Explore & Learn: Empowering Women in Leadership

The Why

Many organisations invest in their female talent. Yet the step to the next leadership role often stalls: invisible barriers, too little sponsorship, line managers who aren’t on board, and talented women who doubt whether that next step is for them.

Training alone won’t fix that. It takes personal growth, a context that makes room for women to lead, and a clear will to lead: leadership born from purpose, not position.

Over the past year, Sara Bastiaensens and Catherine Herssens designed and facilitated a leadership track for female potentials at a large Belgian retailer. In this Explore&Learn, they share what works, what doesn’t, and how you can apply it in your own organisation.

Sara holds a PhD in Communication Studies and spent ten years researching and teaching leadership at Antwerp Management School. Catherine spent more than 20 years at Unilever across countries and cultures, including as Leadership Development Manager and global L&D Manager.

This session is for HR directors, L&D and D&I managers, and leaders who shape talent development for women in their organisation.

What can you expect?
A free, interactive two-hour session: no keynote from the stage, but learning by doing and exchanging with peers.

  • The barriers that still hold women back, and what an organisation can do about them
  • The building blocks of an impactful track: workshops, coaching, mentoring, peer learning and role models
  • Why the line manager makes or breaks the result, and how to involve them
  • How to create a safe space without turning it into a side track
  • Time to test your own plans and questions with peers

 

Program:

  • 9:30 AM: Welcome with coffee and tea
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Interactive session
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Networking lunch

 

Want to help female talent take the next step in your organisation?
Then sign up now. Places are limited to 20 participants.

The Where & When

Location: Brussels – Commons Hub
Rue de la Madeleine 51
Date: 19/02/2027
Duration: 2 hours

The Signup

Fill out the form and we’ll send you a confirmation!