Event Overview
Speakers & Agenda
Summit Outline
Overview
The 2nd Annual Women in Leadership Conference 2024 is a dynamic and inspiring event that brings together women leaders, professionals, and advocates exploring the challenges and opportunities of leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This conference aims to empower women to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape and to drive positive change in their organisations and communities.
According to the Businesswomen’s Association of SA’s 2021 Women in Leadership Census, women constitute 23.1% of vice-chancellor roles at South Africa’s higher education institutions; 40% of directorships at state owned entities; 36.7% representation in the professional services industry and only 26.9% of directorship.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics and automation are just some technologies that will revolutionise how leaders collaborate with their team members and interact with customers. In 2024, these technologies will be even more deeply embedded in our lives and businesses, concluded research published by Harvard Business Review. The study found that leaders must consequently understand how new technologies can help them better lead their organisations and create strategies for success.
This conference has been tailor-made to inspire women to become remarkable leaders! It will connect aspiring and current women in leadership with the collective wisdom of the leading women across the continent not only for their advice, insights and journeys but, to uncover the authenticity of the woman behind the role. It’s a unique opportunity to be inspired by them, follow in their footsteps and find the path to your own success. Immerse yourself in empowering discussions, spotlighting the latest topics that resonate with women leaders across the board, while embracing the profound spectrum of diversity that binds our women leaders and teams.
“Leading into the future- Creative Resilience: Leading in an Age of Discontinuity”
Network
Come and attend our summit where you will meet like-minded professionals who will give you an insight into their experiences in their industries.
Launch Your Brand!
Secure high-impact exposure at our conference - the perfect launchpad for your brand.
Learn
Gain some knowledge at the summit by coming and listening to our magnitude of empowering speakers as they guide you through their views and experiences in the corporate world.
Thursday - 12 September 2024
Day 01
08:00 - 08:50 | Arrivals & Registrations
08:50 - 09:00 | Introductions & Welcome Remarks
09:00 - 10:00| Opening Keynote: AI and the future of leadership
This keynote explores the transformative role of AI in the digital economy, where our ‘digital minions’ are not just tools but partners in decision-making. We’ll delve into strategies for leaders to harness the power of algorithms for innovation, growth, and sustainable advantage, ensuring that human insight and artificial intelligence together shape a resilient and inclusive future for all in the digital era. The Keynote address will address;
- AI’s Influence on Leadership
- AI-Powered Decision Making: A New Leadership Approach
- Balancing Human Skills and AI in Leadership
10:00 - 10:30 | Coffee/Tea Break
10:30 - 11:00 | Forging a legacy through integrity, positive impact and empowering leadership
- Empowering leaders by creating safe spaces for diverse viewpoints and perspectives
- Exploring the benefits of building strong networks and fostering collaboration across your organisation’s leadership pipeline
- Recognising the broader impact of actions on society and the environment
11:00 - 11:30 | Paving the way for future generations
- How can established leaders serve as role models to share knowledge and experiences, and offer feedback?
- As you move up the ladder, how can you encourage other female leaders in your organisation to move up too?
- How to best acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of emerging leader
11:30 - 12:00 | Panel Discussion: Setting a clear vision and developing a strategic roadmap for your organisation
- How to lead organisational change, manage disruptions and navigate uncertainty and risk to make informed decisions
- How leaders can engage with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and communities, in a way that reflects shared values
- What legacy will you leave on the teams and people that you lead?
12:00 - 12:30 | Stand out and make a lasting impact
- Building resilience in the face of challenges, setbacks and biases
- Embracing your unique leadership style and strengths
- How to consistently demonstrate positive behaviours aligned with your values to shape the attitudes, actions and perceptions of those who observe and interact with you
12:30 - 13:00 | Overcome Self-Doubt, Combat Imposter Syndrome & Own The Room!
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome have stopped far too many talented women from going for their goals and reaching their true potential. The presenter will host conversations that inspire women to overcome imposter syndrome.
13:00 -14:00 | Lunch Break
14:00 -14:30 | Leading with emotional intelligence
For leaders, having emotional intelligence is essential for success. After all, who is more likely to succeed – a leader who shouts at his team when she’s under stress, or a leader who stays in control, and calmly assesses the situation?
This presentation will look at how to develop your emotional intelligence and empathy to build strong relationships, navigate challenging conversations and create inclusive and supportive team environments? This presentation will delve on;
- Self-awareness.
- Self-regulation.
- Motivation
- Empathy
- Social skills.
14:30 - 15:00 | The Power of Mentorship & Personal Branding
True leaders are those who empower others. By actively mentoring, you are showcasing your commitment to the growth and success of those around you. This reflects strong leadership qualities like empathy, patience, and the ability to guide. This not only builds trust among peers but also positions you as a thoughtful leader in your domain.
By consistently providing value and positively impacting the lives of your mentees, you will build a reputation as a go-to figure in your field. People respect those who give back, and your commitment to mentoring can set you apart from others. Over time, as stories of your mentorship spread, your personal brand strengthens, solidifying your place as a trusted authority.
This session will talk to mentorship and branding, on how the two work hand in glove and how it can reflect well on your leadership qualities.
15:00 - 15:30 | In Conversation: Powerful women with powerful stories… uncover first-hand experiences, lessons learned and insights into their journeys to CEO -Be perfectly imperfect & get more done
This session will see our facilitator interview 3 powerful women who have made it up the leadership ladder, their trials and tribulation and advice they can give to aspiring leaders. The session will be captivating, sassy, bold, spicy, and impertinent, and full of funny experiences that will leave you amazed and in stiches.
15:30 - 16:00 | Women as Change Agents: Sociocultural, Economic, and Political/Civic Leadership for Girls and Women
Although women around the continent have experienced some increases in leadership opportunities, there remain significant gaps in women’s representation in executive and leadership positions.
Women are not just key stakeholders in leadership, but also agents of change. They bring unique perspectives, knowledge, and skills to leadership, and their contributions are essential for achieving a sustainable future. This presentation will talk about women as agents for change and how their roles help in the development of the economy.
16:00 - 16:30 | Work/life balance and stress management-How to maintain good work-life balance
In today’s fast-paced world, striking the perfect balance between work and a personal life can be a daunting challenge for many, especially women leaders. The pressure to excel in their careers while managing family and personal responsibilities can take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of both work-life balance and self-care for women in leadership positions and also share practical strategies to help them find equilibrium while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
This presentation will look at:
- Understanding Work-Life Balance for Women Leaders
- Setting Boundaries and Learning to Say “No”
- Delegating Tasks and Trusting Your Team
- Prioritising Mental and Emotional Well-being
- Scheduling and Planning Personal Time
- Embracing Flexibility and Adaptability
16:30 - 17:00 | Preparation Intermission
17:00 - 19:00 | Gala Dinner
Friday - 13 September 2024
Day 02
08:00 - 08:50 | Arrivals & Registrations
08:50 - 09:00 | Introductions & Welcome Remarks
09:00 - 10:00 | Opening Keynote: The Techno Savvy Leader/Executive
Tech savvy leadership requires a change in mindset; moving away from the out-dated cost and technology model, to an approach that is based on quantifying and managing risks, with an eye on the results. Technology is first and foremost an enabler and there is plenty of supporting evidence to back this up. Technology helps us develop new products or services, attract new customers, retain existing customers and integrate almost seamlessly into their lives. It is also about efficiencies, streamlining processes, such as supply chain and other core operational components of a business that were traditionally non-tech reliant and often manual and costly.
This presentation will talk to a shift in mindset from traditional ways of doing things to a modern way of leadership.
10:00 - 10:30 | Coffee/Tea Break
10:30 - 11:00 | The Impact of Emerging Technology on Leadership Development
Technology has revolutionised our world in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few decades ago. It has impacted almost every aspect of our lives, including leadership.
Business leaders now rely on digital tools to operate and scale their business. One of the most noticeable trends is virtual collaboration and remote work. That’s why teams need to Upskill and Reskill on the latest tools to remain competitive. This presentation will look into;
- The Shift in Leadership in the Digital Age
- Understanding the Impact of Technology on Leadership
- The Evolution of Leadership Styles with Technological Advancements
- Technology as a Tool for Leaders
- The Role of Digital Platforms in Leadership
11:00 - 11:30 | Boardroom Voice Coaching for Women in Leadership
Studies show women receive 12% more questions in meetings than men, with many inquiries being patronising or hostile in nature. Additionally, data suggests that men continue to dominate both the conversations and decision-making in settings ranging from corporate offices to school boards.
This session will unravel all the tools, techniques & skills required to be a dynamic, confident & empowered speaker & communicator!
11:30 - 12:00| Embracing new technologies and staying ahead of the competition
This presentation will delve into the importance of staying ahead in the tech landscape by embracing emerging trends. In the fast-paced world of technology, continuous adaptation and innovation are vital to maintaining a competitive edge. The presenter will explore some strategies to help you stay at the forefront of the ever-changing tech industry.
12:00 - 12:30 | Understanding customer needs through technology
Many business leaders strongly believe in the role Artificial Intelligence can play in understanding customer data and in enhancing customer experience. A clear understanding of customers’ needs and expectations helps enterprises to tailor their products and services efficiently. In today’s scenario, technology makes it easier to understand customer behavior. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning can be efficiently utilised for collecting and analyzing the behavioral data of customers.
Artificial Intelligence is capable of continuously learning and improving from the data it processes and is able to predict customer behavior. This allows brands to understand the needs of the customers and provide highly customised services and products. This will improve customer engagement and increase sales prospects.
This session will discuss;
- Real-Time Decision-making and Predictive Behavior Analysis
- Hyper-Personalisation of Content
- Interactive Video Content and Customer Engagement
12:30 - 13:00 | Empowering managers with technology – Building trust, understanding, and empathy in the new era of people management
Along with building a business comes the responsibility of managing its confidential information. Thus, it becomes the utmost priority of the management to have a structured and efficient way of managing those documents and contents. And to help the management in doing so comes cutting-edge technology at the rescue.
Managerial practices are important for the smooth processing of all the workings of an organisation. It keeps a regular check on various activities of different departments and thus, plans out strategies for their best. To further enhance this process, new-age technologies can be a great boon. Be it security, or communication, there are hi-tech innovations to assist in every possible domain of an organisation. This presentation will talk about how leaders can empower their managers to build trust and empathy.
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break
14:00 - 14:30 | The Future of Women in Leadership
Women have been in the workforce for more than 100 years and continue to make significant strides in employment and leadership representation. There is no question that women are instrumental in leading the future of work. Women in leadership are changing the state of work and bringing essential traits to the workplace that redefine what makes a great leader. In this presentation the speaker will look into what the future holds for women in leadership.
The session will investigate the current state of female leadership in the workplace, how women redefine leadership, the future state of women in leadership, and how you can lead with confidence and be a driving force toward positive social change.
14:30 - 15:00 | Open Discussion and Engagement Session
This facilitator led open discussion will enable attendees to get involved and talk about their own experiences from their different workplaces and sectors. Delegates are encouraged to get involved as this open session will present them with an opportunity to ask questions that they might have missed during the 2 days of the conference and voice their own opinions to the discussion. A panel of 4 speakers (2 from Day 1) and (2 from Day 2) will be at hand to answer some of the questions the delegates may have and contribute to the dialogue.
This will be followed by a vote of thanks from the hosts and that will be the end of the conference.
End Of Conference
Register to Attend
Sponsorship Opportunities
Looking to connect with key decision-makers and showcase your expertise? Our sponsorship packages provide valuable opportunities to interact with our delegates and attendees. We even offer speaking slots for qualified sponsors. Explore our packages to find the perfect fit!