International Women's Day 2026 - From Equality to Leadership

International Women’s Day Lunch and Learn
If you are delivering consistently but feel your contribution isn’t always visible, this session is for you.
Many women in the industry are highly capable, dependable, and trusted - yet still find progression slower, leadership opportunities harder to access, and confidence tested under pressure.
This Lunch and Learn explores what truly supports leadership progression in practice - not through motivational talk, but through practical tools and real experience.
Delivered in collaboration with Women in Construction - The Power Within HER, the session focuses on how women can strengthen leadership presence, confidence, and decision-making in demanding professional environments.

What this session will help you do
This is about up-levelling your leadership in ways that translate directly into how you show up at work. We will focus on how to:
∙    Build leadership confidence without waiting until you 'feel ready'
∙    Strengthen your influence and presence in meetings, with clients, and in challenging conversations
∙    Improve decision-making and resilience under pressure, without burning out
∙    Communicate with greater clarity and authority when you are being tested or overlooked
∙    Move from high performer to visible leader, with intentional development rather than hope

Session format
∙    30-minute presentation: Introduction to Motivational Intelligence (MQ) and how it supports leadership performance, confidence, and resilience in real working environments
∙    Panel discussion: Honest conversation about women’s leadership progression, the barriers we continue to encounter, and what genuinely helps
∙    Live Q&A: Practical questions, practical answers

Who should attend
CICES members and non members who want to progress, step into leadership opportunities, or strengthen their leadership capability - whether you are early-career, mid-level, returning after time out, or already leading and ready to level up.

Speakers
∙    Nicky Thackray, Director, The Power Within HER
Nicky supports women striving for leadership progression, drawing on experience across corporate operations, client relations, and entrepreneurship. Her work focuses on practical empowerment, motivation, and resilience that leads to action.
∙    Michaela Wain, BBC The Apprentice finalist (2017) and Managing Director of Women in Construction. Entrepreneur in construction and marketing, leading Design and Build UK and initiatives including the Women in Construction Awards and community programme.
∙    Genna Rourke, Vice President, CICES, and Chair, CICES Women’s Network (WICES)
Genna is focused on increasing progression and visibility for women across the profession, creating practical support that helps members build leadership behaviours, confidence, and career momentum.

To book your place: 

Eventbrite Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-up-level-your-leadership-development-and-skills-tickets-1981572491665

All welcome.