Best Company for Women's Leadership Advancement
Leadership representation, formal sponsorship, formal mentoring programmes and succession pathways for women.
Enter this categoryRise & Lead Awards · 2026
Recognising inclusive leadership, women’s advancement and meaningful impact
The 2026 Rise & Lead Awards celebrate organisations and individuals taking intentional, measurable action to advance women’s leadership, inclusion, workplace equity and social impact.
Entries open:15 May 2026Deadline:13 July 2026Finalists:3 August 2026Ceremony:10 September 2026
Why enter the Rise & Lead Awards?
Celebrate your people, publicly
Give formal recognition to the leaders, teams and initiatives inside your organisation who are driving real change. The Awards create a moment that matters for the people doing the work and for the culture they are building.
Know where you stand
The assessment gives you an honest picture of where your organisation is today, what the field looks like, and what it takes to lead in your industry. Whether you become a finalist or not, you leave with clarity.
Attract high-potential women to your organisation
Gain visibility among senior HR leaders, ambitious women leaders and business executives across Europe. The organisations on this stage become the organisations people want to work for.
2026 Award Categories
Four categories, each assessed by an independent jury.
Inclusive Culture Award
Parental support, wellbeing, belonging, flexible working and employee voice initiatives.
Enter this categorySocial Impact Award
Community programmes, external partnerships and measurable impact beyond your own workforce.
Enter this categoryPay Equity Award
Pay audits, gap transparency, justification governance and measurable progress in closing the gender pay gap.
Enter this categoryHow it works
- 1
Choose your category
Select from four award categories.
- 2
Complete the assessment
Answer 13 evidence-led questions.
- 3
Submit by 13 July 2026
Review and lock in your entry.
- 4
Await finalist announcement
Finalists revealed 3 August 2026.
About
Rise & Lead Women
Rise & Lead Women is an international leadership platform and foundation based in the Netherlands. Our mission is to increase the representation of women leaders from diverse backgrounds in the workplace, marketplace and wider society.
Learn more about Rise & Lead Women