Her Turn Class of 2026 completes its journey

The Europe-wide project, launched by the President Kersti Kaljulaid Foundation (PKF), founded by the former President of Estonia, together with Miltton and Out of the Box International (OTB), focuses on advancing gender equality and leadership opportunities for women in sports. 

When the Her Turn Class of 2026 first came together in Tallinn in April, the room was filled with 25 women from different countries, sports, organisations and backgrounds. They arrived with different experiences and ambitions, but with something important in common: a readiness to grow, to challenge themselves and to take a bigger role in shaping the future of sport.

Five months later, on 17–18 September, the cohort reunited in Helsinki for the final in-person seminar of the programme. And this time, the room felt different.

Over the months between Tallinn and Helsinki, participants had worked on their personal development plans, met in mentoring groups, joined online sessions and reflected on their own leadership. They had been challenged to think about their goals, their impact, their voice and the networks they need around them. Helsinki was a chance to bring all of that together.

The two days in Helsinki were built around one central idea: there is no single way to be a leader.

Participants explored strategic decision-making in sport with Kati Mälkki-Karttunen and Emilia Rantanen from the Sports Institute of Finland Vierumäki and worked with Miltton’s psychologist and leadership consultant Eva-Maria Kangro to better understand different leadership styles – and what kind of leadership feels authentic to them.

The programme also turned to one of the realities every leader eventually faces: conflict. Former LHV Pank CEO Kadri Kiisel led a workshop on preventing and resolving conflicts, while also sharing her own leadership experience during an evening conversation.

Throughout the seminar, participants were able to learn from women whose leadership journeys have taken them into very different arenas. Marianne Vikkula, former professional athlete and today’s CEO of Wolt, and Kristiina Pekkola, Chair of the Swedish Judo Federation and Vice-President for Education at the European Judo Union, shared their experiences, choices and lessons from leadership.

But Helsinki was not only about listening to others. It was also about looking back at how far each participant had come with the help of our lead mentor Annika Arras from Miltton. 

created to give women in sport the space, tools, confidence and network to think bigger about their own role in leadership – and then take action.

Over five months, the first cohort has questioned old assumptions, practised new skills, built connections across borders and sports, and spent time thinking about a question that can easily get lost in the pace of everyday work: What kind of leader do I want to become? The answer will be different for every participant.

For some, the next step may be applying for a new position. For others, it may mean speaking up more confidently, taking responsibility for a bigger project, joining a board, building a stronger network or simply recognising that they are already more ready to lead than they thought. What matters is that the next step happens.

Because increasing the number of women in sports leadership is not only about encouraging women to aim higher. It is also about creating networks, opportunities and environments where talented women can grow, be visible and have real influence. And this is what Her Turn is all about.

And while the Class of 2026 now becomes the first generation of Her Turn alumni, we are already getting ready for what comes next. A new Her Turn cohort will begin its journey in February 2027 – and the call for applications is coming soon. 

So, if you are a woman working in or around sport and ready to grow, challenge yourself and take the next step towards leadership, keep an eye on Her Turn web and LinkedIn.