Whilst preparing for the second cohort of our Senior Women's Leadership Development Programme due to launch in January 2026, I find myself reflecting on the journey shared with our inaugural group of senior women leaders across Ireland's higher education landscape.
The Senior Women's Leadership Development Programme was born from a recognition that women in senior positions need more than traditional leadership training – they need a space for authentic exploration of what it means to lead effectively and with impact in today's complex higher education environment.
Reshaping the narrative
The programme was an invitation into a live conversation for women in senior leadership roles across institutions in Ireland. Together, we explored what it means to lead at this time and in this space – how to navigate the intricate web of challenges facing higher education while maintaining authenticity and driving meaningful change.
We delved deep into the global narrative of leadership and examined some of the systemic forces at play that affect women every day in their leadership roles. What emerged was powerful: these women had the opportunity to shape the narrative of their departments and teams by leading authentically and with skill. They weren't just responding to the system – they were actively reshaping it.
The power of woman-to-woman conversations
The real magic happened in the conversations between the women themselves. The stories shared about the practical realities of leading complexity in the higher education system truly brought the theory to life and created real meaning in their learning journey. There's something uniquely powerful about women sharing their experiences with other women who understand the nuanced challenges we face.
Creating space for reflection and growth
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was providing these women with something rare and precious: time to reflect. In the midst of the overwhelm that comes with endless emails, back-to-back meetings and constant decision-making, we created space for them to pause and take stock.
They reflected on their leadership journeys to date, explored their current influence, examined their boundaries and developed concrete plans with accountability measures to expand that influence in strong and healthy ways.
Sharing the journey: the good, bad, and ugly
For me personally, it was a privilege to bring my own experience to the programme – the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly aspects of senior leadership roles. Having served as Head of a Business School and as Provost at Ulster University, I shared both the learnings from past experiences and the ongoing learning that continues to shape my understanding of what it takes to lead as a woman in this sector.
I know firsthand the cost of leading as a woman in higher education – the loneliness that can come with being one of the few women at the top table, the unique challenges we face and the constant overwhelm. But I also know what sustains us: investing in our development, increasing our knowledge, and crucially, meeting other wonderful women on similar journeys.
The investment that pays dividends
I would encourage every woman reading this to prioritise your own development and growth. It will never feel like the right time. There will always be one more crisis to manage, one more initiative to launch, one more meeting to attend. But the experience and reward will always outweigh the cost.
Karise Hutchinson is a Professor of Leadership and the founder of Illuminaire Leadership – a global institute providing high-quality, research-led insight to leaders in private, public and third-sector organisations. Find out more about Karise.