CASE STUDY

SMEC recognised that its talented female employees were often highly capable but lacked visibility, confidence, and senior leadership support to move into more influential roles. Many were operating under the radar, unsure how to express their ambitions or connect their technical excellence to leadership opportunities. The organisation saw an opportunity to support this talent pool while reinforcing inclusive leadership practices.

The Cultivate Advocate Program was delivered to 12 carefully selected sponsees and their sponsor leaders across ANZ. The 14-module program, delivered via Cultivate’s Gnowbe platform, was supported by live workshops and guided sponsor-sponsee conversations. Each sponsee was matched with a senior leader who could open doors, offer strategic advice, and build confidence through visibility and advocacy.

The program fostered stronger relationships across the organisation, encouraged self-advocacy, and helped participants surface their value and leadership potential. Sponsors embraced their role as connectors and amplifiers, while sponsees used the program to develop clarity, communication skills, and confidence. The experience empowered emerging talent and reinforced SMEC’s commitment to equity and inclusive growth.

Sponsees reported feeling more motivated, seen, and supported in their roles. Many described a mindset shift—from delivering in the background to actively shaping their careers. Sponsors appreciated the practical tools that helped them guide others more intentionally.