Explore the heart of our commitment for female empowerment
Lead with Her is a structured, high-level mentorship programme designed to empower young women across Europe to grow as leaders in activism, policy, civil society, and public life.
Despite increased attention to gender equality, many young women still face structural and informal barriers when accessing leadership opportunities, professional networks, and spaces of influence. Mentorship can play a decisive role in navigating these challenges, when it is intentional, transparent, and grounded in mutual commitment.
Lead with Her was created in response to this need. The programme offers a shared-ownership mentorship model, where 14 mentors and 18 mentees enter the relationship with clarity, purpose, and equal responsibility. Mentorship is approached as a collaborative process built on dialogue, trust, and active engagement from both sides.
Aligned with feminist values of solidarity, accountability, and community-building, Lead with Her is designed as a thoughtful and ambitious space in which young women can grow (as professionals, as activists and as individuals) while contributing to a wider network of women supporting one another.
How does it work?
The programme aims to:
- Support young women in strengthening leadership skills, confidence, and agency
- Facilitate meaningful and reciprocal mentor–mentee relationships
- Build lasting intergenerational networks of women leaders
- Promote values-based, inclusive leadership across professional sectors
- Develop a sustainable and replicable mentorship model
Through these objectives, LeadWithHer contributes to the long-term empowerment of women in public life, civil society, and professional leadership. The programme pairs 18 selected young women (mentees) aged 18–29 with 14 experienced women professionals (mentors) from diverse sectors including EU policy, advocacy, communications, governance, and international organisations, companies. Each mentor works with one–two mentees, ensuring both personalised guidance and peer exchange within small, trusted circles.
The programme combines structured learning, personalised mentorship, and community building through a carefully balanced hybrid format
Activities
The programme combines structured learning, personalised mentorship, and community building through a carefully balanced hybrid format. Through this integrated structure, LeadWithHer combines high-level mentorship, practical learning, and strong community building to create a transformative leadership experience for young women across Europe.
Events
Three flagship in-person events will take place at The Nine, offering participants the opportunity to connect in a feminist, women-led, welcoming, inspiring, and professionally enriching environment.
Welcome event 26th May 2026 from 19.00 to 22.00
Summer gathering 15th July 2026 from 18.00
Closing event 17th November 2026 from 18.30
Two online collective events are organised for all mentors and mentees.
One-to-One Mentorship Sessions
Personalised mentorship lies at the heart of the programme. Mentors and mentees engage in regular one-to-one sessions (minimum 3), creating a dedicated space for reflection, guidance, and strategic growth. The format, frequency, and focus of these meetings are jointly defined by each pair, ensuring a tailored approach that responds to evolving personal and professional priorities. Sessions can take place in-person or online, but presence is highly encouraged.
To further enrich the experience, The Nine offers exclusive benefits to mentees, including: access to the clubhouse as guests (5 mins from European Commission), special meal deals, 10% discount at The Nine restaurant. These benefits complement the mentoring process by facilitating networking and professional exposure in high-quality settings.
Community
A dedicated LinkedIn group brings together all mentors and mentees, as space for informal exchanges, peer support, and collaboration. Mentors and mentees can use the group for sharing of opportunities, resources, and relevant events.
This digital community strengthens relationships and fosters solidarity throughout the programme.
Apply now as a mentee!
Are you a young woman* ready to strengthen your leadership skills, expand your professional horizons, and become part of a powerful European network of women leaders? EDUXO and The Nine are proud to launch the Call for Mentees for the LeadWithHer Mentorship Programme 2026.
- Launch of the Call: 25 March 2026
- Application Period: 25 March – 24 April 2026
- Selection Results: By the end of April 2026
- Programme Duration: May – November 2026
Who Can Apply?
We are selecting 18 motivated young women (aged 18–30 who are committed to personal growth, leadership development, and active engagement in European civic, professional, and policy spaces. We are looking for applicants who are:
- Curious, ambitious, and values-driven
- Interested in leadership, advocacy, civil society, policy, or related fields
- Willing to engage actively throughout the programme
- Open to learning, reflection, and community building
Application Process
Applicants will be invited to complete an online application form including:
- Motivation-based questions
- A reflection on personal and professional goals
- Expectations from the mentorship programme
- Learning objectives and areas for development
The selection process prioritises commitment, alignment with programme values, and growth potential. The mentees will be required to pay the EDUXO – European Network for Democracy and Equality membership fee (50€) which will open access also to all other opportunities. More info here. Members of the EDUXO community will be given priority consideration during the selection process for the programme.
What You Will Gain
As a mentee, you will benefit from:
- Personalised guidance from women leaders
- Access to high-level European networks
- Leadership and confidence-building tools
- Professional development opportunities
- A strong, supportive peer community
- Participation in exclusive in-person and online events
The Mentors
At the heart of the LeadWithHer Mentorship Programme are the outstanding women mentors recruited and engaged by The Nine. These mentors are accomplished professionals, leaders, and changemakers who bring extensive experience, insight, and commitment to supporting the next generation of women leaders.
Role of the mentors
Mentors play a central role in shaping the quality and impact of the programme. They are actively involved in providing personalised guidance and strategic advice, supporting mentees in defining and achieving their goals, encouraging confidence and ethical leadership, opening access to professional networks and opportunities, acting as role-models. Each mentor works closely with two mentees, allowing for meaningful, long-term relationships built on trust.
Selection and quality standards
All mentors are carefully selected by The Nine through a rigorous recruitment and engagement process, ensuring proven leadership experience, strong alignment with programme values, high ethical and professional standards, commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practices.
Who are the mentors?
The LeadWithHer mentors are nine women professionals selected for their expertise, leadership track record, and dedication to women’s empowerment. They come from diverse sectors, including: EU institutions, international organisations, civil society and NGO, media, business and social innovation, diplomacy. This diversity ensures that mentees are exposed to multiple career pathways.
Georgia Mourad Brooks
She is the Founder of The Nine and Managing Director of the Fempower Initiative. Based in Brussels, she is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Originally British-Canadian-Lebanese, she grew up between the U.K., Canada, and Egypt. She holds degrees from University College London and the University of Warwick, and speaks English, French, Italian, and Egyptian Arabic, with working knowledge of Flemish.
Lorea Claude
Principal & Founder of CL4Change. She is a recognised expert in sustainable transition for hard-to-abate industries, she has shaped decarbonisation pathways and driven collective action within major industry associations at both sectoral and systemic levels. She works as an independent advisor and executive coach, supporting organisations and leaders in navigating change. She also serves as Strategic Advisor at the Global CCS Institute and the GCCA, and as a Member of the External Advisory Boards of LEILAC and DETOCS.
Atty Cheïma Zaïzouni
She is specialised in EU digital policy. As Founder of Bayan Law Firm, she supports organisations in navigating complex EU legislative frameworks, with a focus on digital, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. Her experience spans leading law firms and organisations, including roles at Délégation des Barreaux de France and Strelia, as well as consulting at Athenora. She combines strong legal expertise with strategic advocacy to help clients anticipate and shape EU policy.
Romina Longo
She is a multilingual Talent & HR Consultant with +20 years of experience across banking, consulting, and complex corporate environments. As Founder of Youphoria, she supports organisations in building high-impact teams, strengthening talent acquisition strategies, and aligning people decisions with business priorities. She is particularly focused on how AI, digital HR, and new ways of working are reshaping the future of talent. Romina has held senior roles across organisations including ING Belgium, EY, and Grant Thornton Belgium, bringing a pragmatic, results-driven approach to talent and workforce transformation.
Paola Bermeo
She is a claims professional specialising in complex financial lines at AIG, with over 10 years of experience in insurance and claims management. She combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, solution-oriented approach, advising on complex cases and coordinating with international stakeholders. Alongside her professional role, Paola is actively engaged in human rights advocacy as a legal coordinator and board member at Amnesty International Belgique Francophone, contributing to legal work, training, and awareness-raising initiatives.
Dr Madeleine de Hauke, MD
She is an executive coach and leadership expert helping leaders and teams overcome bottlenecks and achieve ambitious goals. After +20 years of experience in the life sciences sector, she founded Business4Good, where she delivers leadership development programmes, team synergy sessions, and strategic off-sites, combining coaching, training, and facilitation to drive lasting change. A medical doctor by background, she brings a structured, diagnosis-driven approach to leadership challenges, enabling organisations to save time, reduce friction, and focus on strategy and impact.
Olga Simonova
She is a leadership coach and facilitator supporting leaders and teams in strengthening leadership, team effectiveness, and organisational culture. She is the Founder of Made Human. She brings +7 years of experience leading and developing teams, alongside a strong corporate background in retail and product organisations, including senior leadership roles at Levi Strauss & Co. and earlier experience at Inditex. She is actively engaged in mentorship and inclusion initiatives, including mentoring refugee women with Tent Partnership for Refugees and contributing as a council member to internal DEI groups, supporting more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Christine Reinders
She is a senior Brussels-based marketing, communications, and inclusion leader with +20 years of experience helping organisations grow purpose-driven brands and build inclusive workplace cultures. She combines corporate leadership expertise with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging, positioning inclusion as both a people priority and a business driver. She serves as Head of Marketing Consulting Benelux & France at NTT DATA. Previously, Christine spent over a decade at KPMG Belgium and AG Insurance in progressively senior marketing and communications roles. Christine is the founder of European Asian Network, a platform empowering Asian women to break the “bamboo ceiling” in Europe through visibility, community-building, and leadership development. She has also been active with The Brussels Binder and The Nine.
Isabella Sofia De Gregorio
She is the Founder of Eduxo.eu and President since 2020. Based in Brussels, she is a lesbian and feminist non-profit leader and activist. Originally Italian and Chilean, she works at the intersection of democracy, gender equality, SRHR, and civic participation. With over six years of experience in civil society, she has led international communications, advocacy, and events. She studied Diplomatic and International Affairs and speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
Atty Marie Barani
Intellectual Property, Data Protection & Health Lawyer at A&O Shearman. Marie has experience in intellectual property transactions across the entire innovation cycle, from research and development to the commercialisation of intellectual property. Her expertise includes patent, trade secret, and software licensing, as well as software assignment and patent litigation. She has specific knowledge of competition law and data protection requirements.
Olga Naert
Founder of Aretéa Life & Leadership Coaching, a coaching space for women leaders, entrepreneurs, and ambitious professionals. She helps clients transform emotional pressure into strength, enabling them to lead with calm, confidence, and balance. With a background in sustainability consulting and strategy at EY, McKinsey & Company, and Volvo Trucks, she combines business expertise with coaching to support professionals navigating complex careers and transitions.
Maya Doneva
She is a political advisor and expert in social innovation, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, with a strong focus on strategic decision-making, change management, and civil society. She has held senior leadership roles, including Secretary General of EASPD, and Executive Director of Karin Dom. With extensive international experience across more than 35 countries, Maya has worked on human rights, youth empowerment, and innovative service models. She is the founder of The Social Teahouse. She serves as Coordinator at the European Women’s Lobby, continuing to drive advocacy, partnerships, and systemic change at European level.
Sabine Seggelke
She is a senior public affairs professional with extensive experience across highly regulated industries, including food, nutrition, biotechnology, and financial services. As Head of Public Affairs EMEA at Zurich Insurance, she leads EU advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and integrated communication strategies on key issues such as ESG, digitalisation, and the future of work. With a strong background in global advocacy campaigns, issue and crisis management, she brings a strategic and diplomatic approach to influencing policy and supporting senior leadership decision-making. Sabine holds a PhD in Political Science and is a strong advocate of inclusive, coaching-oriented leadership.
Florentina Dumitru
A senior professional in strategic communication and public diplomacy, she currently serves as Executive Director of the European Economic Security Center (ECESTR) and Aspen Brussels Hub Coordinator at Aspen Institute International Partners. With over six years at the European External Action Service (EEAS), she led work on communication policy, public diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement at EU level. Her background spans international organisations and the private sector, including roles at Aspen Institute Romania and GSK, PwC, combining strategic planning, communications, and policy expertise to support complex, international environments.
Kristin de Peyron
A highly experienced EU official, she serves as Director-General for Resource Management at the EEAS, overseeing budget, human resources, and organisational strategy at the EU’s diplomatic service. With over 15 years at the EEAS, she has held multiple senior leadership roles, including Director of Budget and HR, HR Director, and Head of Division across key areas such as EU-Africa relations, multilateral affairs, and HR policy. Previously, she held policy roles at the European Commission, working on EU–UN relations and contributing to the Secretariat of the European Convention on the Future of Europe. She began her career in diplomacy with the Government Offices of Sweden and the Swedish Embassy in Paris.
Organisers and Contacts
EDUXO.EU – European Network for Democracy and Equality ASBL (non profit organisation) and The Nine are partners in the organisation of this programme.
For any questions related to the programme, please contact us exclusively at leadwithher@eduxo.eu.
Kindly refrain from using other official email addresses you may find online, as inquiries sent elsewhere may not be processed.
