Rise AV has launched its first Elevate Programme, a structured professional development initiative designed to equip high-potential women in the AV sector with the skills, confidence and support needed to progress into leadership roles.
The 2025 UK cohort brings together 25 women from across the AV industry, representing companies such as Barco, BBC, Sennheiser, Sony Europe, Kinly and Peerless-AV. The six-week programme, which begins on November 3, combines interactive learning, group challenges and mentorship from senior industry figures. Rise AV says the initiative is designed to strengthen leadership pipelines and help build a more diverse and resilient workforce across the AV industry.
Key elements of Elevate include an Interactive Learning Day covering communication, motivation, finance and conflict resolution, followed by Industry Challenges that see participants working in small teams to tackle real business issues. Delegates will also develop practical toolkits and present their learnings at a final showcase event.
Participants will be supported throughout by senior AV professionals – known as “Jedis” – who bring decades of experience to guide them through the programme’s real-life challenges. Mentors include Jane Hammersley (Blue Touch Paper), Daryl Clark (Workplace Vision), Martine Dodwell Bennett (Absen), Rebecca Knight (Disguise) and Gary Keene (University of the Arts London).
Rachael Hamilton, managing director, Rise AV, said: “Elevate is a major step forward for the AV industry. It is so much more than upskilling. It’s about unlocking potential, building confidence, and showing women in AV that they are truly valued. We’re incredibly proud to launch this programme – it is one incredibly close to my heart. I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence and feel like they are in constant survival mode, like I did when I was progressing up the career ladder, and programmes like this are a step closer to achieving this.”
Rise AV expressed thanks to its sponsors, including global headline sponsor QSC; gold sponsors Audiologic, Diversified, Midwich and Sennheiser; and a wide range of supporting silver and bronze partners.
The Elevate Programme will run until early December, culminating in a showcase event. Applications for the 2026 cohort open next year, with Rise encouraging AV businesses to include participation in their training and development budgets.
Further information about the Elevate Programme can be found here.
