Rise AV announces 2026 Elevate cohort supporting the next...

Rise AV has announced the 23 women selected for its 2026 Elevate programme, bringing together professionals from 20 organisations across the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.

Now in its second year, Elevate is a six-week management and leadership development programme designed to equip women with the practical skills to lead teams, manage people and make confident business decisions.

With the AV industry facing an ongoing skills shortage, Elevate also addresses a critical challenge: retaining and developing the experienced talent already working within the industry.

We spend a lot of time talking about how to attract new people into AV, but we need to put just as much energy into keeping the talented people we already have, said Rachael Hamilton, Managing Director at Rise AV.

Women are still underrepresented in leadership, and we cant afford to lose their experience and potential as they progress through their careers. Elevate is about investing in that talent, giving women the tools and opportunities to grow into leadership roles and helping businesses build stronger teams for the future.

The programme combines interactive learning with practical application, covering leadership strengths, team motivation, difficult conversations, managing change, commercial decision-making and communication. Delegates will also benefit from peer learning and connections with women facing similar challenges across the industry.

Each delegate will be supported by a senior AV industry leader through Rise AVs unique Jedi coaching model. This years Jedis are Martine Dodwell-Bennett (Absen), Wayne Mason (Neat), Gary Keene (University of the Arts) and Danielle Myburgh (Pixel Global).

Meet the 2026 Elevate cohort

Amy Amesbury Director of Partner Marketing, Kinly

Kim Beard Product Development and Account Manager, Digibox

Anna Bell Head of Operations, Southby Productions

Danielle Bond Operations Director, MADE AV

Emily Burrows Associate Director, Plaster PR

Carina Dengler Regional Sales Manager, QSC

Amanda Greaves Client Services and Sales Manager, Electrosonic

Danielle Hastings Sales Team and HR Coordinator, Hive

Ashleigh Harding Sales Manager, End User Sales Team, Sharp Displays

Stephanie Izzi Global Head of Brand Awareness and Thought Leadership, Shure

Emma Kemp Purchasing Manager UK, Diversified

Kelly Legood Financial Controller UK&I, Midwich

Rebecca Lloyd Global Program Director, Kinly

Elena Lown Technical Support Manager, Brompton

Laura McCarthy Business Development Manager, Hereworks

Cassy Anyiam BDR Manager, Neat

Amy Pusey Head of Sales and Vendor Operations, Konekt

Ruth Read Director, blooloop

Sandra Schr der Manager Audio Foundation, Sennheiser

Lauren Sweeney UX/UI Designer, 7th Sense

Carys Thomas Steer Head of Installs, Sales & Special Projects, Southby Productions

Fay Vincent Visual Technologies Facilitator, James Hutton

Georgia Watson European Marketing Executive, Konekt

Thanks to the support of Rise AVs sponsors, the programme is heavily subsidised, with places costing £550 £950 depending on company size, against an estimated commercial value of £3,000 per delegate.

Rise AV thanks its Global Headline Partners, QSC and Neat; Gold Sponsors, Diversified, Audiologic, Sennheiser, Kinly and Shure; and its Silver and Bronze Sponsors for their continued support.

Looking ahead to 2027

Elevate forms part of Rise AVs wider commitment to attracting, developing and retaining talent across the industry.

Organisations interested in supporting women through the October 2027 programme are encouraged to plan ahead and include Elevate in their professional development budgets.

Register your interest in Elevate 2027.

For more information, visit www.rise-av.com.

LINK:	https://kitplus.com/news/rise-av-announces-2026-elevate-cohort-support...
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