evident across various sectors: business, politics, science. Currently, women are making great strides in IT, hospitality, manufacturing and other sectors, both as founders and as female executives.”
Mesropyan says that her upbringing in a family of educators sheltered her from the brunt of gender biases, allowing her career to flourish without having to conform to “feminine” expectations. She adds that in her particular profession, gender stereotypes have been shattered: “Female consultants have long since broken down all boundaries,” she says.
Confidence and courage
Nevertheless, Mesropyan acknowledges the lingering societal obstacles facing women, especially when venturing into business ownership or career progression.
“The main difficulties lie in motivation, self-confidence, and the lack of initial capital,” she says. Overcoming these barriers is akin to a victory, she suggests, as success becomes the most potent rebuttal to scepticism. Women, she adds, have great potential and empowering them, “is the monetisation and dissemination of their potential.”
To the aspiring female leaders of Armenia, her advice is clear and compelling: Be self-confident and courageous.
“Women should be self-confident and more courageous, because you don’t need to wait for better times and opportunities, because they won’t come if you don’t go for it yourself. Women should not look back, but rather look to the future.”
She encourages women not to yield to stereotypes but to seize opportunities and embrace mutual empowerment. “Every opportunity is intended for a woman,” she states emphatically. “There is no position or business in this world that is not for a woman.”
“And I would like to emphasise a very important fact,” Mesropyan continues. “Women should learn to empower each other, because the unity of the women’s community is a better vision of the future. It is also important to emphasise that a successful woman is the foundation of a stronger and healthier family.”
Women leading women
When it comes to supporting the ascent of women in Armenia, she sees great potential in mentoring and collaboration. Her extensive work with start-ups (she works with more than 500 each year), predominantly led by women, highlights the need for skill development and the scaling of businesses.
“Women are more dutiful, consistent, responsible and careful,” she says. “But a lack of skills can sometimes prevent them from pursuing more innovative businesses or from growing their business. That’s why most women-led businesses are small.”
Creating opportunities for scaling-up are vital, she suggests, while also highlighting the importance of family involvement in women empowerment programmes, “so that they are on the same page and can support each other.”
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