2026 Applications Open for the Future Women Leaders Program

KAGİDER and Sanofi Türkiye's Women Leaders of the Future Programme, running for 16 years through their collaboration, is now welcoming new cohort participants. The programme is open to young women graduating from undergraduate programmes at universities in 2026 or those graduating in 2027, offering training, mentoring and career networking opportunities to help participants make a strong start in working life. Applications will continue until 16 August 2026.

The Women Leaders of the Future Training Programme, run in collaboration between Turkey's Women Entrepreneurs Association (KAGİDER) and Sanofi Türkiye to support young women's career journeys, has opened applications for the 2026 cohort.

Marking its 16th year, the programme aims to develop the personal and professional competencies of young women in the transition from university to working life, support them in shaping their career goals, and ensure they become part of a strong professional solidarity network.

Young women graduating from undergraduate programmes at universities in 2026 or currently in their final year and graduating in 2027 can apply to the programme until 23:59 on Sunday, 16 August 2026. Following the application process, candidates will go through preliminary screening and video interview stages; participants accepted into the programme will be notified by email at the end of September.

Training, mentoring and a strong career network opportunity
Young women accepted into the programme will have the opportunity to develop different competencies they will need in working life during training sessions to be held on 4-5 November 2026.

Participants will receive comprehensive training on topics including leadership approaches, effective communication, technology, sustainability, project management, career planning and interview techniques. They will also meet role models from the business world, participate in interview simulations with human resources professionals and build professional connections to guide them through their career journeys.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will join the Women Leaders of the Future alumni network and continue to benefit from mentoring, experience sharing and various development opportunities during the early stages of their careers.

"Women Leaders of the Future has become a strong solidarity network"
Aysun Hatipoğlu, Corporate Relations Director at Sanofi Türkiye, highlighted the long-term impact created by the programme in her assessment:

"Women Leaders of the Future has evolved beyond being merely a training programme to become a strong solidarity and development network that has grown over the years. The fact that 92 per cent of our graduates have entered working life, 6 per cent have become entrepreneurs and 22 per cent have continued their careers as senior managers demonstrates the potential that emerges when young women are supported with the right opportunities.

As Sanofi, we believe that equal opportunity is one of the fundamental elements of social development and sustainable growth. Through the Women Leaders of the Future Programme, we have been supporting young women for 16 years to develop their competencies, gain confidence and make a stronger start to their careers."

"We will continue to stand by young women on their leadership journey"
Esra Bezircioğlu, KAGİDER President, spoke about the social impact created by the programme:

"It is crucial that young women have access to knowledge, guidance and inspiring role models in order to make a strong start to their careers. The Women Leaders of the Future Programme has become an exemplary social impact project that has created a strong culture of solidarity over the years.

To date, we have received over 22,000 applications from across Turkey and have supported 1,950 young women to successfully complete the programme and join our alumni network. Thanks to this strong ecosystem, young women learn from each other, share their experiences and support each other on their career journeys.

As KAGİDER, we believe that every effort supporting women's equal participation in economic life contributes to sustainable development. Through our collaboration with Sanofi Türkiye, we will continue to strengthen young women's leadership competencies, confidence and professional networks."

Applications continue for women leaders of the future
The Women Leaders of the Future Programme, which has been contributing to the preparation of young women for working life for 16 years, has supported thousands of young women throughout their career journeys. In its new phase, the programme aims to help young women unlock their potential and take their place among the leaders of tomorrow.

About Sanofi
Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company working to improve people's lives and enable sustainable growth through its focus on research and development and the power of artificial intelligence. Drawing on its expertise in the immune system, Sanofi develops medicines and vaccines that touch the lives of millions while aiming to create value in healthcare with an innovative product portfolio.

Sanofi continues to develop solutions to health, environmental and social challenges with the aim of improving human life through the power of science.

About KAGİDER
Turkey's Women Entrepreneurs Association (KAGİDER) is a non-governmental organisation that supports the economic, social and political empowerment of women through entrepreneurship.

Since its establishment, KAGİDER has developed partnerships with the public sector, private sector and non-governmental organisations to support women entrepreneurship; through training, mentoring and guidance activities, it carries out work to enable women to participate more strongly in economic life.