Young women encouraged to pursue leadership careers

A new grant of DKK 4.4 million from the Danish Industry Foundation and the Tietgen Foundation will support the Female Leadership Academy in inspiring more young women to choose a leadership career.

Founded in 2020, the Female Leadership Academy aims to increase diversity in Danish business by nurturing and developing young women’s leadership potential. With the new funding, the initiative will expand its activities to Funen and Jutland.

Over the past five years, more than 10,000 young women have participated in leadership academies, workshops, and events in Copenhagen. Now, the program is set to reach the rest of the country.

A good gender balance in leadership leads to better results, more innovation, and a stronger competitive edge. However, progress remains slow. Unlike many other leadership programs, the Female Leadership Academy specifically targets young women who are still studying. This helps to motivate, inspire, and develop a leadership mindset even before their careers officially begin, and we want to extend this effort across the country, said Charlotte Kjeldsen Krarup, Development Director at the Danish Industry Foundation, in a press release.

In collaboration with universities such as Aalborg University (AAU), Aarhus University (AU), the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and local businesses, the Female Leadership Academy will provide young women outside Copenhagen with access to leadership programs, strong networks, and inspiring role models.

It is in society’s best interest to promote a better gender balance in leadership, which is why we are pleased to support the expansion of this successful concept. This will enable more women to strengthen their leadership skills during their studies and early in their careers,”said Christine Paludan-Müller, Grants Manager at the Tietgen Foundation.

Findings from the 2024 Female Leadership Student Academy show that after completing the program: