Women in Leadership: Give to Gain | Aberdeen

CIMA Scotland is delighted to invite you to this Women in Leadership: Give to Gain event taking place in Aberdeen to mark International Women’s Day 2026. This session is brought about as part of a series of events, taking place simultaneously across Scotland, in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

Each location will host its own unique conversation, while sharing a common purpose: to explore how giving—to ourselves, to others and to our communities—strengthens leadership, resilience and impact. Whether you’re at the start of your career, stepping into leadership, or shaping change at a senior level, this event is for you.

What to expect:

• Thought‑provoking conversations
• Time and space for meaningful networking
• Honest reflections on leadership, work and life
• A warm, inclusive atmosphere where every voice matters

Our speakers in Aberdeen are:

• Edel Harris OBE: Former CEO of Mencap, and Cornerstone Community Carel; currently Chair of the EY Foundation, Chair at Aberdeen Performing Art, Chair of Aspen People, and NED at the National Care Group.
• Donna Hutchison: From Cyrenians, supporting people facing homelessness and disadvantage, Donna will offer a vital perspective on inclusion, compassion and the power of community‑led change.

You can read Edel's and Donna's full bios in the 'Lineup' section below.

As this event is all about women—celebrating, inspiring & supporting them—we invite you to make a donation to the Women’s Fund for Scotland via created in collaboration with the charity.

About the charity we're supporting:

The Women’s Fund for Scotland is Scotland’s only fund dedicated exclusively to supporting women and girls. Since 2002, it has invested £3.4 million in more than 700 grassroots organisations and community groups, supporting women-led work in communities across the country.

The Fund exists to address systemic inequality by resourcing initiatives led by women, for women as well as grassroots projects for women and girls. It backs work that builds skills, confidence, safety and financial resilience, grounded in lived experience and deep local knowledge. Its guiding belief is simple: when women are resourced and trusted, change is stronger and longer lasting.

Funding is strategically focused across three core investment themes:

• Heal – supporting women’s health, wellbeing, safety and recovery
• Thrive – building skills, confidence, leadership and economic resilience
• Rise – strengthening relationships, networks and collective power

In response to growing economic pressures on women, the Fund has increasingly prioritised work that tackles poverty and financial insecurity, alongside long-term investment in prevention, wellbeing and community strength.

The Women’s Fund for Scotland is pro-women, politically neutral and impact led. Its role is not only to distribute grants, but to influence systems, amplify women’s voices and help build a Scotland where women and girls are safe, respected, financially secure and able to participate equally in society.

Feisty Gals is the face the charity created for our fundraising activities. It’s loud, proud and here to make change happen. Feisty Gals represents the voices of women and girls who don’t have a voice and are sometimes too scared to speak out.

Please note: CIMA are inviting their Members & Students to attend this event for free - a light brekfast selection, hot beverages, and fantastic speakers are all included. We strongly encourage you to make a donation, however small, to the , thus aligining yourself with the 'Give to Gain' theme.

See you on the 23rd February!

Info: Enjoy a selection of hot drinks & breakfast bites.

Info: The conversation will centre around the following themes: Give a Voice, Give Opportunities, Give Mentoring.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

210 Bistro, 210 Market Street, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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