Romania That Inspires – The Business Excellence Gala Honored the Leaders Shaping the Future
**** An evening dedicated to performance, leadership, and partnership for Romania’s development
The National Military Circle Palace hosted the Business Excellence Gala, a prestigious event organized by the European Association of Businesswomen (PEFA) in strategic partnership with the Ministry of National Defence (MApN). The gala celebrated performance, innovation, and leadership in business and education, bringing together leading figures from the public and private sectors, central administration leaders, diplomats, and representatives of academia and civil society.
The official opening featured the presence of Ștefan Radu Oprea, Secretary General of the Government of Romania; Cosmin Dumitrescu, Consul General of Romania in Turin; Eduard Bachide, State Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence; and Florin Jianu, Senator and Honorary President of IMM Romania.
The gala began with the Excellence Awards in Education, recognizing the outstanding achievements of students from Transilvania University of Brașov, who received the Excellence Award at the European Skills Olympiad – EuroSkills Herning 2025, in the Mechatronics category. The event continued with awards for the business community, acknowledging resilience and performance achieved under challenging economic conditions.
Notable awardees included financial institutions and well-known companies from both the public and private sectors, as well as exceptional individuals and projects: BCR, ALRO, CANCOM Romania, Transgaz SA, Grampet Group, CEC Bank, Ansi Holding (member of Alexander International), UNSAR, Cristina Bălan – PARFUMONDE, Pluxee Romania, Intelligent Romania Platform – Antena 3 CNN, Electrica S.A., Advanced Business Software, DN AGRAR, SN Nuclearelectrica SA, CN Romarm SA, Cloud 9, IMSAT Groupe SNEF, and Cosmetrice.
Andreea Negru, President of PEFA, stated:
“Excellence is not a coincidence; it is the result of consistency, courage, and commitment to authentic values. This gala celebrates the people who, through their vision and actions, truly transform the business, institutional, and educational environment, becoming models of inspiration for the entire society. Through initiatives like the Excellence Gala, PEFA reaffirms its commitment to building lasting bridges between the private sector, public administration, and education, contributing to the development of a stronger Romania – a Romania where balance, fairness, and performance are the norm, not the exception.”
Lorena Stoian, First Vice President of PEFA, added:
“The Business Excellence Gala showed that true performance is born from collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. When women and men join forces in the spirit of genuine partnership, professionalism, and solidarity, success becomes the expression of shared values and the desire to create good around us. This year, the public–private partnership demonstrated that when institutions and businesses work together with vision and responsibility, the results become examples of real progress. Together, we show that success is built as a team and that true strength lies in unity.”
The event also carried special significance through the continuation of the #SheForRomania campaign, conducted by MApN in partnership with PEFA, which promotes female leadership, professional excellence, and the active participation of women in public life and decision-making environments.
Through its scope and prestige, the Business Excellence Gala has established itself as a national benchmark for recognizing value and achievement, bringing forward authentic examples of success and collaboration between state institutions and the private sector.
The Business Excellence Gala 2025 was organized with the support of the partners who contributed to its success: CEC Bank, Pluxee Romania, Cancom, ALRO, BCR, SN Nuclearelectrica S.A., Exim Banca Românească, Transgaz S.A., SALROM, Advanced Business Software, Electrica S.A., UNSAR – The National Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies, DN Agrar, CNTEE Transelectrica S.A., Austrotherm Romania, ANSI Holding, DO Security, Diana Dragomir & Asociații, the Association for the Development of Indigenous Entrepreneurship (ADAA), Elysee, Fiterman Pharma, Cotnari, Britwood 144, Magnolia, Sabon, Pfinner, Perfect Royal Events, Cosmetrice, Reciclad’OR, and Chocoland.
Strategic Partner: Ministry of National Defence (MApN).
Institutional Partners: National Agency for Drug and Addiction Policy and Coordination, and IMM Romania.
Media Partners: Antena 3 CNN, Canal 33, Agerpres, Financial Intelligence, Curs De Guvernare, Club Economic, Economistul, Transilvania Business, Ziarul Bursa, I AM News, Business-Review.eu, InvesTenergy, The Diplomat Bucharest, EM360, Club Antreprenor, Focus Energetic, Money.ro, Energy Industry Review, News One, V4 Media, and Iubim Brașovul.
Media Monitoring Partner: Klarmedia.
About PEFA
The European Association of Businesswomen (PEFA) is a national employers’ organization and a member of IMM Romania, the only nationally representative confederation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). PEFA promotes and supports gender equality, as well as the role and importance of women in society and the economy. The association provides entrepreneurs with a strong platform to make their voices heard both nationally, in relations with central and local authorities, and at the European level. PEFA represents the interests of its members—companies from all fields of activity, led by both women and men—in professional and international employers’ organizations.
