Empowering Women to Lead AI - Scotland - Autumn

October - December 2026

Apply Online Here

Supporting Organisations

Partners

Summary

This is a unique, cross-sector, leadership program for women working in the AI sector or AI professions across the public, private and third sectors. Delivered by Empowering You and in association with the Scottish Digital Academy, Scottish Government and ScotlandIS, the goal of the initiative is to build a collaborative and powerful community of women leaders in AI across Scotland, ensuring a more diverse, inclusive and successful AI eco-system that works for everyone.

Delivered between October - December 2026, Empowering Women to Lead AI is designed to enable the transition of AI professionals into more confident, capable and energised leaders.

Key Learning Points

Accelerate personal leadership skills and adaptability
Understand and develop your own personal and authentic leadership style and skills
Build confidence and influencing skills to lead change
Leverage the combined expertise of peers to progress individual and collective growth

Program Modules

Segmented into four workshop modules, individual 1-1 coaching and a team community challenge, Empowering Women to Lead AI engages participants in a personal journey to realise your leadership potential.

Each module includes a senior guest speaker from diverse industries and sectors sharing their own personal leadership journey.

Self-awareness, strengths and what holds you back

How neuroscience can inform your values, beliefs and behaviours

Vital coaching skills and different leadership styles

Energising your career and optimising your impact.

Program Experience

Empowering Women to Lead AI immerses participants in a multi-layered development journey designed to ensure maximum individual impact.

This program is delivered in a face-to-face and highly experiential format, with group activities and action learning sets.

Our expert leadership facilitators ensure we maintain high levels of personal engagement and diverse perspectives.

2 x 2-day in-person workshops in cohort of 15- 20 participants
Guest industry speakers sharing personal leadership stories
1-1 coaching sessions with a professional leadership coach
A team collaboration challenge for the national community
A graduation event with team presentations to an audience of industry peers and certificate awards

Program Timetable

Activity	Format	Date
Self-assessment	Self-directed, individual
1st 2-day workshop	In-person, Edinburgh	1st - 2nd October
Challenges Kick-off calls	Self-directed, team groups
Coaching Preparation	Self-Directed	1 week after workshop
Coaching Session	Interactive via Zoom, 1-1
Workshop Actions	Self-directed, Individual
2nd 2-day workshop	In-person, Edinburgh	5th - 6th November
Workshop Actions	Self-directed, individual	Before graduation
Coaching Session	Interactive via Zoom, 1-1	Before graduation
Challenges Team calls	Self-directed, team groups	1 hour call per week
Graduation and Team Challenge presentations	In-person, Edinburgh (half-day event)	1st December

Pricing & Enrolment

This is a free but selective program. Participants will be selected by a cross-industry panel after applying.

Participants are expected to attend all workshops and the graduation event to complete the programme and graduate.

Apply Online Here

Closing Date For Applications: 28 Aug 2026

Venue: Central Edinburgh

Pricing: Free

Max Participants: 20

Date & Time Information:

1st 2-day workshop

Thursday 1st October 2026 - 10:00 to 18:00

Friday 2nd October 2026 - 09:00 to 16:30

2nd 2-day workshop

Thursday 5th November 2026 - 10:00 to 18:00

Friday 6th November 2026 - 09:00 to 16:30

It is expected that participants will stay overnight close to the venue on the middle evening of each 2-day workshop and join the planned networking social and group preparation work. Exceptional circumstances (eg. childcare arrangements) will be considered of course.

What Our Alumni Say

“The coaching took me on a deeper level to review both my professional and personal objectives and I truly valued this opportunity and experience.”

Nuala Kilmartin | Innovation Lead, UKRI

“I liked the “experiential” part of the program – it was very interactive and there was a lot of discussion and reflection.”

Nadia Vidinova | Content Designer/User Centred Design, Social Security Scotland

“To be part of a network of inspiring, empowered women that I can tap into, and give back to, for support, ideas, mentoring and to simply share successes with, is truly a blessing.”

Michelle Baillie | Team Leader, Forensic Computer Analyst, Police Scotland

“Essentially, this program forced me to take time and space and reflect on who I am and what I want in my career and life – both as a leader and as a person.”

Narelle Gibbons | Product Manager, STV Group

“I absolutely loved the program! For me personally, it was so much more than I was expecting and the outcomes will shape who I am moving forward to lead in Cyber Security.”

Irene Coyle | Chief Operating Officer, OSP Cyber Academy

“The entire program has been a very positive, immersive experience that has left me feeling empowered and ready to take on future challenges.”

Ieva Kaleinikovaite | Adarma