Rise AV, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing gender diversity and creating greater opportunities for women across the audiovisual industry, is inviting sign-ups for its six-week Elevate leadership programme.
The AV industry is facing a global shortage of more than 2.3 million professionals. Yet, as businesses struggle to attract and retain top talent, the sector continues to overlook one of its greatest opportunities: its people. Women remain significantly under-represented, accounting for just 9% of the industry and 2% of technical roles.
This is not just a recruitment issue. The AV sector remains heavily male-dominated, with women facing entrenched systemic barriers, including unconscious bias, limited representation, and workplace cultures that were not designed with everyone in mind.
Rise AV was created in direct response to these systemic challenges. As a sister organisation to Rise Women in Broadcast, it unites professionals, employers, and industry partners to promote a more inclusive, representative, and sustainable AV sector through mentoring, education, networking, and leadership.
The Rise AV Elevate Programme is designed for those working in the industry, including mid-level female managers, those stepping into leadership roles, and women already leading without the necessary tools or support.
What is Elevate?
Elevate is a six-week intensive leadership program designed to cultivate the next wave of senior women leaders in the AV industry. It offers contextualised learning focused on industry-specific challenges, helping participants boost confidence, handle ambiguity, and develop effective communication skills.
The programme unites women across the AV ecosystem, encompassing commercial AV, live events, production, residential AV, manufacturing, distribution, and end-user organisations.
Elevate will explore a range of topics, including understanding and leading from your strengths, building confidence and establishing a strong leadership presence. It will also focus on motivating and inspiring teams, delivering impactful feedback, and managing difficult conversations.
Additionally, it will cover leading through ambiguity and organisational change, influencing stakeholders, and strengthening relationships. The program will address self-doubt and imposter syndrome and develop an authentic and sustainable leadership style.
The impact of this programme on people is significant. Elizabeth Callens of Barco, a 2025 Elevate Delegate, says:
"The Rise AV Elevate leadership Programme turned 'I hope' into 'I will'... The real gift wasn't the theory; it was the fearless authenticity of brilliant women showing up for themselves and each other. I'm leaving more confident, energized, and deeply connected."
Georgina of Spor, another Elevate Delegate, highlighted how the programme breaks down the isolation often experienced in the sector:
"AV and tech can be isolating places to be a woman moving into leadership, and Elevate gave me a room full of people who got it... growth isn’t just about technical depth or climbing — it’s about community, being visible, and opening doors for the people coming up behind you."
Meet the 'Jedi' team
One of Elevate's distinctive features is the "Jedi" model, in which each Active Learning Set is led by an experienced AV industry leader who serves as a facilitator, coach, and guide.
Rather than providing direct answers, the Jedis stimulate critical thinking, promote reflection, and help delegates formulate their own solutions to real-world leadership challenges.
This year's Jedi team includes Daryl Clarke, Workplace Vision; Gary Keene, University of the Arts; Joel Chimoindes, Konekt; Martine Dodwell-Bennett, MBA, Absen; and Danielle Myburgh, Pixel Global.
Rise AV is also calling on AV businesses to invest in their female talent by supporting their applications. Companies that invest in structured leadership pipelines benefit from higher retention, improved business performance, and stronger succession planning.
Furthermore, diverse teams have been proven to be up to 25% more profitable and 78% faster at decision-making.
Spaces for Elevate are strictly limited to 35 delegates and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications closing on 24 July.
The format is a six-week hybrid journey that kicks off virtually on 14 October and features active online learning sessions and in-person events in London.
For more information and to apply, please click here.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
