WiL alumni gathering in 2025: sustaining the momentum

A significant gathering of the Higher Education Leadership and Management’s (HELM’s) Women in Leadership (WiL) alumni is set for early 2025, and is envisioned as the first of a series of events that will grow in both size and influence. Hopefully involving all 166 graduates, the reunion is intended to celebrate the achievements of five successive cohorts of women leaders who completed the programme in the past five years since 2020. The alumni gatherings are central to WiL’s long-term vision.

Aimed to occur on an ongoing basis going forward, these will not be mere reunions but rather strategic opportunities designed to maintain and enhance the network of women leaders cultivated through WiL. They serve several vital functions: providing a platform for alumni to share experiences, discuss challenges, and strategise solutions, thereby reinforcing the skills and confidence participants gained during the formal programme. The sustained connections forged through these gatherings are invaluable, as they allow participants to continue learning from one another, navigating the complexities of their leadership roles with the support of a like-minded community.

Furthermore, alumni gatherings serve as fertile ground for the exchange of knowledge and ideas across institutions and disciplines, an essential practice in a sector as heterogeneous as higher education. Women in leadership positions frequently encounter similar obstacles, including navigating institutional power dynamics, advocating for equitable policies, and managing the dual burdens of professional and personal responsibilities. By exchanging best practices and innovative approaches, alumni can collectively develop solutions that address these challenges, thereby driving systemic progress within their respective institutions and across the higher education sector as a whole.

A key component of the alumni network is mentorship. Experienced alumni are encouraged to mentor newer members, creating a continuous cycle of learning and development that enriches the entire network. This mentorship model is crucial for cultivating the next generation of women leaders who will carry forward the transformative agenda of gender equity in higher education. Through these informal mentor-mentee relationships, newer alumni receive tailored guidance, gaining the insights necessary to surmount barriers and thrive in their leadership roles.

The collective power of the alumni network also enhances the capacity of women leaders to influence systemic change within the higher education sector. By uniting, these leaders are better positioned to advocate for transformative shifts—from institutional policy reform to cultural change—that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their collective voice carries greater weight than that of any individual, and this unified action amplifies their ability to push for meaningful, sustainable change.

Visibility is another critical outcome of the WiL alumni gatherings. As the network expands, it serves as a visible testament to women’s leadership within higher education, challenging prevailing norms and inspiring other women to pursue leadership positions.

This visibility is vital not only for those within the sector but also for young women and girls who aspire to academic careers. The presence of women in prominent leadership roles communicates unequivocally that such positions are attainable, fostering aspirations and challenging the barriers that have traditionally restricted women’s advancement in academia.

WiL’s ultimate vision transcends individual empowerment; it aspires to build an enduring movement that fosters systemic change throughout the higher education sector. The WiL alumni have already instigated notable shifts, such as advocating for gender-responsive policies within their institutions and spearheading initiatives that foster inclusive work environments. By continually expanding and fortifying this alumni network, WiL ensures that the pursuit of an equitable higher education landscape remains relentless and sustained. The programme’s impact extends well beyond its participants, influencing institutional policies, reshaping practices, and nurturing an inclusive culture. In this way, WiL is contributing to a fundamental reimagining of the leadership landscape in South African higher education, one that is genuinely inclusive and representative of the diverse talent within the sector.

As the 2025 (fifth) cohort of the WiL programme reaches its conclusion, it is evident that this journey is far from complete. Seeds of transformation have been planted, and through ongoing alumni engagement and sustained support, these seeds will continue to flourish—nurturing an environment where women’s leadership is not the exception but the norm.

Patrick Fish is a Communication Consultant for the HELM programme.