ICM Launches the Second Cohort of the Midwife Leaders Executive Sponsorship Programme 

ICM is committed to strengthening midwifery leadership at global, regional, and national levels. Across our work, we support midwives to participate in decision-making, influence policy, and contribute to high-quality sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services. 

The ICM Midwife Leaders Executive Sponsorship programme  is one of several current initiatives designed to enhance midwife leadership capacity, expand professional networks, ensure midwives are leading and designing services and that they are represented and considered where strategic discussions take place. By investing in midwife leadership development, ICM aims to create sustainable pathways that enable midwives to lead, advocate, and shape the future of the profession. 

The programme is a 24-month initiative designed to support midwifery leadership. Following early success in the inaugural cohort (launched in June 2025), we are excited to announce the launch of the second cohort, supporting more midwife leaders around the world. 

Why This Programme Matters

The global health landscape continues to rapidly evolve. Shifts in technology, policy, gender equity, and community expectations are changing the care women, girls, and gender-diverse people seek and deserve. Transforming health systems and upholding human rights in sexual and reproductive health requires strong and visible midwifery leadership. Midwives must be present at tables where strategy is set, resources are allocated, and health policy is defined. 

Programme Details 

The Midwife Leaders Executive Sponsorship Programme  develops midwifery leadership in new and innovative ways. Through this programme,  executive-level sponsors are matched with emerging or established midwife leaders (sponsees). The executive sponsor provides strategic guidance, high-level exposure, and visible advocacy to their assigned midwife sponsee. The executive sponsor meets with the sponsee at least bi-monthly (e.g. once in two months) for two years.  

During the programme, ICM will coordinate two check-in meetings per year for all sponsors, networking webinars for sponsees, and host a programme closure celebration with all participants. The programme is flexible, participant-led, and meets local needs by matching sponsors and sponsees within the same country setting, where possible, to support sustainability.  

While ICM organises the programme, sponsors and sponsees shape the activities themselves. We do not provide formal training or funding; instead, the programme focuses on reciprocal relationships between participants. 

What Makes Sponsorship Different from Mentorship 

Unlike traditional mentorship, sponsorship focuses not only on guidance, but on access and advocacy. Executive sponsors are encouraged to: 

• Introduce midwife leaders to influential networks and meetings 

• Recommend them for opportunities, committees, projects, or leadership roles 

• Provide strategic feedback and visibility 

• Champion their growth in professional arenas 

The structure is designed to influence real-world leadership pathways, through professional development, access to networks, and ongoing support of an executive sponsor.  

In addition, executive sponsors gain fresh perspectives and insights from sponsoring emerging midwife leaders, they support succession planning and contribute to future midwifery leadership.  

Becoming a Sponsee 

Applications are encouraged from midwives working in clinical care, education, regulation, policy, research, midwifery associations, or any other leadership-oriented role. To become a sponsee, applicants must: 

• Be qualified midwives and members of an ICM Member Association 

• Provide a letter of support from their association 

• Demonstrate ambition to grow as a leader and contribute to the profession 

• Commit to regular engagement throughout the 24-month programme 

The programme is currently available in English. We continue to monitor accessibility and will consider additional languages in the future. 

Becoming an Executive Sponsor 

We invite senior colleagues across the global midwifery and maternal health community to consider nominating themselves to act as sponsors. Sponsorship not only supports emerging leaders; it offers sponsors a chance to contribute to the future of the profession and learn from the next generation of midwifery leaders.  

Sponsors may be chief midwives, directors, ministers, organisational leaders, academics, or any senior figure with the authority and influence to open pathways for emerging midwives leadership development. Executive sponsors will be listed publicly on the ICM website to increase visibility of midwifery leadership role models. 

The future of Midwifery Leadership 

Midwives are not only clinicians; they are leaders, innovators, advocates and system changers. This programme will give future midwifery leaders the networks, strategic visibility and personal development needed to influence governments, institutions, and health systems.  

We invite emerging midwife leaders and senior-level executives willing to act as sponsors here to apply!  

Key Dates 

• Application Deadline: 19 of January 2026 

• Programme Commencement: 06 of March 2026 

• Programme Conclusion: March 2028