Blanka Havelková graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University and, already during her studies, worked at the Research Institute of Education in Prague. There, she focused on projects funded by the European Social Funds and on the personal development of children. In 2008, she joined the Human Resources Department of Czech Railways, where she focused on employee training and later led the department until 2016. That same year, she became Chairwoman of the Board of the Railway Educational Institute (DVI), a subsidiary of Czech Railways, where she developed a number of educational projects for employees across the group.

In 2022, Blanka Havelková was elected to the Board of Directors of Czech Railways – becoming the very first woman to serve in the company’s top management since its founding. As Chief Human Resources Officer, she is responsible for the entire HR agenda, from collective bargaining and recruitment to streamlining onboarding processes. At the same time, she focuses on increasing safety in rail transport. Thanks to her achievements and influence, she is considered one of the most prominent women in Czech business – repeatedly ranked among Forbes magazine’s Most Influential Women in the Czech Republic.