PURPOSE:
The Midwife Leaders Executive Sponsorship Programme is a leadership initiative designed to enhance the progression, visibility, and influence of midwifery professionals across healthcare systems. Recognising the role midwives play in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, the programme provides a pathway to access executive-level sponsorship and development opportunities. Sponsorship involves leaders voluntarily offering their time and expertise and is undertaken without financial compensation. This 24-month programme pairs executive midwife leaders (sponsors) with emerging leaders (sponsees). Sponsors meet with sponsees bi-monthly to provide guidance and support.

DISCUSSION:
Unlike traditional mentorship models, executive sponsorship actively connects midwife leaders with senior decision-makers who advocate for their advancement, open doors to leadership opportunities, and amplify their impact within organisational and national healthcare agendas. The programme is grounded in principles of equity, inclusion, and compassionate leadership.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The programme includes ongoing evaluation to ensure its relevance, quality, and impact. Feedback from both sponsors and sponsees will be used to refine programme content, improve support mechanisms, and ensure alignment with ICM’s broader leadership development priorities. Evaluation will consider the process, progress, and outcomes associated with each sponsee’s development plan as well as the overall effectiveness of the sponsorship model.

KEY MESSAGE:
This programme supports participants to engage in leadership development, strategic networking, and action-oriented learning to lead with confidence. Through tailored sponsorship, executive coaching, and exposure to system leadership, it empowers midwives to influence policy, drive innovation, and champion safer, more equitable care. The Programme responds to the need for resilient and diverse leadership within healthcare. By investing in midwifery talent and supporting leadership pipelines, it contributes to workforce retention and organisational effectiveness. It aims to cultivate influential midwife leaders capable of shaping maternity care at local, regional, and national levels. Ultimately, the programme reflects a strategic commitment to recognising midwifery leadership as essential to healthcare transformation, ensuring midwives are leading decision-making. Poster session 3 (Group B)