4th Annual FMI Women in Leadership Conference 2026
Don't just lead the way—pave it for others.
- The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, South Africa
- 10-11 September 2026
Event Overview
In a world facing unprecedented transformation—from digital revolutions and climate breakdown to geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global power structures—women’s leadership is not just a moral imperative, it is strategic. It is the kind of leadership the future demands. “Stop Apologising” pushes women to claim space in sectors where their presence is urgently needed, shape conversations historically dominated by others, and lead with confidence, clarity, and conviction.
This theme speaks directly to the essence of FMI’s mission: elevating women as architects of tomorrow’s solutions, not merely participants in today’s challenges. It encourages every woman to recognise that her voice matters, her knowledge is essential, and her leadership is non-negotiable.
Federated Institute
Powered by collaboration. Driven by purpose.
As societies rethink leadership in a post-pandemic, climate-stressed, politically complex world, the need for authentic, human-centred, ethical, and equitable leadership has never been greater. Women already lead this way—yet too often, their contributions are downplayed or dismissed.
“Stop Apologising” is not about arrogance. It is about alignment, presence, courage, and ownership.
It is about women leading loudly—because the world urgently needs the leadership they offer.
Speakers
Voices that ignite action.
Here is our speaker line-up for the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Conference 2026
Keele Letsipa
Group Manager, Safety and Health
Exxaro
Maphepane Baiocco
Chief Executive Officer
Neon Energy
Anne Hartslief
Founder
Lightsmith
Vino Govender
Managing Director
LA Consulting Engineers
Candice Stevens
Founder and CEO
Sustainable Finance Coalition
Khethiwe N.C. Mhlanga
Chief Executive Officer
Small Enterprises Development Company ESwatini
Dr. Shirley Zinn
Board Member
WWF South Africa
Bishnen Kumalo
Founder and CEO
DigiSquad (Pty) Ltd
Deshun Deysel Bester
Chief Executive Officer
GoPeak International
Phryne Williams
Founder and CEO
Capital Assignments
Michelle Nxumalo
Aerospace and Defence Expert- Chairperson
South African Aerospace Maritime Defence Export Council
Annabel Bishop
Chief Economist
Investec Bank Limited South Africa
Zimbini Hill
Governance Leader - Chairperson
Independent Development Trust
Lindelwa Jabavu
International Executive Coach
Diana Rodrigues
Founder
Resilient Agility
Kamala Pather
Head of School
Regenesys School of Education
Vera Zulu
Group Chief Finance Officer
Old Mutual Malawi Limited
Valisha Naidoo
Chief of Staff to the Chief People Officer (Acting)/Leader Women's Programme
Eskom Group
Adv. Pria Hassan
Executive Group Chair
WOA Fuels & Oils CC
Yolandi Dercksen
Founder
Reaching WISDOM and CoachGuide™
Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana
Deputy Director-General: Transformation Programmes and Language Unit
Department of Basic Education
Anjue Hirachund
Executive Coach, Business Consultant, and Wealth Advisor
Soham Academy
Kasthuri Soni
CEO
Harambee
Nicolene Bruwer
Chief Financial Officer
Aon South Africa (Pty)
Dr Nirmala Reddy
Head: Enterprise & Supplier Development
Nedbank Limited
Industry Leaders
Engaging & Inspiring
Global Perspectives
Come And Explore Our Conference Themes:
"Stop Apologising"
“Stop Apologising” is a bold call to action—an invitation for women to step fully and unapologetically into their power. For generations, women across the world, including on the African continent, have been socialised to downplay their achievements, dilute their ambitions, and soften their voices to be acceptable. This theme challenges that narrative. It reframes leadership not as something women must earn by shrinking themselves, but as something they fully deserve by virtue of their expertise, purpose, resilience, and lived experience.
Leading in Driving Sustainable Growth in Climate and Biodiversity
This focus empowers women to move from the frontlines of climate vulnerability to the center of global environmental negotiations and resilience planning.
Leading in Infrastructures, Energy, and Strategic Interconnections
Women are reframed as strategic innovators capable of breaking into traditionally male-dominated technical domains like renewable energy and smart infrastructure.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow
This theme encourages emerging female leaders to dismantle internalized doubt and step into their roles as unapologetic disruptors of the future.
Leading in Inclusive and Purpose-Driven AI and Tech
Women are called to confidently claim their space in the digital economy to ensure that the design and governance of technology remain ethical and inclusive.
Leading in Geopolitics, Preparing and Securing Peace
This theme demands that women assert themselves in high-level security and diplomatic spaces to actively shape global peace agendas rather than merely supporting them.
Leading in Education, Research, and Academia
Women scholars and researchers are empowered to disrupt biased knowledge systems and claim their status as expert custodians of information without minimization.
Get Started
Join the Movement
“Don’t just lead the way—pave it for others. Join our community of unapologetic glass-shatterers today and turn your individual influence into our collective power.