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Are you a female or female-identifying leader?
Perhaps you're running a business that's driving forward change toward the Sustainable Development Goals? Or creating change within a community organisation? Or leading an advocacy project?
The Female Founders Forum is a 7-month self-development programme here to help you connect, learn, and amplify your impact.
Through regular in-person gatherings and 1:1 mentoring, you will be equipped with everything they need to catalyse powerful impact toward the SDGs, rebuild our economy, and reimagine our shared future.
Build your kete of skills, tools, and knowledge
The Female Founders Forum is perfect for you if:
You are a female or female-identifying leader who is playing a key role within a business, organisation, or project that is addressing one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
You are happy to commit to a full-day in-person Forum session once approximately every six weeks.
You are happy to commit to attending an in-person showcase event.
You are based in the Waikato region, or are happy to travel to the region, to participate in these sessions.
You want to learn from fellow leaders and renowned experts.
You're ready to be part of a tribe of changemakers ready to uplift each other, share wins, and navigate challenges.
You want to learn new skills, enhance your decision-making abilities, grow your leadership, nurture your wellbeing, and lift your confidence.
Female Founders Forum: Cohort 2 begins in March 2025
Strictly limited to 15 places.
$1,500 investment. Scholarships available.
Connect, learn, grow, and thrive
Here's what's included in the programme ...
1:1 Support and MentoringWork one-on-one with your very own mentor, who will check-in on you and guide you through the programme.
Cohort SessionsParticipate in six in-person sessions, delivered in the Hamilton and Tokoroa Impact Hubs each month, where you'll be able to connect, learn, and be inspired.
By the end of the programme, you'll:
Have a crew of powerful women surrounding you and cheering you on.
Have built your skillset and knowledge on relevant topics such as marketing, financial planning, branding and story telling.
Have honed your leadership abilities and cultivated a strong sense of self-awareness, empowerment, and resilience.
Have built a robust support network of mentors, advisors, and collaborators who will champion your success, offer valuable feedback, and hold you accountable to your goals.
Have developed a clear vision and strategic roadmap for your personal and professional growth.
Feel more equipped and confident than ever to create positive impact at scale.
A proven transformation
Over 50 female leaders have already been through our virtual pilot programme. Participants have commented on the transformative power of the connections they formed (some even established formal business partnerships), and were especially grateful to have developed their growth mindset and learnt about self-leadership.
Your questions answered
Am I eligible to apply for the Female Founders Forum?
The Female Founders Forum is for any Waikato-based female or female-identifying leader.
Perhaps you're leading a social enterprise, spearheading a community project, or advocating for change?
The specifics don't matter - we're looking for anyone who is already pioneering the way to a more just and sustainable world, and is keen to grow personally and professionally.
How do I know if the Female Founders Forum is right for me?
Do any of these sound familiar?
"I want to work with good people to make good work, and to connect with, and learn from people who are ambitious and intentional."
"I could use more knowledge, networks and support as we navigate our journey through impact-startup life."
"Meet inspirational women dealing with, and willing to discuss, the same challenges and opportunities."
"It often feels lonely as a founder, there's things I need help with at times but it's hard to know where to go and it would be amazing to get to support other female founders while receiving support myself."
"I am isolated in my work a lot of the time. I could do with more connections to female leaders!"
These quotes were all shared by previous Female Founders Forum participants when they started the programme. If any of them resonate with you, then the Forum is a perfect fit!
What are the key dates and times?
Female Founders sessions will be happening on:
July 5
August 15
September 13
October 18
November 8 (Community Showcase)
November 15
December 6
These are full-day sessions, and they may look something like this:
9:30am-10am: Arrive, settle in, and network freely
10am-11am: Facilitated connection and peer sharing, relating to the topic of the day. This might include breakout groups, pod discussions and group discussions, centred around a thought-provoking question
11am: Break
11.15am-12.45pm: Masterclass with expert speaker
12.45pm-1.15pm: Lunch
1.15pm-2:30pm: Hands-on workshop to put the day's learning into action
2:30pm-3.30pm: Facilitated networking
What is expected from me?
Attendance at all full-day cohort sessions (8 hours per day, 1 day per month, across 6 months).
Attendance at all 1:1 mentoring sessions (1-2 hours per month, across 6 months).
Full commitment to The Sisterhood System.
Attendance at the Community Showcase.
These commitments will help you get the full benefit of the programme. If any of these expectations are unrealistic for you, please get in touch with our team, and we can discuss alternative options.
What's the cost?
The Female Founders Forum is $1,500. We have some scholarships available. You can indicate via the application form whether you'd like to explore scholarship opportunities.
Thank you to our supporters and collaborators
Female Founders Forum: Cohort 2 begins in March 2025
Strictly limited to 15 places.
$1,500 investment. Scholarships available.
