Nova SBE Executive Education, in collaboration with EDP and Sonae, has launched Women Up, an international programme designed to promote the advancement of women into senior leadership roles. The initiative is intended for professionals with more than 15 years of experience and at least five years managing teams, aiming to help them reach C-level positions.
The programme combines coaching, mentoring, immersive learning, and technology over a year-long period. It also offers participants a network for sharing experiences and increasing their visibility to opportunities both locally and internationally.
EDP and Sonae are supporting the initiative by providing scholarships that cover 70% of tuition fees for the top ten selected candidates. This financial support aims to expand access to leadership development opportunities on a global scale.
Pedro Brito, CEO of Nova SBE Executive Education, stated: “Despite progress in gender equality, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership across all sectors. Gender equality is now a strategic priority, and with this programme we are taking a concrete step towards creating support ecosystems that help women leaders build impact with authenticity, influence and global vision.”
João Verdelho, Head of Global Talent Management at EDP, said: “At EDP, we see leadership diversity as a competitive advantage for the business. Women Up is a strategic investment not only to strengthen our own leadership pipeline, but also to contribute to the development of female talent in society, building a pool of leaders prepared to meet the complexity and demands of the future energy sector and other strategic industries.”
Miguel Tolentino, Head of Group People & Leadership at Sonae, commented: “At Sonae, we see inclusive leadership as a driver of innovation and collective progress. Every day, we work to build a culture that values diversity of thought and promotes equity. Women Up reflects our commitment to supporting the development of female leaders, trusting in the impact they will have on transforming organisations and society.”
Applications for Women Up are open from August 25 until September 26, 2025. More information about the programme can be found at https://executiveducation.novasbe.pt/special/women-up.
Nova SBE Executive Education focuses on executive training in economics, management and finance by linking academic knowledge with business practices.
