Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds Beckett to host women in leadership conference
The first #WECAN Conference is set to take place at The Met Hotel in Leeds from 10:00 – 16:00 on Thursday 3 March and will see guests explore the theme of empowerment.
The free event will feature presentations from leading industry experts and academics including Sophie Cliff aka The Joyful Coach, a qualified coach, positive psychology practitioner and founder of Joy Futures and Dr Martina Topić, reader at Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University and #WECAN academic lead.
Guests can also take part in ConverStations, a selection of discussions on carefully chosen topics such as imposter syndrome, led by experts and an ideal opportunity to meet other SMES from across the region.
The three-year #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) project is led by Leeds Beckett University, in partnership with Edge Hill University and SEYH (Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber).
The project, part funded by the European Social Fund with support from the Department of Work and Pensions offers funded support and training to eligible businesses and their women employees, enabling women to progress into and within leadership roles.
Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School, said: “At Leeds Business School, we are committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to enabling change through communities of practice and to facilitating knowledge exchange opportunities with direct impact on our region. I am delighted that based on a dynamic partnership #WECAN is supporting SMEs across the Leeds City Region to become more resilient and to use their talent to the full.”
Professor Anastasia Konstantopoulou, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Edge Hill University said: “The #WECAN project is all about empowering women to break glass ceilings and reach their full potential. By working together with SMEs we ensure that organisations foster the culture and processes necessary to achieve this and at the same time grow. I am delighted to be part of such an innovative project and looking forward to welcoming our participants and local SMEs to our first conference.”
Unlike many #WECAN events, this event is not just for project participants and the follow groups from across the Leeds City Region will be attending:
- SME business owners
- SME women employees
- Organisations and networks who work with SMEs
- #WECAN participating businesses and individuals
Ali Ward, General Manager at SEYH Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber said: “As we near the one year anniversary of launching #WECAN, hosting our very first in-person event and conference is a fantastic milestone to reach. We’re delighted to offer the conference widely across the region and look forward to both meeting new faces and welcoming our existing #WECAN community after a year of virtual events.”
The conference is now sold out however a waiting list has been created for anyone who wishes to be contacted if places become available. Please email wecan@leedsbeckett.ac.uk to notify the team of your interest in attending.
Find out more at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/wecan