BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOLD, BALANCED IMPACT LEADERS

The RISE Accelerator

A 9-month accelerator that transforms overwhelmed leaders into resilient and effective senior leaders... fueling sustainable growth without burnout.

THE SCALING TRAP

Why most impact companies struggle to build strong leadership teams

  • Growth is outpacing leadership capacity - Senior leaders are stretched too thin and stressed

  • Middle managers are not ready - struggling to delegate, motivate their teams, and avoid or fuel conflict, which weakens trust

  • Constant firefighting - no focus on priorities that drive performance

  • Reliance on external hires is costly and weakens culture

  • Burnout from carrying too much instead of building resilient teams

THESE PATTERNS LEAD TO LOST MOMENTUM, DISENGAGED TEAMS, AND HIGHER TURNOVER RISK.

RISE builds Leaders who take the company to the next stage of growth.

Unlike traditional training (too shallow) or pure executive coaching (costly and too individual), RISE combines:

  • Evidence-based leadership training to build practical skills.

  • Deep mindset work to build resilience and confidence under pressure to navigate change and conflict effectively.

  • Executive coaching + peer cohort to personalize the journey with accountability and growth.

“I have done leadership classes before, but this one is the best so far because it requires me to look deep inside who am I as a person and as a leader, how am I doing as a leader so far, and where I want to be...”

A few program outcomes reported

WHAT LEADERS EXPERIENCED

96% of participants say RISE has profoundly shifted their personal and leadership growth and would recommend the program to others.

INCREASED FULFILLMENT

IMPROVED DELEGATION

MORE EFFECTIVE IN HARD CONVERSATIONS

  • Leaders became more effective at motivating teams, driving higher engagement.

  • Clearer, more effective communication, improving alignment and executive presence.

  • Greater adaptability under pressure, sustaining performance in growth phases.

  • Stronger at giving feedback, reinforcing accountability and culture.

  • Middle Managers ready and applying for senior leadership roles with more confidence and capacity

WHAT THEIR BOSSES OBSERVED

CLIENT SUCCESS CASE: Ignite Energy Access

PARTNERSHIP: 4 RISE cohorts | 93 next-generation leaders

GOAL

Strengthen the organization’s internal leadership pipeline by preparing high-potential leaders to step into critical senior leadership roles, reducing reliance on external hires while building a stronger, more gender-diverse senior leadership pipeline.

CHALLENGE

As Ignite Energy Access scaled rapidly across Africa, demand for experienced leaders outpaced the readiness of its internal talent pipeline. The organization relied heavily on external and expatriate hires to fill senior roles, succession planning was limited, and women were under-represented in senior leadership positions at the start of the partnership.

COMMERCIAL IMPACT

The programme investment was estimated to break even through retaining and advancing just two participants for one additional year.

IMPACT

Across four cohorts, RISE helped Ignite Energy Access build a stronger leadership bench across Africa, Europe, and China. The programme strengthened the organization’s succession pipeline, increased leadership readiness from within, reduced reliance on external hires, and contributed to greater gender diversity in senior leadership.

  • 32 alumni have been promoted or taken on acting assignments.

  • 2 female RISE alumni have since been promoted into Country, Regional, and Global leadership positions.

  • 50% of the organization’s successor pool are RISE alumni.

  • 38% women in the RISE alumni successor pool

  • 377% estimated ROI generated through employee retention alone, excluding additional productivity and organizational performance gains.

IMPACT

COMMERCIAL IMPACT

The programme investment was estimated to break even through retaining and advancing just two participants for one additional year.

Across four cohorts, RISE helped Ignite Energy Access build a stronger leadership bench across Africa, Europe, and China. The programme strengthened the organization’s succession pipeline, increased leadership readiness from within, reduced reliance on external hires, and contributed to greater gender diversity in senior leadership.

  • 32 alumni have been promoted or taken on acting assignments.

  • 2 female RISE alumni have since been promoted into Country, Regional, and Global leadership positions.

  • 50% of the organization’s successor pool are RISE alumni.

  • 38% women in the RISE alumni successor pool

  • 377% estimated ROI generated through employee retention alone, excluding additional productivity and organizational performance gains.

For CEOs, this means more bandwidth and strategic focus.

For investors, it means resilient leadership teams, reduced CEO burnout, and stronger business continuity across portfolios.

A proven 9-month Leadership Accelerator

RISE Accelerator is a selective pioneering leadership development journey designed for impact-driven scaleups across Africa, Asia & Europe.

CLARITY OF LEADERSHIP STYLE

Own and refine your authentic leadership approach.

INNER GAME STRENGTH

Build awareness of zone of genius strengths, blind spots, and upgrade belief patterns to lead more effectively.

RESILIENCE UNDER PRESSURE

Stay calm, composed, and effective in change and adversity.

STRATEGIC FOCUS & BALANCE

Create space for big-picture thinking while sustaining energy and work-life integration.

PROVEN TOOLKIT

Practical methods to prioritize, communicate, and elevate team performance.

DELEGATION MASTERY

Empower others and free up your time for what matters most.

What others are saying about RISE

“I was promoted to my dream job only 6 months after putting it in my Vision during the RISE Accelerator.

Since I started the program, I have been able to break out of an unhealthy, self-limiting mindset and literally shifted my belief systems. I am far more comfortable in my own skin, have more clarity on what truly matters, and experience less stress while taking on more responsibility.

I have been able to commence projects that I had been putting off for years due to this new mindset, and I have far more confidence in my ability to attain audacious goals.”

Akonte T.H., Deputy Country Director at Engie Energy Access (Nigeria)

“When we first started the program, I was self-conscious about speaking up in the group and in meetings at work. After the Accelerator, I feel I am already more bold and outspoken now, and don't hesitate to voice my opinion or ideas in management meetings.

And the 1v1 sessions, WOW!!! I am still flying, truly! The mind blocks exposed to me were absolutely life-changing - I'm not doubting myself anymore, and I'm being asked to apply for more senior positions.”

Latoya A.M, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Growth at Be Girl

“This program is unlike any other leadership training – it’s career-changing. I’ve learned to lead with empathy, communicate courageously, and delegate without guilt. I’m more grounded, confident, and balanced than ever.

The Mindful Venture program has been truly life-changing. I now manage projects more efficiently, delegate effectively, and have time for myself again. This experience transformed not only my leadership, but my wellbeing – I wish I had joined years ago.”

Natália Batista, Senior Portfolio Manager at GGF

Who is RISE built for?

  • C-suite leaders and Directors in scaling African/EU impact businesses

  • Department Heads in ‘just-scaled’ companies ready to step into senior roles with focus, confidence, and resilience

  • Companies that want to grow and retain internal talent instead of relying on outside hires

Timothy S., Engineering Validation and Performance Team Lead @ Ignite Energy Access

HEAR FROM GRADUATES WHO COMPLETED RISE

Brenda O., Regional Program Manager @ Global Wind Energy Council

HEAR FROM GRADUATES

WHO COMPLETED RISE

About the facilitating team

The Mindful Venture team partners with scaling impact-driven companies across Africa & Europe to build confident, balanced leaders who can thrive under pressure & catalyze cultures of high performance and drive sustainable growth.

MARIYA SOSHINSKAYA

Conscious Leadership Coach

Peak Performance Advisor

MARIYA SOSHINSKAYA

Conscious Leadership Coach

Peak Performance Advisor

Brings 15+ years across Africa, Europe, and the US, with a background in finance, sustainable development, and strategy from her years in development banking.

Trusted by leaders from organizations like ENGIE Energy Access, Yalelo, and FMO,  she is known for creating programs that go beyond skill-building to drive deep mindset shifts and lasting culture change.

Grounded in neuroscience, mindfulness, and leadership science, her facilitation blends rigor with play, helping leaders address complex issues and tough conversations with clarity and courage. Her work consistently enables leaders and teams not only to perform at a higher level, but to transform how they show up—scaling impact with more resilience, authenticity, and ease.

SONIA KICHONCHO-REES

Executive Coach & Facilitator

Mindful Venture Program Alumni

SONIA KICHONCHO-REES

Executive Coach & Facilitator

Mindful Venture Program Alumni

20+ years of experience in coaching leaders across diverse, high-growth environments to build emotional intelligence, resilience, and confidence in hard conversations.

Facilitated leadership development for the African Food Fellowship and other international private sector and humanitarian organizations.

Known for creating safe, results-driven spaces where leaders strengthen focus, handle stakeholder pressure, and step into bigger roles with clarity.

Together, Mariya and Sonia facilitate the RISE Accelerator, supported by a diverse pool of cross-cultural leadership coaches with a wide range of sector expertise and language capabilities. This ensures every participant has access to coaching that reflects their context, culture, and unique leadership challenges.

Let’s explore if it’s a fit.

Curious if RISE could help your business create a strong leadership bench?

Participation in RISE is by invitation only.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

If it feels aligned, let’s talk. No pitch. Just genuine support for what you’re stepping into.