Women in Leadership - Online conference on Thursday 12 September

Glass ceilings, gender bias, lack of representation and role models.

Are these things still true of leadership issues affecting women in leadership in 2024?

In this event, we actively promote and recognise the success of women in leadership roles in our sector and explore some of the remaining – or emerging – challenges.

Join us at this jam-packed conference (presentations, panel discussions, practical workshops) to hear from trailblazing women from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Who should attend? 

• Long-standing, emerging and aspiring leaders
• Those on their way to, and those already in, management or leadership roles
• Everyone welcome!! Allies encouraged to attend (however you identify, you are more than welcome to join us)

What’s included in the price? 

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions, session talks and networking sessions 
• Access to all presentations and handouts 

Agenda

09.20 – Welcome  

09.30 – Keynote: What is feminist leadership? Speaker: Sarah Hughes, CEO, MIND 

10.00 –  Workshop options (this session is running twice and delegates will be split equally, attending both sessions by the end of the conference) 

• A: Building credibility: Credible leaders have influence and the trust of their teams. So what does a confident, assertive, professional leader look like? In this session we will discuss how we have difficult conversations while still maintaining positive relationships – up and down the line. Speaker: Cathy Shimmin, Senior Training Manager and Performance Coach, Directory of Social Change.
• B: Values-based leadership: Our organisation’s values are the guiding principles which give people focus and a sense of purpose. They frame how we are as employers, leaders and service providers. In this session we will look at ways leaders can bring organisation values to life and make them the cultural cornerstone of the organisation. Speaker: Eileen Browne, Training Consultant, Directory of Social Change.

10.45 –  Wellbeing break – air, water, light and screen-free 

11.00 –  Panel discussion: Is it still a man’s world? Yes or no? And how are women in leadership navigating it? 

Speakers: 

• Natasha Jonas, British professional boxer, two-weight world champion & Olympic Gold Medallist in 2012 
• Ndidi Okeze, CEO, UK Youth 
• Other speakers to be announced

11.45 – 12.30 –  Workshop options (for full session descriptions see 10.00 slot. This session is running twice and delegates will be split equally, attending both sessions by the end of the conference) 

• C: Building credibility 
• D: Values-based leadership  

12.30 – 12.45 – Networking  

Join fellow participants to reflect on the morning sessions and your own takeaway points for action. 

12.45 – 13.30 – Lunch break 

13.30 – Panel discussion – Allyship, intersectionality and equity 

How do women who have climbed to ‘the top’ ensure they leave the ladder out to support & champion diverse emerging talent, recognising the intersectionality of women in leadership? 

Speakers: 

• Rebecca Mansell, CEO, British Deaf Association 
• Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain 
• Other speakers to be announced 

14.15 – Leadership and the EDI journey  

Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. Hear about one organisation’s EDI journey and how it has improved team cohesion and performance, supported inclusion and increased creativity. 

Speaker: Deborah Layde, CEO, The Seafarers’ Charity and Maritime UK Diversity Champion 

14.45 –  Wellbeing break – air, water, light and screen-free 

15.00 – Whole audience workshop 

There isn’t enough room in a day to include everything we knew you’d want on the table. Don’t worry – we’ve saved some common leadership challenges for a quick fire, takeaway tips session. 

3 Trainers, 3 Topics and 3 Tips in each. 1 session!

• Leader as Coach: Develop the talent. Speaker: Cathy Shimmin, Senior Training Manager and Performance Coach, Directory of Social Change
• Leader as Liberator: Release the talent. Speaker: Eileen Browne, Training Consultant, Directory of Social Change
• Leader as Visionary: Focus the talent. Speaker: Annette Lewis, Director of Services, Directory of Social Change

15.45 – Closing remarks: The leadership challenge 

We will address some key challenges for leadership in our sector.

Speaker: Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO, Directory of Social Change. 

16.15 – Conference ends 

Find out more about your speakers here.

Downloadable and shareable session details are available here.

Early bird: deadline Wednesday 31 July 2024 

• Band A: £109 
• Band B: £119 
• Band C: £139 

Regular price bands from Thursday 1 August 2024 

• Band A: £119 
• Band B: £129 
• Band C: £149