Earlier this month, Cintia Mano — angel investor, executive, board member, author, and long-time leader within the COREangels community — joined more than 400 women leaders at the SW50 Women Leadership Summit, a global initiative by Santander and London School of Economics Executive Education.
At COREangels, we proudly celebrate this milestone. Cintia has shaped our community for years, not only through her leadership roles but through her dedication to empowering angel investors, building collaborative ecosystems, and supporting founders across Europe and beyond.
Her participation in SW50 reflects the very qualities that have inspired so many inside our network: depth of reflection, courage to challenge norms, and a commitment to elevating others.
A Gathering Unlike Any Other
The SW50 Summit brought together women from more than 40 nationalities — executives, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers, and social leaders. The atmosphere, described by many participants, was one of openness, intelligence, and collective strength.
For someone like Cintia, who has spent much of her career navigating male-dominated industries, the experience of being surrounded solely by women was deeply meaningful. It created the space for fresh conversations, honest exploration, and a shared sense of purpose — all elements she continuously champions within COREangels.
This environment mirrored one of COREangels’ core beliefs: Leadership thrives when people feel safe, supported, and inspired.
Insights That Resonated
Throughout the summit, several ideas deeply influenced Cintia — ideas that also mirror many of the values we uphold as a community.
1. The AI era exposes old inequalities — while highlighting women’s greatest strengths.
One speaker warned that the rapid rise of AI is already reflecting gender imbalances. Unequal distribution of unpaid work continues to hold women back, giving them less time to learn and adopt new technologies.
But another message reshaped the room:
“The AI world will amplify the leadership qualities women are already strong at: empathy, collaboration, and ethical judgment.”
These are the same qualities we see in the best angel investors and fund leaders — and the same qualities Cintia has consistently brought to COREangels.
2. Purpose transforms the weight of leadership.
A standout insight was the power of awe — acting on behalf of something bigger than oneself.
“Awe can change perspective.”
When purpose expands, pressure shrinks. Pursuing impact becomes more important than pursuing perfection. This idea beautifully aligns with how we see Cintia lead: with clarity, conviction, and a deep sense of service to founders and investors.
Key Takeaways That Echo Across Our Community
- Awe changes perspective.
Purpose reframes effort. Leadership becomes contribution, not performance.
- Women’s leadership strengths will be more relevant than ever.
In a world shaped by automation, the human skills women excel at become strategic assets.
- Cultural change must go beyond “skillful conversations.”
True inclusion doesn’t require courageous conversations — it requires new norms. As a community built on collaboration, COREangels is proud to see leaders like Cintia pushing this shift forward.
Why This Matters to COREangels
Cintia’s participation in SW50 is more than a personal achievement — it reflects the values that underpin our global network.
For years, she has helped shape COREangels’ culture:
- Empowering angels through education and shared wisdom
- Supporting fund leaders with clarity, structure, and vision
- Championing founders who are building solutions with global impact
- Building inclusive communities rooted in generosity and collective success
The lessons she brings back from SW50 don’t stay with her — they ripple across the COREangels ecosystem, influencing how we learn, invest, collaborate, and lead.
The Power of the SW50 Community
The SW50 network now includes 1,300+ women leaders worldwide — each committed to lifting others and creating systemic change.
Programs like this matter. They create leaders who are grounded, self-aware, and equipped with modern tools for influence and impact. COREangels is proud that one of our own is part of this global community of change-makers.
For women in our network curious about SW50, applications for the 2026 edition open on November 3rd, 2025.
Final Thoughts
At COREangels, we celebrate leaders who make others stronger. Leaders who inspire confidence. Leaders who transform communities.
Cintia is one of those leaders. Her reflections from the SW50 Women Leadership Summit remind us that the future of leadership will not be defined by hierarchy or authority — but by empathy, collaboration, courage, and purpose.
And we are proud to see her carry these values forward, inside and far beyond COREangels.
Read Cintia's Article here.
