EDP joins forces with Nova SBE and Sonae in an international programme to promote female leadership
Nova SBE Executive Education, in partnership with EDP and Sonae, is launching Women Up, an innovative international programme aimed at accelerating the advancement of women leaders into top-level positions. Designed to promote gender equality and strengthen female representation in senior management, this programme reflects the commitment of EDP, Sonae and Nova SBE Executive Education to fostering an inclusive culture across organisations. The programme offers a transformative journey that, over the course of a year, combines coaching, mentoring, immersive learning and cutting-edge technology.
To meet the current demands and realities faced by women in executive roles, Women Up is targeted at professionals with over 15 years of experience, at least 5 years of team management experience, and a strong ambition to reach C-level positions.
Combining academic rigour with practical experience, the programme provides personalised support and a network for sharing and influence. It connects women in leadership roles across various sectors and enhances participants’ visibility to opportunities both locally and internationally.
Thanks to the support of EDP and Sonae, the top 10 selected candidates will benefit from a scholarship covering 70% of the tuition fee. This investment reflects the joint commitment to accelerating female leadership and expanding access to growth, connection and impact opportunities on a global scale.
With an intensive, immersive and international approach, Women Up promotes the development of skills that combine essential capabilities at the highest level of management with the unique dynamics women face in top positions.
“Despite progress in gender equality, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership across all sectors. Gender equality is now a strategic priority, and with this programme we are taking a concrete step towards creating support ecosystems that help women leaders build impact with authenticity, influence and global vision,” says Pedro Brito, CEO of Nova SBE Executive Education.
“At EDP, we see leadership diversity as a competitive advantage for the business. Women Up is a strategic investment not only to strengthen our own leadership pipeline, but also to contribute to the development of female talent in society, building a pool of leaders prepared to meet the complexity and demands of the future energy sector and other strategic industries,” says João Verdelho, Head of Global Talent Management at EDP.
“At Sonae, we see inclusive leadership as a driver of innovation and collective progress. Every day, we work to build a culture that values diversity of thought and promotes equity. Women Up reflects our commitment to supporting the development of female leaders, trusting in the impact they will have on transforming organisations and society,” says Miguel Tolentino, Head of Group People & Leadership at Sonae.
Applications for Women Up are open from today, 25 August 2025, and close on 26 September 2025.
Nova SBE Executive Education combines the best of conceptual and scientific knowledge with top business experiences and practices, establishing a close link between academia and companies. Its goal is to deliver advanced executive training in economics, management and finance, and contribute to the development of management knowledge.
For more information, visit: https://executiveducation.novasbe.pt/special/women-up