Case Study · Women’s Leadership · Financial Services
Empower. Vision. Elevate.
Opening Nationwide’s national women’s leadership programme with a day of self-awareness, influence and voice.
When Nationwide launched EVE — its women’s leadership programme — Luminescence’s Anna Marsden designed and delivered the opening module, and set the standard for everything that followed. Every participant left very satisfied. Every one of them gave Anna a full five stars.
"Your session was one of the most highly rated and well-received across the programme — it resonated strongly and left a lasting impression."
Very satisfied with the session
Rated Anna a full 5 stars
Met all four learning outcomes
Full day, in person
Modules in the national programme
THE CHALLENGE
Set the tone for a national women’s leadership programme
Nationwide wanted to invest in its emerging female leaders through EVE — Empower, Vision, Elevate — a three-module national women’s leadership programme. The opening module would shape the whole experience: it had to build genuine self-awareness and send participants away energised.
Module 1 needed to do something subtle but powerful: help women reconnect with their own story, values and strengths; recognise the influence they already hold; and find the confidence to use their voice — all while creating the psychological safety for an honest, personal day.
It also had to meet the real, evidenced challenges these leaders face — imposter and minority-stress experiences, the uneven mental load at home, and the persistent gender pay gap — without ever feeling heavy. Through their delivery partnership with First Ascent (Oakridge), Nationwide turned to Anna Marsden of Luminescence to design and deliver it.
16 emerging female leaders, together for a full day in London.
Design and deliver the foundational “Knowing Me” module.
Open the programme so strongly it raises the bar for every module that follows.
THE APPROACH
“Knowing Me” — a full, interactive day of self-discovery
Anna built a day that moved between reflection, discussion and practical tools — grounded in behavioural science and the Emergenetics model, with pre-work and breakout exercises so the learning was felt, not just heard.
Your journey so far
“Lots of light-bulb moments.”
Each leader mapped her own career story and drew out the themes, using a visual journey map and a structured reflective model.
Personal values & shield
“A chance to reflect on my values.”
Participants clarified the values that truly motivate them, and built a personal shield to tell their own story.
Wheel of life
“Good time to reflect.”
A chance to step back and look honestly at balance across work and life — and decide what to do about it.
Influence & your power net
“A tangible tool I’ll take forward into my role.”
Using French & Raven’s sources of power and Brené Brown’s types of power, leaders mapped their real influence — and how to use it without formal authority.
Voice & assertiveness
“I feel very empowered.”
Self-advocacy and push/pull influencing, set against an honest look at imposter and minority-stress experiences.
Confident feedback
“Confidence in asking for and providing feedback.”
Practising the AID model to give and receive feedback that lands — a skill these leaders use every day.
THE RESULTS
A clean sweep — and women who left empowered
“Amazing session! I learned so much and the energy in the room was great. It was very engaging, I understand the topics more fully, and I know the people in the room better as a result of this session.”
Every one of the 16 participants was very satisfied with the session and its content, and every one rated Anna a full five stars. 94% strongly agreed she showed real expertise, and 100% agreed she was flexible, challenged their thinking, and made the day relevant to them.
Most importantly, the module did its job: 100% of participants agreed they could now articulate their values, see where their influence sits, draw on a framework for difficult conversations, and understand what their journey tells them about where they’re heading. They didn’t just enjoy the day — they left with tools they could use the next morning.
BY THE NUMBERS
A consistent partner to Nationwide
Anna’s earlier STRIDE leadership session for Nationwide scored just as highly — 10 of 10 very satisfied, with a full five-star facilitator rating and 100% agreeing it improved their self-awareness.
PARTICIPANT VOICES
WHAT NATIONWIDE’S LEADERS SAID
“Anna was a joy to have as our facilitator. She was very engaging and made sure everyone felt comfortable and able to share.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed this session — Anna was fantastic, her energy contagious, and I have so much food for thought. Thank you, Anna!”
“Extensive knowledge and enthusiasm which captivated me throughout the session. I feel very empowered walking away from this session.”
“The Power Nets tool and conversation was brilliant — it’s given me a tangible tool I know I’ll take forward with me into my role.”
IN PARTNERSHIP
Delivered in partnership with Oakridge & First Ascent Training
Luminescence’s Anna Marsden designed and delivered EVE Module 1 as a trusted associate of Oakridge and First Ascent Training — long-standing partners of Luminescence and the team Nationwide trusted to shape this programme.
First Ascent Group → https://www.firstascentgroup.com/
The Oakridge Centre (part of First Ascent Group) → https://www.firstascentgroup.com/oakridge-centre/