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A Development Journey for Senior Women's Leadership

International Leadership Program
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About
Navigate the Leadership Labyrinth with Clarity, Power and Purpose
Women Up is the result of a shared commitment between Nova SBE Executive Education, Sonae and EDP to offer senior executive leaders a new perspective and strategic tools to navigate the leadership labyrinth with clarity, power, and purpose.
Overview
Program Snapshot
Dates
From November 2025
to October 2026
Format
Blended
Language
English
Location
Online & Carcavelos,
Lisbon, Portugal
Duration I 12 months
Online
November 2025
Kick-off session
In Person I Immersive Week
March 8th - 13th 2026
@ Campus Nova SBE, Lisbon
Online
April – October 2026
Translating insight into action and solidifying long-term leadership transformation.
Tuition & Funding
Investment
Program Fee
9.880€
Program Fee with Scholarship
2.950€
Scholarship Support
Applicants may apply for one of 10 scholarships covering 70% of the program fee.
 The following factors are positively considered in the selection process:
Breadth of leadership experience,
including international
or crosscultural exposure.
Ability to lead in digital
transformation with adaptability
and openness to innovation.
Limited or no employer sponsorship,
showing strong personal
commitment to the program.
Scholarship Powered By EDP & Sonae
A substantial grant co-sponsored by EDP and Sonae covers 70% of the program fee for the top 10 selected candidates.
This investment reflects a shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership and expanding access to cross-sector growth, connection and impact on a global scale.
Participant Profile
Is this Program for you?
Ideal candidates include those who:
Report directly to an Executive Committee member or serve on a Management Team.
Lead business units, functions, or transformation agendas with cross-functional scope and significant people and financial responsibility.
Have extensive professional experience and are seeking to strengthen strategic clarity, expand influence and lead effectively in complex environments.
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Learning Outcomes
Key learnings along the Labyrinth
Leading From Within
Self-Leadership
— Build deeper self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience to lead with authenticity and adaptability.
Competencies Developed
Self awareness • Authentic  leadership • Emotional intelligence • Adaptability
Navigating Complexity
Strategic Vision
— Develop the ability to lead change with strategic clarity by navigating complexity, anticipating global shifts and applying decision-making frameworks to real-world challenges.
Competencies Developed
Strategic foresight •  Strategic  decision-making • Systemic thinking  • Change management
Expanding Influence
Power & Presence
— Enhance executive presence and influence by navigating power dynamics, building trust-based relationships and communicating effectively in high-stakes, board-level environments.
Competencies Developed
Executive communication • Stakeholder management • Strategic collaboration
Shaping the Future
Legacy & Impact
— Amplify your public voice and legacy through industry thought leadership, inclusive advocacy and sustainable impact beyond your organization.
Competencies Developed
Legacy building • Inclusive leadership  • Systemic influence
Selection Process
Application Process
Phase 1
AUGUST 1 – SEPTEMBER 26 | 2025
Application Period
Candidates submit their application through an online form, including a CV and motivation letter. A recommendation letter is encouraged at this stage but may be submitted later, no later than October 10.
Top candidates notified:
October 3, 2025
Phase 2
OCTOBER 6 – OCTOBER 10 | 2025
Leadership Competencies Assessment
Selected candidates complete a leadership assessment designed to explore individual leadership dimensions and support a more informed selection process. The recommendation letter must be submitted by the end of this phase.
Top candidates notified:
October 17, 2025
Phase 3
OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 31 | 2025
Final Interview
Individual interviews held by a selection committee to explore motivation, readiness and English fluency.
Selected participants confirmed:
November 7, 2025
Program Kick-Off:
Week of November 24, 2025
Requirements
To be considered, you must
Demonstrate at least 15 years of professional experience, including 5+ years in people management and proven senior or strategic leadership responsibility.
Submit a recommendation letter from a senior professional who can speak to your leadership experience.
Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education qualification.
Submit a motivation letter outlining career goals and alignment with the program.
Commit to full participation in the program.
Be proficient in English (C1 level or equivalent).
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Last name
Email
Phone number
Gender
Employer name
Years of professional exp.
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Faculty
Academic Direction
Miguel Pina e Cunha
PhD in Marketing from Tilburg University (1998)
PhD in Marketing from Tilburg University (1998).He is Fundação Amélia de Mello Professor of Leadership and Organization Studies and Vice-Dean of Innovation & Impact at Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, where he also serves as the Academic Director of Executive Education. His research deals with the paradoxes of organizations. He co-edited The Routledge Companion to Improvisation in Organizations, published by Routledge in 2024 and Organizational Paradoxes: Theory and Practice, published by Sage in 2024.
Marta Pimentel
PhD in Business Sciences from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (2014)
PhD in Business Sciences from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (2014).She is the Executive Director of Executive Education at Nova SBE and a Board member of Unicon. She brings 15+ years of leadership in global executive education, including at Fundação Dom Cabral, with a strong focus on advancing women in leadership across sectors and regions.
Faculty
Women Up is led by internationally recognized faculty and practitioners who combine academic excellence with real-world leadership experience.
Jenny Hoobler
Professor of Human Resources Management at Nova SBE, internationally recognized for her research on gender, leadership, and workplace inclusion. Author of 200+ academic works and a global advisor on DEI and women's advancement.
Hannes Leroy
Professor at Rotterdam School of Management and leading expert on authentic leadership. His work explores how leaders develop integrity and psychological safety by aligning personal values with organizational behavior.
Minnie Freudenthal
Postgraduate in Internal Medicine (American Board) with a medical degree from the University of Lisbon. Co-founder of Performance Optimal and with interests in nutrition, neuroscience and mindfulness
Nadim Habib
Nadim Habib
Strategy and innovation consultant with deep expertise in agile leadership and organizational transformation. Frequent keynote speaker and executive educator with extensive international corporate experience.
Ana Moniz
Psychologist, certified executive coach, and leadership trainer. Specialist in emotional intelligence, resilience, and psychological coaching for courageous, values-driven leadership.
Inês Caldeira
Deputy General Manager of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division. At 35, she was nominated CEO of L'Oréal Portugal, becoming the first woman and the youngest to hold this position.
Subi Rangan
Chaired professor of Strategy, INSEAD; MBA from MIT; PhD from Harvard. Pioneering scholar integrating economics and philosophy to explore why and how business leaders can better integrate performance & progress. Subi is Board Member at Fundação Dom Cabral, Brazil, and at the WEF Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
Additional guest faculty, facilitators, and executive speakers will contribute throughout the program.  Faculty may vary depending on availability.
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About Nova Sbe
Distinguished among the best
Top World Rankings
#
1
Open and Custom Programs Portugal
#
15
Custom Programs
‍World
#
3
Practical Application
‍World
Triple Crown Accreditation
ACCSB + EQUIS + AMBA
Our commitment has enabled us to obtain the most exclusive international certifications.
A Global Benchmark in Executive Education
We are an associate member of UNICON, a global consortium whose members are the most sought-after training partners for leaders and organisations looking to improve performance.
About Sonae
Sonae is a multinational company managing a diversified portfolio of businesses in retail, real estate, telecommunications and ventures.

As the big private employer in Portugal and with over 55.000 employees worldwide, Sonae is strongly committed to gender equality, aiming to achieve 45% of women in leadership by 2026. It is recognized in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for its best practices.
About Edp
EDP is a global energy company leading the energy transition, operating across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. With employees from 68 nationalities, EDP is committed to advancing gender equality, aiming to reach 31% of female representation in both its workforce and leadership by 2026.