Events coincide with Rio de Janeiro as 2025 UNESCO World Book Capital
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – June **, 2025: PublisHer, the global movement championing women’s leadership in publishing, has led an emphatic double programme in Rio de Janeiro, hosting the PublisHer Summit and featuring at Bienal do Livro, Latin America’s largest literary festival.
PublisHer’s Brazilian engagements, coinciding with Rio’s 2025 UNESCO World Book Capital status, strengthened ties with South American publishing communities in a reinforcement of PublisHer’s mission to drive inclusive leadership across the global industry.
Building Momentum at the PublisHer Summit
More than 100 women joined the Summit on 12 June, co-organized with the national publishing association, SNEL, and Brazilian publishing leaders, for an energizing programme of panels and community building.
Opening remarks came from Flávia Bravin, SNEL Director and PublisHer Advisory Board Member, and Zhora Qureshi, Managing Director of PublisHer, who highlighted the power of global platforms to connect women across cultures.
Three standout panels explored leadership, generational change, and emerging voices:
- Advancing Women’s Leadership in Publishing, moderated by journalist Talita Facchini, featured Leonora Monnerat (HC Brasil), Amarilys Manole (Manole Conteúdo), Camila Visnadi (Sylvamo), and Zhora Qureshi.
- Looking Back, Moving Forward focused on intergenerational perspectives, with Flávia Bravin moderating and contributions from Ana Paula S. Matos (Saraiva Educação), Lidiane Olo (Saber Educação), Sonia Machado Jardim (Grupo Editorial Record), and Karine Pansa (Girassol Brasil Edições).
- NextGen Voices, moderated by Laura Di Pietro (Tabla), spotlighted leaders under 40 including Yasmin Santos (Companhia das Letras), Tatiane Godoy (Saber Educação), Aïcha Barat (Cobogó), and Maria Carvalhosa (Supersônica Livros).
Strong attendance and energy throughout confirmed a clear appetite for sustained engagement with PublisHer in Brazil and the Latin American region.
Connecting at Bienal do Livro
From 13–17 June, PublisHer engaged thousands of Brazilian women at Bienal do Livro, creating new connections, welcoming new members and introducing its growing offer of opportunities, resources and advocacy tools.
PublisHer founder Bodour Al Qasimi said: “Brazil’s energy, creativity, and publishing talent make it a vital part of the global conversation about women’s leadership in our industry. With PublisHer’s assertive presence in Rio, we’re expanding our reach and deepening our commitment to an inclusive, connected publishing future where women’s voices are heard, valued, and empowered to lead.”
Expanding in Asia at Beijing International Book Fair
Near-simultaneously, on 19 June, PublisHer featured at the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), hosting a discussion on the diverse professional challenges women face in different world publishing markets. Moderated by Alicia Liu, the session unified industry leaders from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with Elena Pasoli (Bologna Children’s Book Fair), Jacks Thomas (BolognaBookPlus), Latoya West‑Blackwood (IPublish Consultancy), and Yuan Nan (Phoenix Publishing). This engagement further demonstrated PublisHer’s commitment to broadening its footprint to connect, support, and elevate women in publishing everywhere.
About PublisHer
Founded in 2019 by Bodour Al Qasimi, a leading Emirati publisher and former President of the International Publishers Association, PublisHer is a global initiative advancing gender equality in publishing. It serves as a community and catalyst, empowering women to lead and transform the industry from the inside.
Core pillars:
- Major face-to-face events: Held in New York, Sharjah, London, Bologna, Rabat, Seoul, and Rio, to drive mentorship and dialogue.
- PublisHer Excellence Awards: Honouring Lifetime Achievement, Emerging Leaders, and Innovation.
- Mentorship and resources: Toolkits, mentoring networks, and fair access equip women with the skills and visibility to thrive.
- Strategic advocacy: PublisHer partners with the Sharjah Book Authority, Ingram, Visa (‘She’s Next’), Air Arabia and others to amplify its impact.
PublisHer’s reach extends to women across the publishing sector in six continents. Its fast expansion and escalating profile at leading world book fairs reflect increased acceptance that levelling the playing field is vital to innovation, growth and relevance.
