The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB), an organization that supports young professionals in realizing their potential in Bulgaria, and AUBG are joining forces in a large-scale joint project aimed at the professional development of women in management. The new program, “SHE-Level Academy”, is designed specifically for women in leadership positions who aspire to reach the highest executive levels and to serve on boards of directors. The initiative is supported by A1.
SHE-Level Academy is structured as a nine-month intensive program, divided into three thematic modules, each consisting of three training sessions, to be held between April 2026 and March 2027. The program targets women in leadership roles who are one level below top management (C-1) and who have clear ambitions for career growth.
Applications for the program are now open until 21 February 2026, via this link. A preferential early-bird fee is available until 10 February 2026.
The official launch will be announced at a special event on the eve of International Women’s Day, on 6 March 2026.
The thematic modules focus on developing key leadership skills and competencies:
- Module 1: Leadership Presence (April-June 2026) – focused on building inner resilience, authentic leadership, influence skills, and personal branding.
- Module 2: Leadership of the Future (September-November 2026) – aimed at developing strategic thinking at CEO level, governance at board level, and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty.
- Module 3: Strategic Systemic Leadership (January-March 2027) – covering ethical influence in large systems, systems thinking, and the management of inclusive organizational transformations.
The program will be delivered in a bilingual format: most sessions will be conducted in Bulgarian, while selected components will be in English. Participants will attend several full-day sessions, complemented by self-study materials and practical assignments focused on solving real business cases.
All in-person sessions will take place in Sofia, at AUBG’s Elieff Center for Education and Culture in Studentski Grad. The modern academic environment will provide participants with a space for intensive exchange of experience, strategic learning, and the building of valuable professional networks.
The program’s lecturers include experts with extensive experience in team management and leadership development. Module leaders include Veselka Tsocheva-Donkova, Master Certified Coach; Kristina Nesheva, entrepreneur in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence; and Dr. Neli Koleva, Director of Public Partnerships at Teach for Bulgaria and lecturer in social entrepreneurship in AUBG’s Executive MBA program. Other lecturers in SHE-Level Academy include journalist Mirolyuba Benatova; Galina Kostova, a leader with over 20 years of experience in managing businesses and people in the FMCG and chemical industries; and Prof. Micheal Stratton, Professor of Management at AUBG.
More information about the program and the lecturers is available here.
About the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB)
The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB) aims to promote best practices and programs that support the professional development of women in small and medium-sized enterprises and their advancement into managerial positions. The organization also works actively to support young professionals and talents in realizing their potential in Bulgaria, as well as to assist young people from disadvantaged social backgrounds in their education. As a result of its consistent work and sustainable contribution to building a more inclusive and equitable environment, CWBB has received national and international recognition, including awards from the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women in Business and from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
