In celebration of International Women's Day, Advance HE proudly showcased its ground-breaking work live at the UN Women NGO CSW69 event series - a global platform championing gender equality and women's empowerment.
This pivotal gathering highlighted not just the challenges women face in leadership positions, but the transformative solutions that are creating real change worldwide.
Pioneering leadership development that works
Barbara Bassa, Programme Director for Aurora UK and Ireland, and Programme Director for Senior Women’s Leadership Development UK and Ireland, shared some compelling insights into why women-only leadership programmes are not just beneficial - they're essential. The Aurora programme has become a cornerstone of Advance HE's strategy, providing targeted support that addresses the unique challenges women face on their leadership journeys.
"Our data shows that women who participate in Aurora experience significantly higher rates of promotion and report greater confidence in pursuing leadership roles," Barbara explained, sharing powerful testimonials from participants whose careers have been transformed through the programme.
Global impact, local transformation
Audrey Linton, Programme Director of Aurora International, revealed the extraordinary global expansion of this women’s leadership development initiative.
The Aurora model has been successfully adapted across continents, with particularly inspiring results in Australia and MENA. Eleven institutions took part in our 'She Leads' programme hosted by Bahrain University demonstrating how Advance HE’s methodologies transcend cultural boundaries while respecting local contexts.
Success in action: Majan University College's transformation
The spotlight then turned to Majan University College in Oman, represented by Dr Maha Kobeil (Dean and CEO) and Ms Nabila Al Macki (Deputy Dean). Their institution stands as a powerful case study for its gender inclusive practices with women holding nearly half of all senior positions and 60% of middle management roles.
The human-centred leadership advantage
Advance HE's programmes don't just develop women leaders - they help redefine what effective leadership looks like for everyone.
A presentation pre-recorded by Professor Karise Hutchinson, who works with Barbara on Senior Women’s Leadership Development Programme Ireland, highlighted how women's leadership approaches often prioritise human connection and emotional intelligence - qualities increasingly recognised as essential for organisational success in the 21st century.
The road ahead
The event concluded with an energising call to action: the work of advancing gender equality requires both institutional commitment and individual courage. Advance HE's leadership programmes are providing both the frameworks and the personal empowerment needed to drive sustainable change.