Santander is actively seeking nominations for its SW50 programme, an initiative aimed at bolstering women in executive leadership and fostering more human-centered approaches to business. With a nomination deadline of January 7, the program highlights the achievements of female leaders and provides access to a prestigious leadership course at the London School of Economics. This year, program alumnae Patrícia Candeias and Isabel Ventura are championing the opportunity, sharing their experiences and encouraging other qualified professionals to apply.
Santander is seeking nominations through January 7 for its SW50 program, designed to support women executives and promote more human-centered leadership models. Patrícia Candeias and Isabel Ventura, both program alumni, are encouraging other female leaders to apply.
The bank is looking for women with proven leadership experience and a commitment to positively impacting their organizations and communities. The program offers access to a global network of leaders dedicated to ethical, inclusive, and sustainable transformation. “We want to continue to empower and highlight the talent of women who inspire, connect, and generate purposeful impact in their fields,” said Victoria Zuasti, director of global programs, scholarships and content at Santander Open Academy. The prize includes an intensive program at the London School of Economics.
Overcoming the hesitation to apply is a key first step, according to Patrícia Candeias, a 48-year-old economist with an MBA from AESE, and a 20-year veteran of the corporate world. She was an executive at MEO when she first learned about the SW50 program from Banco Santander.
“I found out I had been accepted, to my surprise, to be honest,” she told Jornal Económico (JE).
“I read a news article about the Santander scholarships, hesitated, but ultimately took the plunge.” Once accepted, she faced what she describes as a common challenge for women: imposter syndrome. “I started looking at the list of the 50 women who had been chosen and wondered, ‘Me!?… Why me!?… What am I doing here? There must have been a mistake in the casting…’” she recalled. This was in 2019.
Leading a company, a team, or even a small group requires making difficult decisions, particularly when people are involved. And often, that decision-making process is best done in solitude. Having a support network to turn to, even indirectly, can be invaluable, especially when others have faced similar challenges. This is one of the key benefits of the SW50 program.
“We share common values, and it’s common for us to offer our perspectives and experiences, building richer and more sustainable growth scenarios. Although the contexts and situations are different, because we come from different industries, when we talk about personal relationships, the issues often overlap,” she explained.
The SW50 program provided Candeias with knowledge, confidence, and a valuable network of contacts both nationally and internationally. It even led to unexpected friendships. “I had believed that after 40, it becomes difficult to form deep friendships… how wrong I was!” The program introduced her to Marta, Ana, Vanessa, and Maria. “It felt like we were chosen specifically for each other, as if we had known each other for years. They are now part of my close circle of friends,” she revealed.
Alongside hard work, dedication, organization, and method, Candeias found renewed motivation. “I like to think that sources of inspiration start at home, at the base, and that’s what drives me every day: knowing that my daughters look at me and think, ‘One day, when I grow up, maybe I’d like to be a little bit like my mom…’”
Candeias encouraged Isabel Ventura, a professional acquaintance, to apply for Santander’s programs.
Isabel Ventura, a graduate in Business Administration from ISCTE, was recognized in 2021 as one of 125 Women Emerging Leaders, another Santander program recognizing women from 15 countries with high leadership potential and transformative impact. This year, she received the SW50 Santander award, recognizing the 50 women leaders with the greatest impact and potential for high-level positions, solidifying her position as a reference in technological leadership, innovation, and strategy in the healthcare sector.
At 38, the Deputy Director of Systems and Information Technologies at Grupo Luz Saúde is embarking on a four-year project that combines her passion for technology with a commitment to its responsible use. “My mission is to learn, research, and create scientific content to contribute to more informed and strategic decision-making regarding technology,” she told JE.
Ventura aims to shift the perception of technology, moving beyond the often-hyped narratives. “There are so many biases,” she noted, pointing to advertising, retail sales tactics, and the current frenzy surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).
When it comes to AI, the questions are numerous. “Adopt, adopt, but what about the data? Where does it go?” she questioned, emphasizing the need for serious and reliable information and critical thinking.
At the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra, the leader of the Digital Innovation team at Grupo Luz Saúde, responsible for non-clinical innovation projects and digital transformation initiatives, is researching topics such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation in healthcare, value-based healthcare, and low-code platforms. Her doctoral studies in Governance, Knowledge, and Innovation are proving deeply engaging.
“It’s passion, a desire to learn more, and a belief in the impact of this project,” she emphasized.
Balancing these commitments with full-time work and frequent travel between Alenquer, where she lives, and Coimbra, where she attends classes weekly, requires significant dedication. Ventura acknowledges sacrificing sleep and personal time. “You have to cut back on everything, and obviously, family suffers the most. There are no complete weekends,” she admitted, revealing the secret to her continued involvement and determination: “When you have a real desire and surround yourself with the right people, both at work and in your personal life, I sincerely believe things happen.”
Indeed, Isabel Ventura makes things happen.
The SW50 program runs concurrently in nine local editions – in addition to Portugal, in Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. Each country will select 50 national finalists, who will have access to an online leadership course for women taught by the London School of Economics (LSE) and participate in a public recognition event.
The 450 finalists from the local editions can compete in the global phase, where 50 international leaders will be selected to participate in the in-person program in London.
The 50 executives selected in 2025 will be announced at a later date.
