BRAC Bank completes first batch of women’s leadership programme ELEA

BRAC Bank has completed the first batch of its flagship women's leadership development programme, ELEA – Enlightened Leaders Exemplify Achievement, aimed at strengthening women's representation in senior leadership roles.

The programme was designed to provide high-potential women co-workers with a structured platform to build leadership capability, confidence, and strategic exposure, reflecting the bank's planned approach to supporting women's career advancement.

A total of 24 women co-workers from across different divisions completed the year-long leadership development journey.

Delivered across four progressive phases, ELEA guided participants from personal mastery and stress management to influencing, collaboration, strategic vision, and enterprise-level impact. The programme followed a blended development model combining formal training, mentoring, coaching, networking, cross-functional attachments, and project-based learning.

Participants undertook advanced leadership and strategic thinking modules focused on critical thinking, executive decision-making, and data-driven storytelling, alongside emotional intelligence development centred on self-awareness, empathetic leadership, and psychological safety. Core skill-building workshops strengthened confidence, stress management, influencing, and negotiation skills, enabling participants to navigate workplace dynamics and resolve challenges constructively.

Experiential learning formed a central component of the programme. Participants completed departmental and business attachments, applied learnings in their day-to-day roles, and worked on real business challenges. Each participant developed a strategic solution to an identified issue and presented the project to the Human Resources Leadership Team.

The initiative was developed by a cross-functional project team led by Farhana Sharmin Sumi, acting head of human resources, with contributions from experts across multiple functions.

Implemented in collaboration with BRAC Bank's internal women's platform, TARA Forum, the programme addressed structural and social barriers that often affect women's career progression.

Speaking at the event, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank, said leadership today requires adaptability, passion, and the ability to motivate teams amid constant change. He added that the bank plans to expand ELEA next year as part of its broader leadership and capacity-building agenda.

Chairperson Meheriar M Hasan attended the ceremony, reiterating the board's commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of women leaders through long-term investment in capability and confidence.

Through ELEA, BRAC Bank continues to position women's leadership development as a strategic priority, strengthening its future leadership pipeline with focus and accountability.