The Value of Professional Relationships: What I Learned on a Women’s Leadership Programme

“I had a lot of ‘a-ha’ moments. I needed to come into my own, in a sense, and say, ‘Okay, this is who I am, this is what I want to do next’ – just appreciate myself better as a woman leader.”

– Olufunto Agbeniga, Head of Commercial Finance and Planning, GB Railfreight

Meet Olufunto

With a decade of experience as a chartered accountant under her belt, Olufunto Agbeniga felt it was time to take stock. “I was at a point in my career where I felt like I needed clarity. I needed to just do a self-evaluation of my career journey, and ask myself, ‘What next?’” she explains. This moment of reflection pushed her to register for the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. “I needed that down time to just sit with like-minded women, and learn from others.”

Why choose an online programme from Oxford Saïd

When asked why she chose to study online with Oxford Saïd, Olufunto is emphatic that it is due to the School’s reputation and rigor. It is embedded in a world-class university with an 800-year-old history. The online portfolio combines innovation with traditional excellence, and is informed by the university’s cutting-edge education and groundbreaking research. Each programme is designed for busy professionals who want to benefit from having access to Oxford University faculty and industry experts, but need the flexibility to learn on their own time. Participants from around the world can take part in illuminating discussions with their peers as they work towards finding solutions to global challenges and growing into purposeful, future-focused leaders. As Olufunto puts it, “I considered other reputable schools, but I didn’t find a similar course that could meet my needs as a woman in my career journey at that point in time.”

Developing leadership skills with an international cohort of women

The Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme offers the reflective practice that Olufunto was looking for, even after many years as a manager, and focuses on self-acceptance, self-management, and self-development. It is designed to help professionals develop leadership skills to influence, persuade, empower, and mentor the next generation of women leaders. But for Olufunto, the most valuable offering was the cohort she met on the course. As she explains, “[It] gave me an opportunity to meet women from different walks of life and different experiences. That has enabled me to build relationships that wouldn’t be possible for me, and I’m still connected with them.”

Her advice to other women? “Keep improving… you need to be a step ahead… and position yourself rightly.”

Gain the tools to advance as a woman in leadership