Experiences from Oxford Leadership Programmes

The Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme was a 6-day course held from October 5 to October 10, 2025. It helped the participants to interpret the highly complex and rapidly changing global healthcare environment and developed the skills and thinking necessary to harness the multiple, often paradoxical forces within it to effect change.

The Women Transforming Leadership Programme was a 5-day course held from October 27 to October 31, 2025. It provided a learning environment for women to develop their leadership blueprint and identity. The participants learned to lead in a way that embraced their unique qualities, rather than adopting a particular “leadership style.”

The participation of ERA members to these courses was actively promoted by the Women of ERA (WERA) and benefited from financial support provided by the ERA Curatorium and the ENDI Foundation.

“The Women Transforming Leadership Programme has been genuinely transformative. This experience has strengthened my confidence, expanded my perspective, and helped me better understand the kind of leader I aspire to become. The global network of remarkable women and the programme’s reflective, experiential learning have reshaped how I engage with colleagues, mentor others, and influence systems in both public health and renal research. I am deeply grateful to the ERA for supporting my participation and investing in the development of women who are growing into future leadership roles in our field, and I am committed to giving back to ERA through continued collaboration, mentorship, and active contribution to its initiatives”.

“The Women Transforming Leadership Programme has been a truly transformative experience because it is a unique and safe space for deep self-reflection and growth, with the opportunity to network and share experiences with such a diverse and inspiring cohort of women. It has equipped me with invaluable tools for strategic thinking and cultivating emotional intelligence in my interactions, clarifying my career goals and shifting my leadership approach to be more reflective and purpose-driven. Thank you very much ERA!”

“The Women Transforming Leadership Programme was a truly eye-opening experience that helped me better understand my strengths, weaknesses, and vision for my professional journey. The richness of the teaching, combined with inspiring connections with women from diverse professional and geographical backgrounds around the world, created a lasting sense of belonging. I came away energized and eager to share this gift, especially with younger nephrologists. Thank you, ERA!”

“I’ve always felt a little different from others: my enthusiasm was considered too big, my imagination too vivid, and my expectations too high compared to reality. Then I attended the WTL programme, receiving tools, inspiration and support from great teachers and a cohort of brilliant women from all over the world, and I felt less alone. This experience made me believe that the dream of making the difference for people through our work is not impossible, but something we can truly achieve, together”.

“When I was asked to build a new clinical trial programme, I realized that leadership in medicine isn’t just for those at the top, it’s about having the courage to shape change. The Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme, supported by the Women of the European Renal Association, gave me the tools and confidence to turn uncertainty into opportunity. I hope more early-career colleagues see that investing in leadership training can truly empower us to drive innovation in healthcare”.

“The Women Transforming Leadership Programme has been truly life-changing — from the global camaraderie and inspiring new ideas to discovering my own leadership personality. I have learned many new skills that have reshaped how I approach colleagues, teams, and patient care in nephrology. This experience has strengthened my confidence, broadened my perspective, and will guide my career with greater clarity and purpose” .

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Oxford Leadership Programme. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
From a professional perspective, this programme introduced me to new strategies to improve health outcomes and deliver the highest quality of care to our patients. It also provided a global perspective on the current challenges faced by healthcare systems and taught me how to anticipate and prepare to find the best possible solutions.
From a personal perspective, it was a transformative experience that fostered significant personal growth. I had the privilege of meeting exceptional professionals from around the world, and I would also like to highlight the professors, each of whom was a true source of inspiration. What an extraordinary journey!”