There’s a moment many women in management experience that rarely gets talked about.
You've worked hard to get where you are. You've delivered results, built credibility, earned the trust of your colleagues, and finally stepped into management.
Then suddenly, everything changes.
You're no longer responsible just for your own performance. You're responsible for motivating a team, navigating difficult conversations, managing competing priorities, influencing stakeholders, delivering business results, and somehow finding time to develop yourself at the same time.
And often, you're expected to know how to do it all instinctively. No training manual. No leadership toolkit. No roadmap.
Just the assumption that because you're a high performer, you'll naturally be a great manager too.
For women working in the AV industry and other male-dominated technology sectors, these challenges can be even more pronounced.
Many find themselves as the only woman, or one of very few women, in leadership discussions. They may feel pressure to constantly prove themselves, question whether they belong at the table, or worry about striking the impossible balance between being confident enough to be heard without being labelled as "too much."
Alongside the day job, many are carrying invisible responsibilities too; mentoring others, supporting team wellbeing, maintaining culture, and providing emotional labour that often goes unnoticed, while also navigating barriers that can be harder to see, from unconscious bias to workplace cultures and policies that weren't designed with everyone in mind.
It's no wonder so many talented women find themselves asking:
Am I doing this right?
Why does everyone else seem to have it figured out?
What does the path to senior leadership actually look like?
The truth is that most people are figuring it out as they go. The difference is that some have access to the support, networks, mentors and development opportunities that help them grow faster and with greater confidence.
That's why Rise AV created Elevate.
Elevate isn't another generic leadership course. It's a six-week leadership development experience specifically designed for women already managing teams, stepping into leadership roles, or leading without having been given the tools and support they need to thrive.
The programme brings together women from across the AV ecosystem, including commercial AV, live events, production, residential AV, manufacturing, distribution and end-user organisations.
Whether you work in engineering, project management, sales, marketing, operations, HR, finance or events, the challenges of leadership are often remarkably similar.
Over six weeks, delegates develop practical leadership skills they can apply immediately in their day-to-day roles.
Together, we'll explore topics including:
Most importantly, delegates don't just learn theory. They work on real-world leadership challenges and apply what they're learning in real time.
One of the most powerful outcomes from the first Elevate cohort wasn't simply the leadership development.
It was the community.
Leadership can feel isolating. Management can feel lonely.
Many women told us that simply being in a room with other women facing similar challenges was transformative.
Knowing you're not the only one experiencing self-doubt.
Knowing you're not the only one navigating difficult conversations.
Knowing you're not the only one wondering what comes next.
Those connections often become one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
Because leadership isn't something we should have to figure out alone.
The Elevate programme made me feel like I was part of a community. It gave me a sense of belonging and helped me feel understood and seen, something that is not always the case in the AV industry, especially when you are often the only woman in the room.
~ Mariela Petkova , Senior AV Technician, The Royal College of Surgeons
Taking part in Rise AV Elevate has been more than I could have imagined. The support and guidance from the programme leads, Jedis, and fellow delegates created a space where it felt safe to learn, ask questions and grow. As a woman in a technical engineering role, meeting and learning from other women across the AV industry was incredibly valuable. I’m leaving not only with practical tools and useful feedback, but also a strong network that I’m really grateful to be part of!
~ Teresa Juncosa Umaran, Kado Audiovisual
It’s been such a privilege to be part of the incredible Rise AV Elevate Leadership Programme. The experience was transformative, insightful and energising. I felt inspired by each and every one of the outstanding women, Jedi’s and coaches that made it so special. There is so much I will take from this into both my personal and professional life and I feel challenged, empowered and passionate about what’s ahead. Rise AV and the training team created learning opportunities and a space where we could be open, curious, courageous and lift each other as we challenged ourselves. I would highly recommend this programme for any aspiring female leaders in the AV industry - don’t hesitate, it’s so much more than you can begin to imagine
~ Shreya Hyde-Smith, Ivista Ltd
A unique feature of Elevate is our "Jedi" model.
Each Active Learning Set is supported by an experienced AV industry leader who acts as a facilitator, coach and guide throughout the programme.
Rather than providing answers, our Jedis challenge thinking, encourage reflection, and help delegates develop their own solutions to real leadership challenges.
This year's Jedi team includes:
Together, they bring decades of leadership experience and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of women leaders in AV.
While Elevate is transformational for delegates, it also delivers measurable value for employers.
Organisations across the AV industry consistently tell us they are looking to build stronger leadership pipelines, improve retention, and develop diverse talent capable of stepping into senior positions.
Yet too often, talented women leave organisations because they don't see a pathway forward or don't receive the development opportunities they need to progress.
Investing in women leaders isn't simply the right thing to do. It's good business.
When organisations invest in leadership development, they benefit from:
The women participating in Elevate don't disappear from their roles for six weeks. They bring their learning back into their organisations immediately, applying new approaches, frameworks and skills to real business challenges.
The impact extends far beyond the individual delegate.
By the end of the programme, you'll have:
Most importantly, you'll have greater clarity about the leader you want to become and the confidence to take the next step.
Applications Close: 24 July
Programme Launch Call (Delegates & Mentors): 27 October
First In-Person Events: 4-5 November, 9:00am-5:00pm Shure Rose Centre, London
Active Learning Sessions: 5 November - 8 December Online, facilitated by your Jedi
Final In-Person Event: 9 December, 9:00am-5:00pm Neat London Experience Centre
Elevate is currently a UK-based programme because the in-person events form a fundamental part of the experience and community-building journey.
We warmly welcome applications from women outside the UK; however, delegates must attend all in-person sessions and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
If you're a woman in management within the AV industry who is ready to invest in your leadership journey, we'd love to hear from you.
And if you're an employer looking to develop and retain exceptional talent, now is the time to invest in the future leaders of our industry.
Thanks to the support of our industry sponsors, the Elevate Programme is heavily subsidised and offered at a fraction of its typical £3,000 value.
As the programme includes three in-person event days, we ask all applicants to ensure they have the support of their line manager before applying. Manager involvement is an important part of helping delegates maximise their development and apply their learning back into the business.
The programme operates on a first-come, first-served basis and there is only 35 places available. Don't leave your application until last minute!
For any questions, get in touch with Rachael - rachael@rise-av.com