Breakthrough Leaders is a strategic investment in Aotearoa’s leadership future.
To develop leaders with strategic clarity, cultural intelligence, and the courage to transform the systems shaping Aotearoa’s future.
Created to meet a national need: a place where experienced leaders could expand their worldview, deepen cultural competence, and form powerful cross-sector relationships.
Breakthrough Leaders has always held a simple belief: when leaders grow with intention, the whole nation benefits.
Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions before submitting your application.
If you have further questions, contact us.
The Breakthrough Leaders programme takes place from March until November each year. Each year, up to 30 participants immersive themselves in five multi-day retreats across the 10 months. Alongside this, they are supported with trilateral meetings, executive coaching, and alumnae mentoring.
We welcome each participant with an in-depth welcome pack, which details the journey you are about to undertake.
The first step is to complete your GELM 360 Assessment. This world-renowned assessment tool will provide the foundation for your individual journey.
We then take you through your first of three trilateral meetings. The trilateral meetings involve you, your executive sponsor, and Global Women. Together, we shape your goals and Executive Coaching plan for the programme.
Along with your three trilaterals, you also have three Executive Coaching sessions.
Each participant is matched with a Breakthrough Leaders alumnae mentor. As a participant, you will meet with your mentor between the retreats.
The retreats make up the bulk of the programme. Each retreat is between 2-5 days, and they cover the content of the programme. On your final retreat, we host a graduation ceremony to commemorate your journey on the programme. We offer an invite to your Executive Sponsors, whanau, friends, or anyone else who has stood by you throughout the programme.
Sponsors play an important support role in the participant’s journey, helping to integrate their experience to add value into the work environment. Sponsors need to be senior employees of their organisation. They could be a Chief Executive, Chair, or Founder.
Sponsors will need to fill out a secondary application form – the applicant will be prompted to forward this to their Sponsor.
We need your application, along with your Executive Sponsor form, by early Janurary 2026 for acceptance into the 2026 cohort.Sponsors will need to fill out a secondary application form – the applicant will be prompted to forward this to their Sponsor.
These outcomes are what you can expect to gain from the Breakthrough Leaders Programme.
- Self-awareness - Emotional intelligence - Resilience and wellbeing - Understanding personal leadership style - Ability to reflect, adapt, and learn - Values-led decision-making
- Building trusting relationships - Influencing, inspiring and motivating others - Managing conflict - Creating psychologically safe environments -Coaching and developing people -Communicating with clarity and impact
- Cultural competence and confidence - Understanding bias and inequity - Creating inclusive, equitable systems - Championing diversity - Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi Building belonging across difference
- Understanding complexity and system dynamics - Navigating uncertainty - Adaptive leadership - Strategic and future-focused thinking - Innovation and experimentation - Leading transformation and new ways of working
- Reading system power structures - Strategic influence across sectors - Stewardship mindset - Partnering for impact - Working across boundaries (public/private/community) - Contributing to Aotearoa’s long-term future
- Inner confidence anchored in identity and values - Embodied presence that inspires trust and credibility - Calm, steady leadership in high-pressure contexts - Clear, intentional communication and use of voice - Integrity, courage, and mana-enhancing behaviour - Acting with purpose in ways that uplift others
- Experience the strength of a diverse, values-aligned cohort - Learn with and from peers through shared insight and challenge - Build relationships that expand influence and perspective - Engage in constructive feedback and collective problem-solving - Leverage the network to extend leadership reach across sectors - Contribute to a community committed to mutual growth and impact
Participants were promoted to a more senior role after the Breakthrough Leaders Programme.
of participants reported an increase in ability influence change through their leadership.
Not including travel
The Tindall Foundation provides financial support to Māori and Pasifika applicants each year.
