Egyptian Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Program

CAIRO, 31 May 2024: The graduation of the Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme (WIGLFP) was held last week on Tuesday May 21st via Google Meet, featuring outstanding performances by exceptional women from around the world, supported by their line managers. Participants delivered presentations to showcase their learnings and experiences from the program.

 This opportunity positions the Egyptian women at the forefront of the golf field, bringing new ideas and perspectives and demonstrating their capacity for tremendous leadership success. This event also underscores the Egyptian organizations' commitment to feminism, gender equality, and diversity in every work sector.

From the Egyptian experience of Miss Yara Abdelnasser, we state the following:

The event began with an opening speech by Mrs. Jackie Davidson, the Golf Development Director at The R&A. She highlighted The R&A's role in supporting women in golf and creating new opportunities for them in leadership positions. Her speech emphasized the importance of female engagement in golf and the organization's efforts to showcase women's strong potential.

The Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme, developed by The R&A, aims to empower women in the golf industry by providing them with leadership skills. The R&A, a prestigious organization governing the Rules of Golf and organizing major championships, is dedicated to the global development of the sport. This program aims to advance women's golf careers by offering a unique educational and social experience.

The programme spans seven months, from November 2023 to May 2024, with one session held each month. Its foundation begins with defining the core principles of leadership for each participant. The first step in this "Leadership Pyramid" involves developing a growth mindset, which includes understanding and enhancing one's emotional intelligence (EQ). This awareness drives personal success by improving communication skills and gradually building a powerful leader.

Coaching sessions are a key component of the program. Each woman receives personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions, providing a tailored experience that fosters personal growth. “My two coaching sessions with Rebecca Hembrough were particularly fruitful, helping me organize my thoughts through insightful questions that opened my mind to new ideas and perspectives, thereby enhancing my mindset and facilitating gradual growth.”, said Miss Yara

She added: “This experience taught me to assert my voice in discussions, speak up as a leader should, both for myself and others. I learned about myself and identified changes needed to become a better version of who I aspire to be. The program focuses on personal empowerment through increased mental health awareness, emphasizing that we are not alone in our experiences. It encourages self-reflection on our current feelings and teaches us to manage and articulate them effectively.”

The knowledge gained from this program positively impacts one's career, driving success. Improved communication skills benefit both personal and professional life, with each step representing progress in the journey of becoming a leader.

Finally, she stated in her presentation on WIGLFP graduation day, “The first step to becoming a leader is to lead yourself first to success by pursuing your goals and dreams before leading others. Overcome your limits to become the person you aspire to be.”