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IIM Mumbai–NEF Executive Leadership Program with AI for Women
The IIM Mumbai–NEF Women’s Leadership Accelerator program with AI is a six-month hybrid executive leadership program for mid-career women professionals with seven or more years of experience. Co-designed and certified by IIM Mumbai and Natarajan Empowerment Foundation, the program combines IIM faculty-led learning, CXO mentoring, industry interactions, peer learning and immersive campus sessions.
Why This Matters to You?
- Personal mentorship from women CXOs who’ve walked your path
- IIM Mumbai faculty who understand the real challenges you face
- Industry Connect Sessions by Industry Leaders
- Join a cohort of women who get it – the juggle, the doubts, and the ambition
- Certified Executive Management Program by IIM Mumbai
IIM Mumbai Women’s Executive Leadership Program with AI Co-Designed by Indian Institute of Management Mumbai and Natarajan Empowerment Foundation (NEF) Only For Mid-Career Women
Duration: Six months
Format: Hybrid
Experience required: 7+ years
Cohort size: 30 participants
Next cohort: January 2027
Application deadline: 15 November 2026
Certification: IIM Mumbai
Location: Online sessions and IIM Mumbai campus immersions
What is the IIM Mumbai - NEF Women's Leadership Accelerator Program with AI about?
IIM Mumbai–NEF Women's Leadership Accelerator Program with AI is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed for mid-career women professionals who are ready to move from performance to leadership. Built on NEF’s mission of empowering women and IIM Mumbai’s legacy of academic excellence, this immersive six-month program blends AI efficiency, strategic learning, executive mentoring, and personal transformation. Through hybrid learning and campus immersions, it equips participants with the confidence, capability, and network to step into senior leadership roles—creating a generation of women leaders driving India’s growth story toward Viksit Bharat. This is Best Women’s leadership program in India
The Four Pillars of Transformation - Women’s Executive Leadership Program with AI
Transformative Training
Build the skills, confidence, and executive presence for next-level leadership.
CxO Level Mentoring
Guidance from women who have walked the path and broken barriers.
Immersive Experiences
Learn, reflect, and grow in an environment that fuels ambition.
Peer to Peer Learning
Grow with a cohort that learns together, challenges together, and rises together.
The Advantage You Gain from Women’s Executive Leadership Program with AI
Strategic Thinking for Career Advancement
The skill that differentiates managers from leaders. Learn to think long-term, solve complex problems, and see the bigger picture like a senior leader.
Leadership Skills That Drive Promotion Readiness
Build executive presence, influence stakeholders, communicate with power, and make decisions under ambiguity.
Finance, Digital & Analytical Capabilities for Modern Leadership
Learn data-driven decision-making, AI tools for productivity, structured problem-solving, the fundamentals of financial planning, and business analytics.
Navigate Bias & Organisational Dynamics with Confidence
Learn how to build visibility, manage workplace challenges, earn sponsors, and grow without burnout.
Build a Strong Network of Mentors, Sponsors & Allies
Gain access to senior leaders, a powerful peer cohort, and lifelong professional relationships that accelerate your career.
Why You Should Apply
The Women’s Executive Leadership Accelerator Program with AI is co-designed and certified by IIM Mumbai – renowned for shaping some of India’s most influential business leaders and the founders of NEF, Dr. Ganesh Natarajan and Dr. Uma Ganesh. With over four decades of leadership and mentoring experience, they have guided numerous women who today stand as stalwarts in their industries.
Drawing from this collective wisdom, the program features a unique pedagogy tailored specifically for mid-career women with 7+ years of experience, equipping them with the strategic insight, leadership readiness, and executive presence needed to move to the next level of growth.
Who Should Apply?
This executive women’s leadership program with AI is designed for ambitious mid-career women professionals preparing for senior management and leadership responsibilities.
Ideal participants include:
- Women professionals with 7 or more years of experience
- Managers preparing for senior leadership roles
- High-potential employees nominated by employers
- Functional leaders seeking broader business capabilities
- Women returning to an accelerated leadership track
- Founders and social-sector leaders managing growing teams
- Professionals who want stronger executive presence and strategic influence
Program at a Glance
This Women’s executive leadership program with AI is designed for ambitious mid-career women professionals preparing for senior management and leadership responsibilities.
Ideal participants include:
- Women professionals with 7 or more years of experience
- Managers preparing for senior leadership roles
- High-potential employees nominated by employers
- Functional leaders seeking broader business capabilities
- Women returning to an accelerated leadership track
- Founders and social-sector leaders managing growing teams
- Professionals who want stronger executive presence and strategic influence
Program Pedagogy
Cohort Based program
Live Online Interactive Sessions on Weekends
Immersive Sessions at IIM Mumbai Campus
Industry-relevant Training
Hands-on Case Studies And Business Scenarios
What Makes This Program Unique And Ready For Real World Success?
Certified by IIM Mumbai
Masterclasses by IIM Mumbai Faculty
Immersive sessions led by Dr. Ganesh Natarajan and Dr. Uma Ganesh
One on One Mentorship by CXO level Women Leaders
Experiential learning through Industry Connect Sessions
Curated Cohort of 30-40 High-Potential Women
Your Move. Your Moment.
Join the women who stopped waiting, and started leading.
6 months Executive Leadership Program | Next Cohort Starts – 2nd Week of January in 2027
Limited to 30 Participants | Application Deadline – 15th November 2026
IIM Mumbai’s Expert Faculty
Prof. Sumi Jha
Program Chair
Prof. Sumi Jha is a Prof. and Dean (Alumni and International Affairs) IIM Mumbai. Author of Strategic Leadership Models and Theories: Indian Perspective with several papers published in national international journals and recipient of Best Management Faculty and best paper and reviewer awards. Specialisation- Strategic leadership, People Analytics, Shared Leadership, and Employee empowerment. Consultant to several corporate including RCF, Adani Gas Ltd, Tata Power Ltd, Hindalco Industries Ltd, and Ordnance Factory.
Prof. Vivek Khanzode
Program Chair
Prof. Vivek Khanzode – Professor and Dean Academics at IIM Mumbai. BE, MTech, PhD from IIT Kharagpur. Specialisation – Operations and Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Planning and Control, Business Dynamics, Simulation Modeling and Analytics.
Prof. Neeraj Pandey
Prof. Neeraj Pandey – Professor of
Marketing and Dean Faculty Affairs at IIM Mumbai. Author for 2 books and Editor for renowned journals and recipient of ‘The Best
Teacher’ and ‘Young Management Researcher’ awards. Editor for renowned
journals. Specialization Pricing, Digital Marketing, B2B Marketing, and Product
Management. Consulted for BPCL, ONGC and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd
Prof. Nikhil K Mehta
Prof. Nikhil K Mehta – Dean (Student’s Affairs) and Professor at the IIM Mumbai in Organizational Behaviour and HRM. MBA (PersonnelManagement) & MA Gold Medalist- Industrial Psychology, PhD (Commerce). Certified Transactional Analysis Practitioner, FIRO-B Certified trainer. Recipient of Best Faculty (Student Development) and Prashasti Patra for publishing his research work in Raj-Bhasha from NITIE, Mumbai. Specialisation in communication skills, organisational development, leadership, professional and behavioural development.
Prof K S Ranjani
Prof KS Ranjani – Fellow Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant, Ph.D. in Management Studies. Associate Professor – IIM Mumbai. Specialisation in Project financing and Corporate finance and accounting, Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment & Impact of skill development and training. Research articles published in International Journal of Social Economics, Social Business, and the European Journal of Operational Research. Principal Investigator for projects funded by ICSSR & MGNCRE, Ministry of Education. Member of the Finance Committee at Pune Municipal Corporation, Solid Waste Management Department.
Prof. Poonam Singh
Dr. Poonam Singh – Associate Professor – Finance, Economics and Strategy. PhD – competition policy (Mergers and Acquisition: Firm Size, Market and Regulation) PhD scholar at the Institute of Law and Economics Institute, University of Hamburg, gold medalist in MSC Economics. Specialisation in applied econometrics, firm competition, technological innovation, public policy, analytics, business strategy, entrepreneurship and corporate governance. Research papers published in international journals of repute. Worked closely with the capital market regulator and Ministry of Finance for policy formulation and implementation. Involved in consulting assignments and research projects with Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange(NSE) and various manufacturing industries and credit rating agencies.
Prof. Vartika Srivastava
Prof. Vartika Srivastava – Ph.D. from IIT Bombay, MBA from IIM Ahmedabad & B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur. Marketing faculty member at IIM Mumbai Specialisation in Consumer Behavior, Marketing Engineering and Analytics, Big Data-Driven Consumer Analytics, B2B Sales and Marketing, and Social Media Marketing. Corporate experience includes seven years as a Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte.
NEF’s Expert Gurus
Dr. Ganesh Natarajan
Dr. Uma Ganesh
Founder of GTT Data Solutions and GTT Foundation. MBA from FMS Delhi and PhD from IIT Bombay, Author and Columnist in the Financial Express. Specialisation – Entrepreneurship, Women Empowerment, Digital Impact and Skills, leadership development. Recipient of several awards in recognition for her contribution to skill development and education
Eika Banarjee Chaturvedi
Founder of Eikam Resonance, MBA from FMS Delhi, A Chevening Gurukul Fellow from the University of Oxford. Best-Selling Author 52RedPills & Tales of Panchkanya, and a contributor to the Nari Shakti anthology. Specialises in ancient wisdom to solve for contemporary issues.
Narendra Goidani
Our Esteemed Mentors
Partner Rittenhouse Ventures, Advisor and Board member – Indian and American Tech companies
Country Head -International Relations & Strategic Partnerships – University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut, USA | Chairperson CII -IWN WR, Advisory Board Member
Join a powerful ecosystem designed to push boundaries and elevate women into leadership.
Application Process:
Step - 1
Submit a short 2-minute video
Step - 2
Fill out your application & statement of purpose
Step - 3
Attend a jury interaction
Step - 4
Receive your selection confirmation
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the IIM Mumbai–NEF Women’s Leadership Accelerator Program?
It is a six-month hybrid executive leadership programme for mid-career women professionals. Co-designed by IIM Mumbai and the Natarajan Empowerment Foundation (NEF), it combines faculty-led learning, CXO mentoring, industry interactions, peer learning and immersive campus sessions.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
The programme is designed for mid-career women professionals with at least seven years of work experience who aspire to move into senior leadership roles and expand their strategic and managerial capabilities.
3. When does the next cohort begin?
The next cohort is scheduled to begin in the second week of January 2027. The exact commencement date will be communicated to selected participants.
4. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline for the January 2027 cohort is 15 November 2026. As the cohort has limited seats, candidates are encouraged to apply early.
5. What is the duration of the programme?
The programme runs for six months and combines live online learning with immersive sessions at the IIM Mumbai campus.
6. What is the programme format?
The programme is delivered in a hybrid format, comprising live online interactive sessions, IIM Mumbai campus immersions, one-to-one mentoring, industry interactions, case studies and peer-learning activities.
7. Where will the campus immersion sessions take place?
The in-person immersion sessions will be held at the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai campus.
8. Who will conduct the sessions?
Sessions will be facilitated by experienced IIM Mumbai faculty members, NEF’s leadership experts and accomplished industry leaders. Participants will also receive guidance from senior women CXOs and mentors.
9. Does the programme include individual mentoring?
Yes. Participants will receive one-to-one mentoring from senior women CXOs and experienced leaders who will provide personalised guidance for their leadership and career journeys.
10. How can I apply or request additional information?
Candidates can submit the application form available on the programme webpage. For further assistance, write to info@nefconnect.org