Alumna of the Economics Degree at Católica Porto Business School (2003), Tânia Tomé is an award-winning Global Ambassador, keynote speaker and CEO of Ecokaya. With more than two decades of experience in leadership, training and executive coaching across more than 22 countries, she is dedicated to empowering women, young people and leaders through initiatives with international impact, including Womenice.Org.
Throughout your career, you have worked in leadership, entrepreneurship, social impact and women’s empowerment. Where does this desire to transform lives and create impact come from? Has it always been part of who you are? At the age of four, I stopped living with my mother, and by the age of 17 I was living independently while working to complete my degree at Católica Porto. Those experiences taught me that technical knowledge is important, but it is human skills that truly transform lives. For me, teaching has always been more than a gift – it has been a mission. I was already tutoring classmates at the age of 12 and continued doing so throughout my time at Católica. Sharing knowledge has always been my way of serving others.
You lead international initiatives that empower women and young people through Womenice and other projects. Was there a particular moment when you realised that is was genuinely changing someone’s life? Nothing moves me more than seeing people I have mentored become global leaders, work at the United Nations, serve as African Union envoys, publish books, build businesses or achieve extraordinary levels of performance and productivity within their organisations. The thousands of messages I receive on Instagram are deeply meaningful to me. Having the opportunity to support people across so many countries, events and training programmes, and to hear their stories, is incredibly rewarding. Their success is my success. I am because we are.
What did you find at Católica Porto Business School that made you choose to continue investing in your education here? And how did that experience shape your journey? I could not have chosen a better education or a better university. Sometimes I even say that Católica chose me. Those were some of the most enriching years of my life, thanks to its academic excellence, the strong connection between theory and practice, and the opportunities that broadened my professional horizons. Beyond knowledge and the opportunity to work during my time at university, Católica gave me exceptional professors with whom I still have the privilege of staying connected. I am deeply grateful – without them, I would never have become the person I am today.
You recently launched the Top 100 Inspiring Women™, an initiative recognising women from different sectors and backgrounds. Why did you feel it was important to create this platform, and what change do you hope it will inspire? When I became the first Portuguese-speaking woman to chair the judging committee of the Global Women in Business Awards in New York, to serve as a judge for the American Business Awards, and the first PALOP member of the Forbes Coaches Council, I realised I might be the first, but I did not want to be the last. I created the Top 100 Inspiring Women™ to help pave the way for other leaders, recognising extraordinary women and giving their talent global visibility. We launched the world's first PALOP and Portuguese-speaking Top 100 list, and it is a privilege to help shape and celebrate that journey.
Looking back on your international journey and the impact you have built, what message would you leave to our students and alumni, particularly young women who aspire to lead, innovate and create change? When we combine purpose, energy and knowledge, we become unstoppable. To the students, alumni and professors of Católica Porto Business School, I leave my deepest gratitude. Much of who I am today – and who I will continue to become – has been built alongside you. Thank you for everything. Succenergy: unlock your energy and discover the success within you.
Fun fact about Tânia: My books have been studied at universities in Brazil, New York, Mozambique and other countries, and are used in academic settings internationally.