Ascent Leadership Programme
You’ve worked too hard to feel this uncertain.
You’ve earned your leadership role. You’ve proven yourself again and again. But somewhere between the promotion and the reality, the doubts crept in.
Am I good enough for this?
Do I really belong here?
What if they realise I’m making this up as I go?
Whether you’re navigating corporate corridors as one of the few women in the room, or building your own business wondering if you’re allowed to want more—you know the weight of leading without a blueprint. The exhaustion of translating your worth into language others will accept. The loneliness of figuring it out alone.
You’re not broken. The system is.
And you don’t have to navigate it by yourself anymore.
What if you had the map—and the community—you’ve been missing?
The Ascent Programme is a 6-month leadership development experience designed specifically for ambitious, capable mid-career women who are ready to move beyond survival mode and into strategic, confident leadership.
This isn’t another generic leadership course that ignores the realities you face. This is practical, evidence-based development that addresses the actual barriers holding women back -delivered by experts in women’s career progression, alongside peers who genuinely understand your challenges.
71% of participants in a comparable shape talent programme progressed their careers within 12 months.
You’ll Gain:
Clarity and confidence in your career direction.
Stop second-guessing every decision. Define your vision and the strategic path to get there – whether you’re aiming for C-suite or building a business on your terms.
The tools to navigate what’s actually holding you back.
Master the politics without losing yourself. Build authentic networks that create opportunities. Manage detractors and conflict as a leader. Find your voice and use it without apology.
A peer support system: the board you can’t afford.
Connect with up to 40 ambitious women at your level. Work in small learning pods. Access a community that gets it—the doubt, the barriers, the ambition – and shows up for each other beyond the programme.
Sustainable strategies for career-life integration.
Stop sacrificing yourself to succeed. Learn to set boundaries, delegate effectively, and create the equilibrium that’s right for you – not what someone else prescribed.
Increased resilience and self-advocacy skills.
Deal with imposter syndrome. Get noticed by the right people. Influence senior stakeholders. Raise your profile and secure sponsorship for your next move.
Evidence-based frameworks you can use immediately.
Built on Shape Talent’s proven Three Barriers® methodology, every workshop delivers practical tools and strategies grounded in research on what actually accelerates women’s careers.
What you’ll experience over 6 months:
Programme structure:
- 10 interactive workshops (2 hours each) covering: career vision, finding your authentic voice, navigating politics, building strategic networks, profile and sponsorship, managing imposter syndrome, handling detractors and conflict, work-life integration, and action planning.
- Small group learning pods for deeper connection and peer support.
- 1:1 goal-setting session (30 minutes) to clarify your objectives.
- Digital workbook and resources covering key frameworks and self-directed activities.
- Ongoing community access for continued support and connection.
Delivery:
- Fully virtual – participate from anywhere.
- Sessions run every 2-3 weeks to fit around your commitments (cadence agreed with participants at programme start).
- Mix of facilitated learning, small group discussion, and reflective practice.
- Starting late April 2026.
Facilitation:
Delivered by Shape Talent’s expert team who specialise in accelerating gender equality and women’s leadership development.
Is this programme right for you?
You’re the right fit if you:
- Are in a middle management or leadership role (not first-time manager, not yet C-suite) or running your own established business or consultancy.
- Have 8-15+ years of professional experience and are looking to accelerate into senior leadership.
- Are ambitious and capable but haven’t had access to structured leadership development support at this stage of your career.
- Feel ready to invest in yourself and commit to 6 months of transformational growth.
- Want to connect with peers facing similar challenges across corporate and entrepreneurial environments.
- Are located in the UK, US, or UAE and can participate in virtual sessions.
Investment & Early Registration Benefits
Pricing:
- Standard rate: £1,500 ($2,050 USD) per participant
- Quorum member rate: £1,200 ($1,650 USD)
- Early Quorum member registration rate (first 15 places): £995 ($1,360 USD)
- Flexible payment plans available: Pay in 3 monthly installments of £340 / $465 USD (early rate) or £415 / $565 USD (member rate)
Limited Places Available:
- We’re creating an intimate, high-quality cohort of no more than 40 participants.
- Early registration deadline: Until first 15 places are filled OR 27 February 2026 – whichever happens first
- Standard registration closes: 25 March 2026
- Programme starts: Late April 2026
The Value Proposition You Can’t Ignore
Want a coach but can’t afford one?
Professional coaching costs £200-400 per hour ($300-$600 USD) per hour. Ascent gives you 20 hours of expert facilitation, 1:1 coaching, peer learning pods, and a strategic network – for less than the cost of 5 coaching sessions.
Ever wondered what happens on leadership accelerator programmes?
These programmes are usually reserved for high-potentials in global corporations. Ascent gives you the same evidence-based frameworks, expert facilitation, and transformational experience—without needing your organisation to nominate you. This is your insider access.
Not a Quorum member yet?
Join now and immediately access £300 / $400 USD off the Ascent programme (£1,200 vs £1,500 standard / $1,650 USD vs $2,050 USD), plus ongoing connection to a global network of executive women. Your membership investment pays for itself with this programme alone.
Corporate Sponsorship Available
If you’re interested in requesting sponsorship from your employer, we can provide supporting materials including business case templates and programme ROI information. Many participants successfully secure funding through professional development budgets, diversity & inclusion initiatives, or talent retention programmes.
Hear from Women Who’ve Experienced Shape Talent Programmes
Testimonials from previous Shape Talent leadership development programmes
“Honestly, this is the best program I’ve ever attended. It is engaging, and I feel that you really get the support and resources you need to be able to really take it to heart.”
“The programme has given me a change in mindset, I used to think that my work would speak for itself, now I see things differently, I look for the opportunities to demonstrate my value and I’m finding it fun and it gives me energy.”
“This programme is a game changer for your own development if you embrace it. Highly recommended.”
“This programme has been the most exciting, fun and beneficial learning journey I’ve ever had. The content finally solidifies the issues that females face in the workplace in a way that makes you realise you are not alone, and then gives direction on how to overcome. And the circle of contacts that I met will stay as very close and loved friends forever. Shape Talent did an amazing job setting up this program, Thank you Sharon and team!”
“It was a very well-rounded learning experience. We come out of the program not just with tools to manage our career and being a better professional but also a support group of leaders and my female peers with whom we can be completely transparent with. Every session has taught me something new. I think it was fantastic and I highly recommend it.”
Reserve Your Place—Simple Next Steps
We want to ensure this programme is the right fit for you and that you’ll get maximum value from the experience.
Here’s how it works:
- Register your interest
Complete a brief form (5 minutes) sharing your background and what you’re hoping to gain from the programme. - Secure your place
If it’s the right fit, you’ll receive a registration link to secure your place with early registration pricing (if still available).
This isn’t about proving you’re “good enough” – you already are. It’s about ensuring you’ll gain what you need from this specific programme at this moment in your career.
Early registration rate for Quorum Members (£995 / $1,360 USD) available for first 15 registrations.
Questions?
For individual participants:
If you’d like to discuss whether this programme is right for you, or have questions about the registration process, please email contact@quoruminitiative.com or book a brief call with our team.
For organisations interested in sponsoring participants:
If you’re interested in sponsoring 2-4 of your high-potential women to participate, we’d love to discuss how this aligns with your talent development and DEI objectives.
Current corporate partners receive:
- Priority registration for sponsored participants
- Partnership recognition in programme materials
Contact diane@thequoruminitiative.com
For HR/L&D/DEI professionals:
Want to experience what your women leaders would gain from Shape Talent programmes? Join Ascent yourself and see firsthand the frameworks, facilitation quality, and transformation that makes this approach so effective. Then bring it to your organisation.
About the Partnership
The Quorum Initiative is a professional network for executive women focused on leadership development and social change. Through chapter meetings, events, and development programmes, Quorum creates connections and opportunities for senior women to grow, lead, and drive impact.
Shape Talent specialises in accelerating gender equality in organisations through evidence-based development programmes, coaching, and consulting. Their work is grounded in the Three Barriers® framework—proven research on what holds women back and what strategies actually work.
Together, we’re launching Ascent to provide the strategic support ambitious mid-career women need—and often don’t receive—to step confidently into senior leadership.
Founding Cohort Advantages
As a founding cohort member, you’ll help shape the future of this programme. Your experience and feedback will directly influence how Ascent evolves to serve ambitious women even better.
Founding cohort benefits include:
- Preferential pricing locked in for any future advanced programmes
- Lifetime access to Ascent alumni community and events
- Opportunity to contribute to programme evolution through feedback sessions
- Recognition as a founding cohort member in the growing Ascent network
You’ve spent years investing in everyone else. It’s time to invest in yourself.
Don’t wait until you feel “ready enough” or until the timing is “perfect.” That moment doesn’t come. The women who transform their careers are the ones who decide they’re worth the investment—right now, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Early registration rate for Quorum members (£995 / $1,360 USD) expires 27 February 2026.
