WE Lead Food

The WE Lead Food Programme is designed to equip you with the tools to make that difference and achieve results. The network is open to all discipline backgrounds; research, business, policy, civil society members. The WE Lead Food Programme will continue to be offered online, as it started to happen in 2020 and has been designed specifically to ensure a high level of interactions, spontaneity and dynamism to build the network and opportunities for collaboration.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all places have been filled.

A recent report by McKinsey entitled ‘Women in Food’ has highlighted that while the food sector employs around 49% of women at entry levels, in the upper levels these numbers drop to as low as 9%. The reasons are many and complex, but some key ones identified in the report and through the work of the WE Lead partners are:

1. Less women than men feel that entrepreneurial leadership is for them
2. Lack of manager support
3. Lack of significant systemic commitment to gender and diversity matters within organisations
4. Explicit and implicit signalling about privileged leadership stereotypes
5. Ineffective, or worse, undermining communications about gender matters

WE Lead will be addressing all of these issues during the programme and equiping participants with insights and tools to navigate exiting and future food organisations as well as drive change within them. This programme offers early and mid-career researchers and professionals women an opportunity to explore and develop both their entrepreneurial and leadership self, address systemic issues, define their vision for a more sustainable food system, and devise a plan for the change each one wants to drive.

For the full report please visit here.

Smash glass ceilings. Take the leap and let’s soar together.

We are grateful to all our esteemed mentors and contributors. Hear from Severine Balick, Food and Agritech VC and WE Lead Food Programme Mentor 2019.

When we look at the number of women entrepreneurs that receive funding in Europe, it's still less than 6-7%
Severine Balick, Food and Agtech VC

Join WE Lead Food and work with other women in the Food sector like:

Looking back at the WE Lead Food Programme 2020. 99% of participants said they would recommend it to a friend.

For any questions or help while completing your application, contact us via email: weleadfood.community@outlook.com