Originally published by WOB Australia – September 2016.

Powerful and unique offering

Our high level leadership program Next Generation of Corporate Female Leaders is a powerful and unique offering that will challenge, inspire, engage and stretch you to achieve influential and strategic leadership and board roles, now and in the future.

“True leadership is about making other people better as a result of your presence – and making sure your impact endures in your absence.” Harvard Business School; Leadership definition.

The 2017 program applications open on Tuesday October 4th, 2016 and close Friday December 9th, 2016.

NEXT GENERATION OF CORPORATE FEMALE LEADERS

The purpose of the ‘Next Gen’ program is to increase the visibility of high potential women within their organisations and industries and provide them with the confidence and capacity to successfully engage with senior leadership and boards.  Specific objective is to enable participants to achieve an executive or C-Suite role; gain a seat at the board table, now or as part of a future career plan; to be successful and have impact once they are in a leadership role.

Watch these short videos to learn more about the program from graduates of our 2016 program.

Click here for Next Gen program reflections

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The program runs in Sydney annually from March to September with a maximum of 40 participants as follows:

• 33 by application and competitive selection (including places reserved for women at the earlier stage of their career who have been identified as high potential)
• 2 scholarships places
• 5 CBA employees

Two scholarship places are offered for women at management level or above employed by a Local, State or Federal Government Department and a Not-For-Profit with preference given to women residing in non-metropolitan areas.  Strict selection criteria applies for scholarship applications – click here for details.

The program is hosted by Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney and managed by Women on Boards with the support of experienced directors, executives and external expert presenters.

Program Benefits

• Improve confidence, presence, visibility, resilience and sense of belonging
• Increase your chances of success when presenting to boards and senior leaders within your organisation or externally
• Become more effective as a leader in your workplace
• Develop an understanding of how to manage gender issues in your career
• Increase collegiality with decision makers and key company personnel
• Know how to approach potential advocates, mentor and sponsors
• Challenge yourself

Key Dates for 2017

Session 1
Thursday 2nd March
Friday 3rd March

Session 2
Thursday 22nd June
Friday 23rd June

Session 3
Thursday 7th September
Friday 8th September

Time committments

The external syndicate based project work is between 50 and 100 hours. It is important that you understand the time commitment when applying.

Participants are grouped in syndicates of between four and six to work on a project for the duration of the program and present it to a panel on the final day. Planning and interviews for the project are largely conducted out of session individually or in small groups. Participants should factor additional time for the project. An external syndicate advisor is appointed to assist each group.

PROGRAM DETAILS

and embedded within the program are three coaching sessions for each participant to reinforce and support learning and actions.

Our certified coaches will offer the first session between workshops 1-2, the second session between workshops 2-3 and the final session after the last session. We ask participants to make scheduling these valuable sessions an absolute priority.

Fees

• $6,000 (inc GST) for six days including all course elements, networking events, three individual coaching sessions and dinner in Sydney during the March and September sessions. To be paid in two instalments ($3,000 by late February 2017 and remainder mid July 2017.)

APPLICATIONS OPEN EACH YEAR IN OCTOBER AND CLOSE EARLY DECEMBER

“The course provided extensive exposure to leadership theory, the opportunity to hear from leaders across a range of industries and opened many doors to thought leaders across the broader business community which we interviewed as part of the syndicate project work. The combination of the course work, one-on-one coaching sessions, plus the insights gained from the leaders I interviewed and guest speakers who spoke during the program, enabled me to reflect on my own leadership journey to date and the type of leader I want to be. I have used these insights to focus on my strengths and build a roadmap for the next chapter of my career.” Jacinta Barnes, Strategy Manager, Castrol Australia Pty Ltd

“‘Next Gen’ has kick started a career repositioning process and much more for me. The WOB combination of powerful workshop sessions coupled with the opportunity to access some amazing senior leaders for interview and fact finding has been extraordinary. The group work was highly challenging, these sessions provided opportunities to argue ideas, share the latest theories and opinions.
I was challenged from the outset and have left inspired and with the access to great career coaches and the wider network, this inspiration is fast turning into action. ‘Next Gen’ has been amazing, exhausting and a real opportunity for career and personal growth!” Di Beauchamp, Chair of the Governance & Risk committee of our board (Good Grief), Non-Executive Director Good Grief Pty Ltd, Marketing and Management Consultant