Leading Edge:
South Africa’s Women in Leadership Accelerator
Cape Town
Mon. 1st. – Fri. 5th September 2025
Introduction
Leading Edge: South Africa’s Women in Leadership Accelerator is a transformative 12-week programme, meticulously designed to elevate senior women into the highest tiers of leadership.
Created by inemmo Leadership Development (UK) and led by Joy Maitland MBE, this experience blends strategic development, coaching, immersive workshops, and real-world impact. It empowers participants to lead with precision, presence, and influence across African and global business landscapes.
For Who?
This accelerator is ideal for:
- Senior executives in corporates and multinationals
- Founders of high-growth African enterprises (R30M+ turnover)
- Visionary strategists with board-level ambitions
- Women leaders committed to driving systemic change across industries
Participants typically hold roles such as divisional heads, C-suite leaders, or enterprise-level decision-makers.
Impact
Participants emerge with sharpened clarity, confidence, and capability to steer complex organisations through change, uncertainty, and growth.
Outcomes are not theoretical — they are deeply practical, immediately applicable, and tailored to high-stakes environments.
Expect measurable strategic advancements, stronger boardroom influence, and elevated leadership identity — with ripple effects across sectors and regions.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Lead authentically with clarity and confidence
- Demonstrate commanding executive presence
- Navigate ambiguity and lead transformational change
- Align leadership with ESG, diversity, and innovation agendas
- Engage stakeholders through strategic communication
- Formulate and implement visionary leadership strategies
- Accelerate enterprise-level impact
Key Focus Areas
1. Executive Presence & Strategic Self-Awareness
Includes psychometric profiling (e.g., Lumina Spark) and identity mapping.
2. Purpose-Driven Influence & Ethical Power
Practical sessions on organisational politics, stakeholder engagement, and persuasion.
3. Boardroom Readiness & Governance
Simulated boardroom exercises and real-world governance strategies.
4. Inclusive Leadership & Team Effectiveness
Building cultures of trust and high performance.
5. ESG in Practice & Resilient Leadership
Real-world sustainability strategies for African business contexts.
6. Visionary Planning & Strategic Pitching
Leadership pitch development, future-focused visioning, and strategic roadmap creation.
Programme Delivery
Format: Hybrid (Virtual & In-Person)
– Weeks 1–3: Self-paced online modules
– Week 4: Five-day Cape Town intensive — including CEO fireside chats and visioning workshops
– Weeks 6–12: One-on-one coaching, peer advisory groups, and Strategic Action Projects
Participants access a curated online learning platform, executive mentoring, and create a higly valuable peer network, supported by globally experienced faculty.
Meet the Faculty
Joy Maitland MBE is the programme’s lead — a globally recognised leadership strategist, board advisor, and author. Honoured by King Charles III with an MBE for her outstanding services to business and leadership development, Joy brings world-class expertise and a mission-driven approach to accelerating women’s leadership. Her facilitation style is bold, strategic, and deeply empowering — enabling participants to lead with authenticity, presence, and purpose.
Atiya Sheikh is an internationally respected leadership consultant, executive coach, and co-founder of inemmo Leadership Development. She has guided global leaders across corporate, government, and third-sector landscapes, with a focus on transformational change, inclusive leadership, and emotional intelligence. Known for her sharp strategic insight and deeply human approach, Atiya helps leaders break through barriers and deliver sustained organisational impact.
Together, Joy and Atiya offer unmatched depth, diversity of experience, and an unrelenting commitment to unlocking exceptional leadership.
Client Testimonials
“We observed that our Management who are very well educated and technical savvy needed to refresh their Management Skills. We see it as a very practical oriented programme and have gone beyond the normal MBA stuff that all of us are all conversant with. We will not hesitate to recommend it to other business leaders in Ghana.”
Director Human Resources, National Communications Authority, Ghana
“It has been powerful in terms of learning various modern issues of leadership; giving us new insights in the areas of leadership and management. What we have learnt will assist us in our teams to improve performance, to better relate with other people and deal with strategic issues. This is a new thing, and I would recommend for managers who want to improve performance in their organisations.”
Director, Finance, Central Bank of Kenya
“The best leadership course I have attended. Interesting, thought-provoking, informational – I came away with an extended toolkit as well as numerous ways in which I can build on my skills to become a stronger leader.”
Program and Product Director, Financial Crime and Reputational Risk, Thomson Reuters UK
Request a Brochure
To explore how this programme can elevate you or your organisation’s leadership pipeline, request the full brochure by reaching out to the inemmo Leading Edge team.
Secure your seat. Shape your legacy.