“Leadership is not about having the loudest voice — it’s about using your voice to uplift others.”
In early 2025, I received one of the most exciting emails of my life — I’d been selected for McKinsey & Company’s prestigious Next Generation Women Leaders (NGWL) Asia Pacific 2025 Program!
From over 10,000+ global applicants, less than 5% were selected — and I was deeply honored to be one of them.
This wasn’t just a milestone; it was a reflection of resilience, purpose, and the belief that leadership begins with authenticity.
đź’« What Is NGWL?
The Next Generation Women Leaders Program is a transformational leadership experience designed by McKinsey & Company to empower, uplift, and inspire the next generation of women changemakers across the Asia-Pacific region.
It focuses on developing leadership potential, communication, and problem-solving skills — while connecting participants with inspiring mentors and global leaders.
đź“© The Application & Selection Journey
The process began with a thought-provoking essay round, where I reflected deeply on what leadership means to me — not as a title, but as an opportunity to create meaningful impact.
Each essay challenged me to express my values, strengths, and aspirations with authenticity and clarity.
Then came the digital assessment — McKinsey’s 110-minute Solve Assessment, a gamified test simulating real-life consulting challenges.
It included scenarios like:
🌿 Ecosystem Creation
⛰️ Redrock Study
🌻 Plant Defense
This wasn’t just a test — it was a complete experience that pushed me to think strategically, act analytically, and grow like a consultant.
Through logical reasoning, data interpretation, and critical decision-making, I learned to think in structures — to find clarity even in complexity.
🌸 The NGWL Event — May 29–31, 2025
When I officially joined the NGWL’25 cohort, it truly felt like stepping into a global community of future leaders.
The virtual event was filled with inspiration and learning, featuring:
đź’¬ Interactive workshops on leadership, influence, and communication
🎤 Keynotes from trailblazing McKinsey consultants and leaders
🤝 Networking with brilliant women from across Asia-Pacific
Each session was designed not just to teach, but to transform the way we approach leadership and collaboration.
💡 The Learning Journey — Problem Solving & Communication
In June, I was invited to attend McKinsey’s “Problem Solving & Communicate Your Findings” Workshop, an exclusive continuation of the program.
This session helped me master how to:
- Break down complex challenges into structured frameworks
- Think like a consultant using logic, empathy, and data
- Communicate insights with impact and clarity
It taught me that the essence of consulting isn’t just solving problems — it’s solving them collaboratively and with purpose.
🌍 McKinsey Unpacked Sessions — September & November
My learning didn’t stop there.
I attended McKinsey Unpacked – September Session, which offered a deeper look into the firm’s culture, diversity, and global impact stories.
Now, I’m beyond excited to attend McKinsey Unpacked – November 7, 2025, featuring inspiring leaders such as Blair Ciesil, Marie Padberg, Rima Assi, Tracy Francis, and many more — continuing this journey of growth and discovery.
🌱 Key Takeaways
This entire experience taught me invaluable lessons that go beyond professional skills:
- 🌼 Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
- đź‘ The most powerful thing a woman can do is support another woman.
- 💫 Leadership is not about authority — it’s about authenticity and empathy.
- đź“Š Clarity, curiosity, and collaboration build lasting impact.
đź’™ Gratitude
A heartfelt thank you to the McKinsey NGWL Team and the mentors who made this journey truly special —
Nicole Morgan, Edoliya, Doorva Aggrawal, Deva Grant, Subrat Tripathi, Gurleen Ahluwalia, Shilpi Dhingra, and Ganesan.
Your guidance, warmth, and encouragement shaped this experience into something deeply personal and empowering.
🚀 Looking Ahead
The NGWL’25 journey has strengthened my commitment to data-driven leadership, consulting, and AI-powered strategy — where purpose meets impact.
As I continue growing in the field of AI and Analytics, I aim to apply these lessons to create solutions that combine technology, empathy, and strategy to solve real-world challenges.
If you’re aspiring to be part of NGWL or exploring consulting opportunities, I’d love to help!
Check my insights here 👇
🎯 Assessment Tips & Essay Guidance: https://topmate.io/farha_kousar/1565931
🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhakousar
✨ Final Thought
True leadership is when your success creates pathways for others to rise with you.
đź“ť About the Author
👩‍💻 Farha Kousar
AI & ML Graduate | IBM & Infosys Intern | McKinsey NGWL’25 | Community Captain @ Zuno | Open Source Contributor
Passionate about data analytics, leadership, and empowering women in tech.
đź“Ť LinkedIn | Topmate
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