Rise AV has announced the 23 women selected for its 2026 Elevate programme, bringing together professionals from 20 organisations across the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.
Now in its second year, Elevate is a six-week management and leadership development programme designed to equip women with the practical skills to lead teams, manage people and make confident business decisions.
With the AV industry facing an ongoing skills shortage, Elevate also addresses a critical challenge: retaining and developing the experienced talent already working within the industry.
“We spend a lot of time talking about how to attract new people into AV, but we need to put just as much energy into keeping the talented people we already have,” said Rachael Hamilton, Managing Director at Rise AV.
“Women are still underrepresented in leadership, and we can’t afford to lose their experience and potential as they progress through their careers. Elevate is about investing in that talent, giving women the tools and opportunities to grow into leadership roles and helping businesses build stronger teams for the future.”
The programme combines interactive learning with practical application, covering leadership strengths, team motivation, difficult conversations, managing change, commercial decision-making and communication. Delegates will also benefit from peer learning and connections with women facing similar challenges across the industry.
Each delegate will be supported by a senior AV industry leader through Rise AV’s unique Jedi coaching model. This year’s Jedis are Martine Dodwell-Bennett (Absen), Wayne Mason (Neat), Gary Keene (University of the Arts) and Danielle Myburgh (Pixel Global).
Meet the 2026 Elevate cohort
- Amy Amesbury — Director of Partner Marketing, Kinly
- Kim Beard — Product Development and Account Manager, Digibox
- Anna Bell — Head of Operations, Southby Productions
- Danielle Bond — Operations Director, MADE AV
- Emily Burrows — Associate Director, Plaster PR
- Carina Dengler — Regional Sales Manager, QSC
- Amanda Greaves — Client Services and Sales Manager, Electrosonic
- Danielle Hastings — Sales Team and HR Coordinator, Hive
- Ashleigh Harding — Sales Manager, End User Sales Team, Sharp Displays
- Stephanie Izzi — Global Head of Brand Awareness and Thought Leadership, Shure
- Emma Kemp — Purchasing Manager UK, Diversified
- Kelly Legood — Financial Controller UK&I, Midwich
- Rebecca Lloyd — Global Program Director, Kinly
- Elena Lown — Technical Support Manager, Brompton
- Laura McCarthy — Business Development Manager, Hereworks
- Cassy Anyiam — BDR Manager, Neat
- Amy Pusey — Head of Sales and Vendor Operations, Konekt
- Ruth Read — Director, blooloop
- Sandra Schröder — Manager Audio Foundation, Sennheiser
- Lauren Sweeney — UX/UI Designer, 7th Sense
- Carys Thomas Steer — Head of Installs, Sales & Special Projects, Southby Productions
- Fay Vincent — Visual Technologies Facilitator, James Hutton
- Georgia Watson — European Marketing Executive, Konekt
Thanks to the support of Rise AV’s sponsors, the programme is heavily subsidised, with places costing £550–£950 depending on company size, against an estimated commercial value of £3,000 per delegate.
Rise AV thanks its Global Headline Partners, QSC and Neat; Gold Sponsors, Diversified, Audiologic, Sennheiser, Kinly and Shure; and its Silver and Bronze Sponsors for their continued support.
Looking ahead to 2027
Elevate forms part of Rise AV’s wider commitment to attracting, developing and retaining talent across the industry.
Organisations interested in supporting women through the October 2027 programme are encouraged to plan ahead and include Elevate in their professional development budgets.
Register your interest in Elevate 2027.
For more information, visit www.rise-av.com.
