Women's Leadership Academy

Leadership development for women, at every stage of their career.

We help your talented women grow, step up and stay.

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Three women of different generations in brown suits, smiling together

The challenge

Where does your female talent go?

Many organisations hire as many talented women as men. Yet with every step up, fewer of them remain. It is rarely a matter of ambition. Each career stage brings its own pressures, unwritten rules and life events, and they often weigh differently on women.

Everything peaks at once.

She now leads people, and often cares for young children or ageing parents too. Many women step back or burn out, while their ambition is still there.

Four women in brown suits meeting around a table in a sunlit office

Our approach

Knowing what to do is rarely the problem.

Doing it under pressure is. That is why we combine practical skills with psychological work on the patterns, beliefs and stress responses that drive behaviour.

Grounded in psychology, focused on practice.

Participants work with real situations from their own work, during and between sessions.

Rising together.

Women learn in small peer groups and champion each other's success.

Tailored to your organisation.

We shape themes, cases and format around your context and goals.

Programmes

Our programmes

Each programme focuses on what women in that phase of their career actually run into, from the first step into leadership to the step to the top.

Emerging Leaders

For high potentials in their first years. Self-awareness, confidence and making their contribution visible, so they are ready for their first leadership role.

Rising Leaders

For women five to fifteen years in, often in the busiest years of their lives. Leading teams with influence, while combining a growing career with everything else.

Executive Leaders

For senior women in or near the top. Strategic influence, leading at board level, and thriving through midlife, including menopause.

Explore our programmes

Keynotes, masterclasses and workshops

Looking for something shorter?

We can bring insights to a single session: an inspiring keynote for your event, a masterclass for a team or women's network, or a hands on workshop.

See topics
Audience of women applauding and smiling at an evening event

What changes

For participants

  • Clarity on their strengths, ambitions and next step
  • More influence and impact, with less self-doubt
  • The energy to combine ambition with a life outside work
  • A network of women who champion each other

For your organisation

  • Women who grow into leadership roles, and stay
  • A stronger pipeline towards management and the top
  • A network of women leaders across your organisation

Who we are

The people behind the academy.

The Women's Leadership Academy was founded in 2024 by Lisanne van Bunderen, social and organisational psychologist with a PhD in organisational behaviour from Rotterdam School of Management. She taught leadership and organisational behaviour at university level for years and has since worked with thousands of students and professionals. Together with Michelle van Nugteren, co-owner responsible for brand and growth, she leads the academy.

More about us
Portrait of Lisanne van Bunderen
Lisanne van BunderenFounder · Programmes & method
Portrait of Michelle van Nugteren
Michelle van NugterenCo-owner · Brand & growth

Let's talk about your talent.

Every organisation is different. Tell us where you stand and what you want to achieve, and we'll explore together what would work.

Plan an introductory call
Looking for a programme for yourself? See our open programmes.