Eleven Women, One Commonwealth: A New Leadership Journey Begins

Sarah McQuade
Oct 24
2 min read

Welcome to 11 inspiring women leaders from across the Commonwealth

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Commonwealth Women’s Leadership Programme (CWLP) 2025–26, a flagship initiative of Commonwealth Sport designed to empower women leaders in sport across the Commonwealth.

This year’s cohort brings together 11 exceptional women representing a diverse mix of sports, cultures, and contexts — each committed to driving change and amplifying women’s voices in sport leadership.

2025–26 Cohort

Raynecia Simmonds – British Virgin Islands

Marea Modutlwa – Botswana

Hylane Tamarua – Papua New Guinea

Constance Nchifi – Cameroon

Hollie Lunn – England

Aminata Turay – Sierra Leone

Kristie Baillie – New Zealand

Vinesha Coocaram – Mauritius

Thandi Boois – Namibia

Lisa Martin – Scotland

Angelica Holder – Guyana

Together, these women embody the spirit of leadership, inclusion, and empowerment that defines the Commonwealth Women’s Leadership Programme.

A strong start: reflection, connection, and community

Following their selection, each participant took part in a one-to-one conversation with Programme Directors Sarah McQuade and Barbara Daniels. These conversations supported the women to reflect on their leadership journeys and to evolve their Personal Development Plans (PDPs) — a cornerstone of the CWLP experience that helps guide personal growth and community impact.

With the support of our digital partner, MiMentor, participants accessed the CWLP learning platform, completed the online PDP course, and began engaging with programme resources and their peers in the community space.

The formal launch took place in mid-October with an interactive Welcome Webinar designed to foster connection, collaboration, and community. This online gathering brought together participants, mentors, and programme leads to build relationships, share aspirations, and officially begin the 2025–26 leadership journey.

Mentoring: the heartbeat of CWLP

A cornerstone of CWLP is its international mentoring network — an extraordinary group of experienced leaders from across the Commonwealth.

This year’s mentors hail from Australia, Jamaica, England, Ghana, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and the USA, each selected for their leadership experience and their ability to provide high-quality mentoring consistent with Commonwealth Sport’s mentoring philosophy — one grounded in reflection, empowerment, and growth.

Mentors and mentees will meet regularly throughout the year to explore leadership strengths, refine goals, and identify opportunities for impact. These relationships will guide each woman’s learning journey, anchored by her evolving Personal Development Plan.

A community of practice and shared growth

Throughout the 12-month programme, participants will engage in a Community of Practice, supported by bi-monthly webinars, reflective activities, and peer collaboration. They will also deliver community engagement projects that bring their learning to life — creating local and regional impact through sport.

Together, these experiences are helping to increase the visibility, voice, and influence of women leaders within the Commonwealth Sport Movement and beyond.

Programme opportunities

The 2025–26 Commonwealth Women’s Leadership Programme promises to be another year of reflection, growth, and transformation — as 11 remarkable women take forward the mission of shaping a more inclusive future for sport across the Commonwealth.