SheLeads: Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders in STEM
SheLeads is the Tokarev Foundation's flagship leadership and entrepreneurship programme for girls and young women in STEM, designed to help the next generation of innovators develop the skills, confidence, and networks to build impactful careers and ventures.
Delivered in partnership with uBoost, STEM is FEM, AI House, and Healthy Mind, the programme brings together aspiring founders, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and mentors to support young women at the beginning of their leadership journey. Through a combination of entrepreneurship education, AI literacy, mentorship, and well-being support, SheLeads equips participants with the practical tools needed to turn ideas into action.
The programme welcomes girls and young women aged 16–22 from across Ukraine who are passionate about technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and creating positive social impact.
How It Works
SheLeads is an intensive multi-week programme that equips participants with the knowledge, practical experience, and professional networks needed to pursue careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in STEM.
Participants receive:
- Individual and group mentorship from entrepreneurs, technology leaders, and industry experts
- Expert-led learning modules covering entrepreneurship, leadership, career development, and innovation
- Hands-on training in AI tools and emerging technologies for professional growth
- Practical assignments to develop business ideas, business models, pitch decks, and project roadmaps
- Mental well-being support, including self-assessment tools and confidence-building resources
- Opportunities to present their ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for seed funding
Throughout the programme, participants strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, leadership capabilities, and professional confidence while developing practical projects that address real-world challenges.
Building a Community of Future Innovators
Beyond the educational programme, SheLeads fosters a supportive community where participants learn from one another, exchange ideas, and grow alongside peers who share their ambitions. Throughout the programme, participants collaborate on projects, engage in peer-to-peer learning, and build lasting relationships that continue well beyond the classroom.
The programme also creates pathways to future education and employment by connecting participants with startups, technology companies, ecosystem partners, and industry professionals. As the SheLeads community continues to grow, participants gain access to internship opportunities, career development initiatives, networking events, and potential employment pathways, helping them take the next step in their professional journey while remaining connected to a vibrant network of future women leaders in STEM.
By the Numbers
Why It Matters
SheLeads is strengthening Ukraine's future by investing in the next generation of women innovators, entrepreneurs, and STEM professionals. By equipping girls and young women with entrepreneurial, leadership, and digital skills, the programme helps expand women's participation in the innovation economy and prepares them to contribute to high-growth sectors that will shape the country's future.
As Ukraine rebuilds, unlocking the potential of talented young women is essential for long-term economic recovery and resilience. Through mentorship, practical experience, and access to professional networks, SheLeads is supporting a more inclusive workforce, stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems, and a new generation of leaders driving innovation and sustainable economic growth.
