Open Call for Next Generation Women Leaders Program (Europe)

The McKinsey & Company Next Generation Women Leaders Program is a leadership development initiative designed for high-potential women students and early-career professionals connected to Europe. It offers immersive learning, peer collaboration, and exposure to senior leaders to help participants build confidence, leadership skills, and long-term professional networks.

Overview

The McKinsey & Company Next Generation Women Leaders Program is a multi-day leadership experience created to support women who aspire to shape the future of business, society, and leadership.

The program focuses on personal growth, collaborative leadership, and forward-looking impact through structured learning sessions, peer engagement, and interaction with inspiring women leaders from McKinsey and beyond.

It is particularly designed for students and early-career professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership identity while building a strong, supportive professional network.

Program Objectives

The program aims to help participants:

• Discover and strengthen their individual leadership potential

• Build confidence and self-awareness as leaders

• Learn collaborative leadership skills through hands-on experiences

• Engage in meaningful dialogue with diverse women leaders

• Create a shared vision for future female leadership

Program Structure and Learning Journey

The program is structured around three core leadership themes, delivered across multiple days.

Day 1: Leading Self

The first day focuses on self-discovery and intention setting.

Participants begin by connecting with peers, reflecting on personal leadership aspirations, and exploring what leadership means to them individually.

Key elements include:

• Leadership potential discovery sessions

• Keynote addresses by inspiring leaders

• Panel discussions with diverse women professionals

• Structured networking and peer connection

This day establishes a strong foundation for self-awareness and community building.

Day 2: Leading Together

The second day emphasizes collaborative leadership and teamwork.

Participants engage in interactive, hands-on learning designed to simulate real leadership challenges.

Core activities include:

• A leadership quest conducted in small groups

• Problem-solving and decision-making exercises

• Skill-building through collaboration and feedback

The afternoon introduces Brave Spaces, which are facilitated small-group dialogue sessions that encourage openness, curiosity, and courage.

These sessions create a safe environment to discuss complex or often unspoken topics, helping participants learn from different perspectives and build deeper connections.

Day 3: Leading Forward

The final day focuses on shaping the future of leadership.

Participants work together to co-create a Leadership Manifesto, outlining a shared vision of what modern female leadership looks like and how they plan to bring it to life.

The program concludes with:

• Reflection on skills, values, and insights gained

• A closing keynote session

• A farewell lunch that marks the transition from learning to action

Participants leave with clarity, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to create lasting impact.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Identify as women

• Be based in Europe or have strong professional or academic ties to Europe

• Be one of the following:

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or MBA student graduating no later than 2027, or

  • A professional with up to 8 years of work experience

The program welcomes applicants from diverse academic disciplines and professional backgrounds.

Why This Program Matters

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles globally.

This program addresses that gap by:

• Providing early access to leadership development

• Building strong peer and mentor networks

• Encouraging confidence-driven, values-based leadership

• Supporting long-term career growth through community

By combining personal reflection, practical learning, and collective vision-building, the program helps participants turn ambition into meaningful impact.

How the Program Works

1. Selected participants join a multi-day immersive leadership experience.

2. Sessions blend keynote talks, panels, workshops, and group challenges.

3. Participants engage with peers and McKinsey leaders in structured and informal settings.

4. Learning progresses from self-leadership to collaborative leadership to future-focused leadership.

5. The program concludes with reflection, networking, and actionable takeaways.

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must submit the following:

• Resume (CV) in English, including:

  • Education and grades

  • Work experience

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Key achievements

• Preferred office location or business function, with up to three choices that will review the application

• Academic transcripts, including:

  • High school transcripts

  • University transcripts

  • Grade records where applicable

All documents should be accurate, complete, and clearly presented.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Highlight leadership roles, initiatives, or impact-driven experiences

• Clearly show academic performance and progression

• Emphasize collaboration, resilience, and growth mindset

• Align your interests with McKinsey’s values and leadership culture

• Ensure all documents are submitted in English

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete or outdated transcripts

• Omitting grades or academic details

• Providing a generic resume without leadership examples

• Selecting office preferences without clear rationale

• Missing eligibility criteria related to graduation year or experience

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this program only for business students?

No. Applicants from all academic disciplines are welcome, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Is prior consulting experience required?

No prior consulting experience is required. The program focuses on leadership potential, not consulting background.

3. Can professionals apply, or is it only for students?

Both students and professionals can apply, provided professionals have no more than eight years of work experience.

4. Is the program limited to specific European countries?

Applicants must be based in Europe or have strong ties to Europe, but there is no restriction to specific countries.

5. What are “Brave Spaces” in the program?

Brave Spaces are small-group dialogue sessions designed to foster open, honest, and courageous conversations around complex leadership topics.

6. Does participation guarantee a job at McKinsey?

No. Participation does not guarantee employment, but it provides valuable exposure, skills, and networking opportunities.

7. What is the Leadership Manifesto?

It is a co-created document developed by participants that defines their shared vision of female leadership and future impact.

Conclusion

The McKinsey & Company Next Generation Women Leaders Program is a high-impact leadership development opportunity for women ready to grow, connect, and lead with purpose.

By combining self-reflection, collaborative learning, and future-focused visioning, the program equips participants with the skills, confidence, and community needed to shape the next generation of leadership.