Become Executive Ready
Join 3,000+ women who've accelerated their executive readiness.
You're ready for more
You've proven yourself but the path to the top still feels out of reach.
There's a gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Despite recent progress, women still face significant barriers to executive leadership:
You don't need to wait. You need the right tools, frameworks, and network.
The CEW Leaders Program was built specifically for this moment in your career.
A program designed by women, for women
For 20+ years, CEW has researched the specific challenges senior women face on the path to executive leadership. This program emerged from that research. It's evidence-based, proven, and transformational.
Unlike generic leadership programs adapted from male-centric models, the Leaders Program:
- Focuses on amplifying your existing strengths, not "fixing" weaknesses.
- Addresses the unique barriers women face.
- Creates a safe space for authentic reflection and growth.
- Connects you with women who truly understand your journey.
The READY framework: your path to executive leadership
Over 6 intensive days, across two blocks of 3 days, you'll move through five core elements designed to build on each other for lasting transformation.
What you'll experience
- Welcome and Program overview
- Introduction to the READY framework
- Meeting the cohort: This Is Me
- Setting goals and intentions
- Why Strengths Matter: Gallup Insights & Impact
- Unlocking the Power of your unique Strengths
- Navigating Limiting Thoughts and Beliefs
- CEW Member Guest Speaker: Leadership, Identity and Self Belief
- Daily Reflections
- Exploring your Personal Journey
- Listening Pair Exercise: Moments that shaped me
- Designing a Life Well Lived
- Values Alignment Exercise
- CEW Member Guest Speaker: Lessons of leading with values
- Your commitment to pursuing a life well lived
- CEW Member Guest Speaker: Leading with Purpose
- Crafting your Purpose
- Demystifying Executive Search
- Leadership Shadow
- Building your Executive Brand
- Peer Feedback Exercise: Refining your Executive Brand
- Block One overview and key takeaways
- Welcome back and realigning to READY framework
- Influential Presence framework
- Core: Mindset, Confidence, Executive Brand
- Communication: Body Language, Vocal Presence
- Connection: Storytelling
- Practice: Apply your learning
- Daily Reflections
- Igniting your Teams using strengths
- Strategic Strengths: Choosing what to use, when
- It's who you know: Cultivating a powerful network
- Practice: Networking Skills in action
- CEW Member Guest Speaker: The Power of People
- Leadership Lessons: Questions that spark curiosity
- CEW Member Guest Speaker: Sips of Wisdom
- Leadership Coaching: The GROW Model
- Practice: Application of framework in peer coaching
- Future You: Executive READY commitments
- Creating your 3x3x3 Action Plan
- Alumni Network Access
- Graduation and Final Reflections
What's included in your investment
The alumni advantage
When you invest in yourself through the Leaders Program, you join thousands of women who've transformed their careers.
Based on post-program feedback from Leaders Program participants (FY26 data)
Understand their unique strengths and how to amplify them.
Have new tools to enhance executive presence.
Have clarity on leadership goals and the confidence to pursue them.
Cultivated supportive relationships and new tools to grow their professional network.
Feel ready for Executive Leadership.
Have a clear understanding of their executive brand and how to cultivate it.
"I walked away feeling energised, inspired, and deeply grateful to be part of this program. The thoughtfulness behind every session, the calibre of speakers, and the opportunity to reflect and grow alongside such a brilliant group of women made it truly special."
What leaders are saying
"The women on the program with me and their honesty and vulnerability. I also appreciated the guest speakers and their frank and fearless advice."
"Writing the purpose was really impactful for me. Understanding the strengths, understanding my values then building that out into a purpose. I wouldn't change anything."
"What a great experience CEW have created, not just another course. I know I have made life long connections in a short period of time."
"How openly people shared their stories and experiences, and how alike we are, even though we are all different."
"The self reflection that I've never really thought through before. Identifying and celebrating my strengths."
"Built for women by women who have walked in my shoes. I loved the wisdom, the vulnerability and the way my confidence grew. I feel like anything is possible."
See it in action
Is this program right for you?
Perfect for you if:
- You're 1–2 steps away from executive leadership.
- You've proven yourself but feel there's another level to unlock.
- You want evidence-based frameworks, not generic advice.
- You're ready to invest in yourself and commit to all 6 days.
- You value connecting with other senior women who understand your journey.
- You're open to reflection, vulnerability, and authentic growth.
- You want to amplify your strengths, not "fix" weaknesses.
May not be right for you if:
-
You're not yet in a senior management role
This includes Coordinators, Officers, Associates, early-career professionals, and mid-level managers without senior management responsibilities.
-
You're seeking a virtual or on-demand program
The program is specifically designed by women for women and tailored to senior women leaders who seek in-person interaction.
-
You're unable to wholly meet the program's time or location requirements
The program requires a six-day commitment, delivered in two blocks of three days (9am–4pm), with attendance in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or Brisbane.
-
You're expecting entry-level or general leadership training
The program is intended for women already operating at a strategic leadership level and preparing for executive roles. Not for those needing beginner-level development or technical and early-career skills training.
Still Unsure?
Contact our team for a confidential conversation about whether this program is right for your career stage.
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Everything you need to know
Locations
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth
All programs run in premium CBD venues
Time commitment
6 days total
Two blocks of 3 days (9am–4pm each day)
3–4 weeks between blocks for practice
Who should attend
Senior women managers:
Head of Department · General Manager · Director · Partner / Lead
Learning approach
Small group coaching · Dynamic discussions · Collaborative activities · Guest speakers · Peer learning
Investment in your executive future
- All 6 days of facilitated program delivery
- CliftonStrengths assessment, personalised report, and debrief with a Gallup Certified Coach
- All program materials and resources
- Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea refreshments
- Guest speaker sessions with CEW Members
- Lifetime alumni network access
- Post-program resources and quarterly webinars
Corporate Group Bookings
Enrolling 3+ participants from your organisation? Contact us about group bookings.
Secure your place
Programs fill quickly. We keep cohorts small (20–24 participants) to ensure meaningful connections and personalised attention.
Most intakes fill 6–8 weeks before start date. Don't miss your preferred city and dates.
FAQs
Is this program right for my career stage?
▼The Leaders Program is designed for senior women managers including Heads of Department, General Managers, Directors, Leads, Partners, or equivalent roles. If you're positioned 2–4 steps from C-suite and are in the pipeline for executive leadership and have significant management experience, this program will be right for you.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact our team for a confidential conversation about your specific situation.
What makes this different from other leadership programs?
▼Three key differentiators:
- Evidence-based curriculum built from 20+ years of research specifically on women's leadership challenges. Not generic content adapted from male-centric models.
- Facilitators are CEW Members and Executives — actual senior executives and board directors who've navigated the path you're on.
- Strengths-focused approach — we amplify your existing strengths rather than trying to "fix" weaknesses. You're not broken; you're ready to be amplified.
This is an in-person program. We believe the depth of connection, vulnerability, and transformation that happens face-to-face cannot be replicated in virtual settings.
What's the time commitment between the two blocks?
▼The two 3-day blocks are spaced 3–4 weeks apart. This spacing is intentional — it allows you to practice and apply what you've learned in your current role. There are no assignments between blocks; participants are encouraged to apply learnings, continue to develop and reflect, and return to Block 2 with real-world experience of the frameworks.
This creates powerful momentum: you're not just learning, you're implementing and seeing results before the second block even begins.
How quickly will I see results?
▼Participants report immediate application of tools and frameworks. The program is designed for action-oriented learning — you'll use what you learn the very next day.
Longer-term transformation builds throughout the program and continues as you apply the READY framework to your career. Many participants report receiving new opportunities (promotions, board roles, strategic projects) within 12–18 months.
What happens after the 6 days?
▼You'll gain lifetime access to the CEW Leaders Program alumni network of 3,000+ women, ongoing resources, quarterly alumni webinars with CEW Members, and invitations to exclusive alumni events.
Many participants maintain their cohort connections for years, creating a support system and professional network that lasts well beyond the 6 days.
Explore other CEW programs
Executive Leaders Program
For C-suite and board-level women ready to amplify gravitas and transformational impact.
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CEW Scholarships
World-class scholarships for women in healthcare, STEM, arts, not-for-profit, sustainability, and more.
Opportunities at Harvard, INSEAD, Oxford, Melbourne Business School, and CEW programs.
View scholarshipsReady to become Executive READY?
Don't wait 134 years for equality.
Your executive career starts here.
Email [email protected] or call +61 2 9182 7816