The Spark Program
A leadership development journey for rising women leaders ready to expand their influence, step into bigger roles, and lead with authentic impact
NOW OPEN: The Spark Leadership Program Founding Cohort
We're seeking 6 exceptional rising women leaders for our complimentary founding pilot cohort starting January 2026.
Join us in shaping the future of women's leadership development. Applications close 9th January
Apply now for the complimentary Founding Cohort →
Ignite Confidence. Amplify Influence. Accelerate Your Rise.
The Spark Leadership Program is designed for mid-level managers and emerging leaders who are ready to step up. You lead projects, manage teams, or influence across functions, but you're navigating new territory: speaking up in senior meetings, building strategic relationships, and leading without full authority.
Over six months, you'll develop three critical capabilities: the confidence to find your authentic voice, the strategic relationships that amplify influence, and the practical skills to lead with impact, even when you're not the most senior person in the room.
In a dynamic cohort of 6-8 rising women on similar journeys, you'll build confidence through peer support, practice new skills in a psychologically safe space, and accelerate your readiness for senior leadership. You'll leave with a trusted peer network, practical frameworks you'll use immediately, and the momentum to continue your rise.
This Program Is For You If You Are A Rising Leader Who:
Leads or is preparing to lead teams for the first time
Manages projects or initiatives across functions
Is being considered for senior leadership roles
Wants to increase visibility and strategic influence
Seeks to balance ambition with authenticity as you rise
Wants to connect with a trusted community of peers navigating similar transitions
This program is ideal for women ready to move from managing tasks to leading people, from delivering results to influencing strategy, and from working hard to working strategically.
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Confidence is the foundation of impactful leadership. This module helps rising women leaders recognise their strengths, articulate their value, and show up authentically in rooms as they establish credibility in expanded roles.
In this module, you'll:
Identify and articulate your unique leadership strengths and values
Build presence and credibility when influencing without formal authority
Develop your authentic leadership voice and communication style
Practice self-advocacy and strategic visibility in your organization
Strengthen confidence when stepping into new challenges
Key frameworks: Strengths articulation, confidence anchor, strategic speaking-up, self-advocacy, presence-building
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Leadership happens through relationships. This module equips rising leaders with the mindset and skills to build strategic networks, cultivate trust across the organisation, and create the relationships that accelerate career momentum.
In this module, you'll:
Develop strategic networking skills and build cross-functional relationships
Practice coaching and mentoring approaches to support your growing teams
Navigate organisational politics with integrity and savvy
Build relationships with senior stakeholders and sponsors
Create cultures of psychological safety within your teams
Key frameworks: Relationship mapping, strategic networking, coaching approach, stakeholder management, organisational navigation
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Influence is the currency of leadership. This module strengthens participants' ability to navigate difficult conversations, advocate for ideas, and lead through challenge, even when they're not the most senior person in the room.
In this module, you'll:
Understand sources of influence beyond positional authority
Build confidence in presenting ideas and challenging the status quo
Navigate difficult conversations and productive conflict
Develop skills for upward influence and managing up effectively
Lead through change and ambiguity with composure
Key frameworks: Sources of influence, upward influence, difficult conversations, managing up, leading through change
Program Structure & Delivery
Core to the program are three modules, each building skills, reflection and development: The Confident Leader (finding your own voice and owning your impact), The Connected Leader (building relationships that nurture trust) and The Influential Leader (Leading with impact, wherever you sit in the organisation).
The Spark Program follows a carefully sequenced 6-month journey:
Weeks 1-2: Discover Your Strengths 1:1 CliftonStrengths coaching session to identify your unique leadership strengths and clarify development goals
Week 4: Module 1 - The Confident Leader 3-hour workshop building confidence to find your voice and own your impact
Weeks 5-7: Peer Learning Structured peer session to reflect, share, and practice confidence-building skills
Week 8: Module 2 - The Connected Leader 3-hour workshop developing strategic relationships that nurture trust
Weeks 9-11: Peer Learning Structured peer session to support relationship-building and share organisational navigation strategies
Week 12: Module 3 - The Influential Leader 3-hour workshop strengthening your ability to lead with impact without full authority
Weeks 13-15: Peer Learning Structured peer session to practice influence skills and celebrate growth
Week 24: Program Impact Evaluation Cohort check-in to measure impact, ensure accountability, and celebrate your transformation
What’s Included?
1:1 Coaching Session - Your journey begins with a private coaching session using the CliftonStrengths assessment to discover your leadership strengths and clarify your development goals. This session creates a personalised foundation for your six-month journey.
Three 3-Hour In-Person Workshops - Dynamic, interactive workshops that combine leadership theory with immediately applicable skills. Each module builds on the previous one, creating a holistic development journey. Workshops are optimised for in-person delivery to maximise peer connection and psychological safety, with virtual delivery available for distributed teams.
Peer Learning Sessions - Between each workshop, your cohort reconnects for structured peer learning sessions. These sessions, guided by provided materials, create space to reflect, share experiences, and support each other's growth, accelerating your leadership development through peer support.
6-Month Accountability Check-In - The program concludes with a cohort check-in to celebrate growth, ensure accountability, and sustain momentum. This includes a program impact evaluation where participants complete a post-program assessment measuring leadership confidence, skill application, and development goal achievement.
Individual Leadership Action Plan - Throughout the program, you'll develop a personalised action plan that translates learning into workplace application, ensuring sustained impact beyond the six months.
All Program Materials & Resources - Comprehensive materials including frameworks, tools, worksheets, and resources you'll use immediately and reference throughout your career.
All programs are facilitated by qualified (EMCC/ICF) executive coaches and grounded in evidence-based leadership models aligned with contemporary research on women's leadership.
The Cohort Experience
Limited to 6-8 rising women leaders to ensure psychological safety, peer support, and meaningful connection during this critical career transition.
Small cohorts create the conditions for authentic learning and lasting relationships. In a group of 6-8 rising women, you can:
Share honestly about challenges like imposter syndrome, difficult managers, or career uncertainty
Learn from peers navigating similar transitions in different contexts
Build authentic networks that accelerate your career beyond the program
Practice new skills without the pressure of getting it perfect
Support each other's rise through challenges and wins
These peer relationships often become one of the most valuable outcomes, a trusted network of women who understand your journey and champion your growth.
he founding cohort will be delivered virtually via MS Teams to enable participation from exceptional senior women leaders regardless of location.
Future cohorts may be offered in-person, virtually, or as hybrid experiences.
All sessions are designed for interactive, engaging virtual participation with breakout rooms, collaborative exercises, and meaningful peer connection.
What Participants Gain
By the end of The Spark Leadership Program, you will:
✓ Lead with greater confidence, clarity, and strategic influence
✓ Build trusted peer networks of women navigating similar transitions
✓ Navigate organisational dynamics with authenticity and savvy, understanding how to influence effectively
✓ Advocate effectively for yourself, your teams, and your ideas
✓ Accelerate your readiness for senior leadership roles with practical skills and increased confidence
Together, participants leave with strengthened confidence in their emerging leadership identity, clarity about their unique value, practical strategies to increase their influence, and the momentum to accelerate their rise.
Time Commitment
Approximately 27-28 hours over six months, equivalent to less than one hour per week:
12 hours of expert-facilitated learning (1:1 session + three 3-hour workshops + check-in)
3-4.5 hours of peer collaboration (three peer learning sessions)
12 hours of self-directed development work (applying new skills directly to workplace challenges)
This structure balances expert guidance with self-directed application, building the lifelong learning habits essential for sustained leadership excellence.
Investment
For Individual Leaders:
Standard Investment: £1,200 + VAT (£1,440 total)
Payment Options:
Pay in full
Payment plan: £240/month × 6 months (no additional fees)
Pilot Cohort Founding Member Enrolment:
The 2026 founding cohort is complimentary (standard value: £1,200 + VAT) in exchange for detailed feedback and optional participation in case studies.
Apply for the Complimentary Founding Cohort Pilot →
Future cohorts: £1,200 + VAT with payment plans available.
Please contact us to discuss
For Organisations:
Per Participant: £1,200 + VAT
What's included for organisational sponsors:
All program elements listed above
Detailed program impact evaluation
Anonymised cohort insights to inform future talent investment
Develops high-potential women for senior roles
Reduces mid-career attrition
Volume Discounts: Available for organizations sponsoring multiple participants across cohorts
Organizational Consultation: Contact us to discuss how The Spark Program can strengthen your leadership pipeline and retain top female talent.
How do I know if I'm "senior enough" for Ember vs. Spark?
Choose Ember if:
You currently lead teams or significantly influence strategy
You're navigating senior stakeholder dynamics regularly
Your challenges center on empowering others, sustaining through complexity, and leading strategically
Choose Spark if:
You're stepping into your first substantial leadership role
You're building influence without full formal authority
Your challenges center on confidence, visibility, and proving yourself
Still unsure? Book a discovery call and we'll help you identify the right fit.
