Anou Khanijou on Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Turning Challenges into Breakthroughs

For a 30-year-old woman to lead an organisation with a strong male presence is no easy feat. Moreover, being part of a community filled with goal-oriented entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, and CEOs is not for the fainthearted. Yet, in FY 2001–2002, Anou Khanijou stepped into the role of EO Melbourne president, guiding the chapter through a transformative period and helping strengthen its foundations.

“To be a young woman leader at that time, about 30 years ago, was challenging. But I have always been someone who goes with two feet in. And EO is one of those things where you need to be all in. If you are not fully committed, you will not get the best out of EO. People do not always understand that, but it is very true. That is something I understand really well. I think that is why I stepped forward. Every time I put both feet into EO back then, I gained tremendous value from it. So stepping into that leadership role felt like a natural instinct,” she said.

Leadership within EO, Anou observed, comes with constant scrutiny. In a community where leaders are empowered to voice their opinions freely, gaps in a leader’s behaviour or character are quickly noticed. Feedback is often immediate, and the pressure to perform is high, which can be confronting for those who struggle with critique.

Yet the pressure points became part of the learning. “There were many challenges when I was president, having to break the glass ceiling. I pushed boundaries and did things that, at the time, felt quite risqué,” she shared. She organised an Asia-Pacific-wide dinner event, a fashion parade, and even unconventional activities, all while seven months pregnant.

Being immersed in EO during those years gave Anou invaluable insight from her peers. “What EO allowed me to do was learn very quickly because I was always surrounded by leaders. EO members are leaders in their own fields, so I learned from them and recognised where I might have fallen short myself. I would look at them and think, ‘Wow, that’s a learning pocket.’ Then I would take that insight, put it into practice, and keep moving.”

She quickly realised that leadership is a constant learning journey. Every interaction and hurdle offered a lesson, shaping how she approached decision-making and communication. This process gave her clarity in guiding others and helping them understand their roles and responsibilities.

One of the most lasting lessons, according to Anou, is understanding the ripple effect of every decision and action. Early on, she recognised that a leader’s impact rarely stays within a small circle. The consequences often extend further than expected, and awareness of this shaped how she approached leadership.

These learnings carried beyond EO. Anou now serves on predominantly male boards, where she continues to be elected to leadership roles. She attributes this to the skills developed through years of observing, learning, and applying insights from her EO journey. Empathy, clarity, and awareness guide her approach, allowing her to influence and inspire those around her.

“Now, I’m the president of several community organisations, including a charitable trust. It allows me to see things clearly and understand that when we make decisions as leaders, there is a ripple effect. It also shows how important it is to keep everyone engaged and motivated toward a shared vision, and how crucial it is to manage that effectively,” she said.

Over the past three decades, EO has transformed in ways Anou has witnessed closely. “When I joined, things were very different. The chapters were smaller, systems and processes were just beginning to take shape, and the world itself was a very different place. Joining in my early 30s and becoming president after a few years, I experienced firsthand how the organisation has grown, adapted, and diversified over time, shaped by changes in communication, behaviour, and societal attitudes.”

A particularly remarkable shift has been the growing recognition of women in leadership. “The respect for women and the ability for them to shine in leadership spaces is so much stronger now than when I was there,” Anou reflected. With expanded structures, clearer processes, and greater support, EO provides opportunities that were simply less than possible decades ago.

For women who have yet to step into leadership, Anou sees EO as a safe and empowering space to grow. “Even if you’ve never led before, the structures, systems, and processes now give you the chance to develop your skills and step up with confidence,” she explained. She encourages women who are courageous, strong, and eager to learn to fully engage, knowing that EO is a platform where they can explore their potential, contribute meaningfully, and thrive as leaders in their own right.