Women into Leadership Online

Thursday 17th July 2025 | Online | in partnership with the FDA

Now in its 14th year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as the key events for all those interested in seeing leadership opportunities for women enhanced. Women into Leadership 2025 will examine how female leaders, at any grade, can enhance their skills to become the leader they aspire to be.

This year's conferences will draw on feedback from previous Women into Leadership events, as well as discussions that took place at this years’ planning meeting. The conferences will offer hands-on advice and coaching on how to further develop your career in times of change. You will hear from inspirational women of all grades and levels, within and outside the Civil Service. You’ll discuss together how you can manage the challenges of modern leadership and help ensure the Civil Service doesn’t lose momentum in recognising and rewarding female leaders.

The benefits of attending Women into Leadership:

• Take part online - from anywhere you choose
• Examine the barriers currently facing female leaders (and future leaders) in the Civil Service and hear how to overcome them
• Hear from a diverse range of Senior Civil Servants, as well as inspirational leaders from outside of the Civil Service
• Gain a deeper understanding of the skills, qualities and attributes needed to be a successful leader
• Design your own breakout session schedule, based on your own needs and aspirations
• Learn how to be an effective leader

09:15

Chair's welcome and Introduction

CHAIR: Leila Kelly, Vice President, FDA

09:30

Permanent Secretary Opening Address

Leading with courage: fostering inclusivity & inspiring positive change 

Katie Pettifer, Chief Executive, Food Standards Agency

10:00

Transition to breakout sessions

10:15

Breakout session A

Introversion in Leadership: unleashing your quiet power

Dina Rana, Executive Coach and Senior Marketing Leader, Dina Rana Consulting

10:15

Breakout session B

Calm and Confident: overcoming performance anxiety for Effective Public Speaking

SPEAKER: Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

10:15

Breakout session C

Prepare for your next role: are you ready for a promotion?

SPEAKER: Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant; Former Senior Civil Servant

11:45

Morning Plenary Address

Finding your authentic self: purpose, passion and value-led leadership 

Leila Pilgrim, Secretary to The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
Susan Dawson, Commercial Director, Department for Education

12:30

Breakout session D

Managing Employee Wellbeing for Managers

12:30

Breakout session E

Communicating for results: how to negotiate with confidence

​​​​​​​SPEAKER:​​​​​​​ Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

12:30

Breakout session F

Writing to impress: an interactive masterclass on selection and promotion

​​​​​​​SPEAKER:​​​​​​​Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant; Former Senior Civil Servant

13:30

Lunch

14:30

Afternoon Plenary Address

From uncertainty to certainty: Knowing your worth and asserting your presence

​​​​​​​SPEAKER:​​​​​​​ Zoe Sweet, Divisional Director Organisational Effectiveness, People Group, Ministry of Justice

15:10

Closing address:

Pushing forward: embracing change and confronting failure

Jaspreet Kaur, Writer, Poet, and Teacher, Behind the Netra

15:50

Chair's closing remarks

CHAIR: Leila Kelly, Vice President, FDA