20046: Women in Leadership Programs: International Perspectives, Challenges and Future Directions

Sunday, July 27, 2025

13:45 - 15:15 CEST (GMT+2)

Location: Bella Center: MR181

Session Type: Symposium (panel)
Orientation: Practice,International,Diversity
Shareable link: https://cdmcd.co/YKLzMY

Participant(s)

MB

Myriam Blin

Curtin University - Perth, Mauritius
SA

Sujana Adapa

professor, Australia
DA

Deirdre Anderson

Cranfield University, United Kingdom
MH

Margaret M. Hopkins

University of Toledo, United States
LL

Linley Anne Lord

Curtin University - Perth, Singapore
TN

Tien Thu Thuy Nguyen

Curtin Singapore, Singapore
DO

Deborah A. O'Neil

Bowling Green State University, United States
SO

Samantha Owen

Curtin University - Perth, Australia
LP

Lina Pelliccione

Curtin University - Perth, Mauritius
SV

Susan Vinnicombe

-, United Kingdom

This panel symposium addresses the persistent issue of women’s underrepresentation in leadership roles, despite numerous initiatives aimed at fostering gender equity in organisations worldwide. Drawing on the expertise of international scholars, the session explores the impact, challenges, and future directions of Women in Leadership programs across diverse cultural contexts, including the US, UK, Australia, Mauritius, and Vietnam. The symposium provides a critical examination of the varying efficacy of such programs, particularly those targeting developed economies, while also emphasising the need for localised approaches in developing regions to address cultural and institutional barriers. This symposium will draw upon the panel’s expertise to highlight current initiatives in the US, UK, Australia, Mauritius, and Vietnam that are creating, or that have the potential to result in, lasting change. The aim is to facilitate an interactive panel discussion with symposium participants regarding gender equality in cultural contexts where initiatives such as women only leadership development programs are nascent. We will also discuss challenges related to maintaining momentum in more developed economies, including where the dominant political narrative suggests that current measures to improve gender equity should be wound back. The interactive format will provide increased opportunity for symposium participants to contribute to future directions for women’s leadership development across different cultural contexts.