As it marks its 60th anniversary, AMBS contributes as a supporting sponsor of the Lean In Career Programme 8.0, helping advance women leaders through scholarships, mentorship and coaching.

Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), part of The University of Manchester, has announced its supporting sponsorship of the Lean In Career Programme (LICP) 8.0, Malaysia’s leading women’s leadership accelerator. This partnership reemphasises AMBS’s 60-year legacy of global impact in business education and its continued commitment to building inclusive leadership pipelines.

LICP 8.0 equips women with practical tools, professional networks, and targeted mentorship to accelerate their careers. Through structured workshops, personalised coaching, and access to communication networks with senior industry mentors, participants gain both the skills and connections needed to navigate leadership challenges. LICP 8.0 further provides a safe space for women to share experiences and support one another, while alumni networks open doors to long-term career opportunities. This holistic approach aligns with AMBS’s mission to nurture future-ready leaders who can thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Joanne Rodrigues, Group Chief Financial Officer of Affin Bank, AMBS alumna, and listed among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2025, emphasised, “We are proud to host the LICP 8.0 at our headquarters, Menara AFFIN, TRX, together with AMBS. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to empowering women leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving meaningful change in their fields. At Affin, we believe that when women rise, communities and economies flourish. We remain dedicated to fostering inclusivity, nurturing leadership, and building a future where every woman can thrive.”

Joanne Rodrigues, Group Chief Financial Officer of Affin Bank, AMBS alumna, and one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2025, delivers the keynote address at LICP 8.0, inspiring participants to lead with confidence and authenticity

The three winners of LICP 8.0 were also awarded opportunities designed to further their growth as leaders. These include a partial sponsorship through the  Manchester Global MBA Scholarship for the Malaysia cohort, with options for international electives and accommodation; a career coaching session with Andrew Jones; and a mentorship coffee chat with AMBS alumni to support their professional networks.

Winners of the Lean In Career Programme 8.0 receive recognition for their leadership potential, including scholarship and mentorship opportunities from Alliance Manchester Business School to support their continued growth

Among the winners was Ts. Norhaizam Mustaffa, Assistant Vice President of Technology at NanoMalaysia Berhad, received the Most Innovative Speaker award. Having grown up in Besut, Terengganu, and now participating in her second LICP, Norhaizam shared how her rural roots inspired her winning idea. “My idea for the career chatbot was inspired by my rural upbringing, where career guidance was limited. LICP gave me the courage to turn that gap into innovation that empowers others,” she said.

Saedah Zakirah Binti Zul Azhar, who drew on her background in law and humanitarian work with the UNHCR, was named Most Outstanding Speaker. “I’m deeply grateful for this recognition, especially as it’s my first win. LICP taught me the beauty of stepping out of my comfort zone. To every woman leader, trust your journey, stay true to yourself, and keep moving forward with heart,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Natasha Joibi, Strategic Initiatives Manager at WWF-Malaysia, received the Most Outspoken Speaker award. “Coming from an NGO background, stepping into a corporate space was intimidating, but the LICP mentors helped me find my voice. This win reminds me that real growth begins when we embrace challenges with confidence,” she said.

Reflecting on the impact of the programme, Lim Bee Ing, Regional Director for The University of Manchester Southeast Asia, served on the judging panel, shared, “The University of Manchester has a proud history of supporting women’s leadership, from the pioneering work of Emmeline Pankhurst, who fought for women’s rights over a century ago, to developing leaders globally today. That legacy continues here in Malaysia through our Global MBA, our executive education pathways, and our collaboration with Lean In Malaysia on impactful programmes such as LICP 8.0.” 

She added, “By bringing our expertise, networks, and support directly to this region, we are helping women accelerate into leadership roles by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and connections to make an impact locally and globally.”

Sarah Chen-Spellings, the Co-Founder of Lean In Malaysia, remarked: “When we started Lean In Malaysia ten years ago, it began with a small group of women who believed we could create a space for women to grow, connect, and lead. Back then, the lack of women in leadership here in Malaysia was stark, and we thought the solution was simple: women just needed to ‘lean in’ harder. But over the years, we learned it’s not only about women stepping up, it’s about changing the system that leans back. Lean In Malaysia has become a movement where women lift one another and redefine what leadership looks like in this country.”

Sarah Chen-Spellings, Co-Founder of Lean In Malaysia, highlights the transformative impact of the Lean In Career Programme (LICP) in nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of women leaders

Since its inception, Lean In Malaysia has transformed hundreds of women’s careers through leadership development and peer support. AMBS’s sponsorship of LICP 8.0 amplifies this impact by offering access to world-class business education, executive coaching and alumni mentorship.

Looking ahead, AMBS will continue its anniversary initiatives by hosting a Digital Economy Masterclass on 30 October 2025, led by Professor Duncan Shaw, further cementing its role as a thought leader in shaping leaders for the future economy.