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Women's Academy


The Women’s Academy is a 6–8-week programme for students that aims to inspire and encourage young women to join the fantastic world of finance. Over the course of the programme, participants gain real-world insights into Danske Bank – learning from our seasoned professionals, diving into our ways of working and getting inspired to consider careers in the banking sector.  

We currently have two editions of the Women Academy running: Our traditional and our Tech Edition. See below for more details. 

 

How to apply

Want to be part of the Women’s Academy? 

Apply to join the Women’s Academy Tech Edition
Apply here

Deadline to submit your application is September 7th. 


Applications for the traditional Women’s Academy Track open in November of 2025.

The Women's Academy has two seperate tracks...

Danske Bank now offers two separate Women’s Academy tracks! They take place at different times in the year, and cover different institutions of the bank. The first track is our traditional Women’s Academy, where you will be introduced to Large Corporates & Institutions and Group Risk Management. The second track is the Tech edition, where you will be introduced to the Technology & Services department at Danske Bank. 

Women's Academy


During weekly 3-hour sessions, you will get a sneak peek into how we work with some of the biggest corporates in the Nordics, while managing potential risks from a constantly changing external environment. If you are curious about the day-to-day operations and transactions happening on a busy trading floor, while managing investment risk and much more, this Academy is something for you! 

Our experts from a wide range of departments within Large Corporates and Institutions and Group Risk Management will deep dive into different areas of the bank, such as Corporate Finance, Trading, Asset Management, Investment Risk, Non-Financial Risks, and Market and Liquidity Risk. 

Format: Each weekly session is 3 hours long. They will consist of a mix of interactive presentations and workshops from Danske Bank employees and leaders, networking and a light dinner.  
Application Window: November  
Program Duration: 8 weeks, Starting January 2026 
Location: Danske Bank Headquarters, Copenhagen 

We will open up for applications in November 2025 

Women's Academy Tech Edition


We’re pleased to expand the Women’s Academy even further across the Danske Bank group!  

Our recently established TECH Edition of the programme invites you to explore how our colleagues are using innovative technology and cutting-edge tools to solve challenges and achieve our ambitious goals. In weekly 3-hour sessions, you’ll see first-hand how we’re purposefully using technology to transform what banking looks and feels like - from the power of Generative AI to robust cybersecurity, advanced data management, and beyond.  

 

Format: Each weekly session is 3 hours long. They consist of a mix of interactive presentations and workshops from Danske Bank employees and leaders, networking and a light dinner. 
Application Window: 13th of August – 7th of September 
Program Duration: 6 weeks, Starting week 43, 2025 
Location: Danske Bank Headquarters, Copenhagen 

Apply here!

What you gain from this experience


Participate in Women’s Academy with other motivated women, led by role models from Danske Bank.


  • Knowledge: Experience Danske Bank as a workplace from the inside: deep dive into different areas of the bank, see how we operate internally and learn from our colleagues who are driving the future of banking forward.
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  • Network: Expand your network in the financial sector with both managers and employees in Danske Bank, to succeed with your future career in banking.
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  • Community: Get to know each other, inspire & learn from other women participating in Women’s Academy. You will become a part of the Women's Academy Alumni Network. This exclusive network hosts various networking events and sessions at Danske Bank, fostering a supportive and enriching environment.

The story

The Women’s Academy is an employee-founded grassroots initiative aimed at enlightening, inspiring, and empowering young women to reach their full potential within the financial sector. The Women’s Academy began in 2022 with a focus on Danske Bank’s Large Corporates & Institutions (LC&I) area and has since evolved and now also offers a Tech edition of the programme. 

At Danske Bank we are committed to improving diversity amongst our employees, as we strive to reflect the societies we are a part of today. We believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace will help us unlock the full potential of all our employees and become a better bank for all our stakeholders. 

Gender balance is our core ambition, yet we are also looking for diversity in employees’ backgrounds, experience, identities, etc. to mention a few. Women’s Academy is one of many D&I (Diversity & Inclusion) initiatives to strengthen Danske Bank’s identity and contribute to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive financial sector. 

The founders of Women's Academy

To us, creating Women's Academy was meant as an active measure towards changing the lack of female rolemodels in senior positions in some areas of the bank. This is our contribution to Danske Bank in encouraging women to partake in the financial sector and hopefully in some years we will have developed our own rolemodels.

Karoline Trier Findstrup, Senior Business Analyst, Non-Financial Risk & Yngvild Flaen Anvik, Senior Trader, STIR Trading

Founders of Women's Academy

Being part of facilitating the Women’s Academy again this year and meeting all the participants is truly a pleasure. The academy has been running for four years and contributing to its continued growth and position each year is inspiring. 
As the academy enhances career opportunities, networking, and mentorship among women—enriching our corporate culture by fostering diverse perspectives—we both feel honoured to be steering this initiative.  

Victoria Heger Witzeling, D&I Lead in LC&I and Magnus Ulstrup Jensen, D&I Lead in GRM

We’re delighted to expand Women’s Academy into Technology & Services, broadening its reach and impact across Danske Bank. By focusing on important topics like GenAI, Cyber Security, and Data & Analytics, we aim to inspire and equip the next-generation of women with the insights and connections that shape tomorrow’s banking industry.

Mette Buhl Christoffersen, D&I Lead in T&S                                        (With Strategy Consultants, Victor Windfeld & Carl Emil Riising Nielsen)

Meet some of our previous participants

“Participating in Women's Academy was a great opportunity to have insight into LC&I and the overall work environment the Bank has. As I personally hadn't had any experience in the banking world, it was a great chance to be introduced to several topics and roles that could be relevant for me after my studies.
Through the academy we were introduced to departments and met the people who worked there in a casual environment, which created dialogues that helped me envision whether an area was something I could see myself in. The academy also gave us a great network of the other participants. It inspired me to aim for a job in the banking sector, which led me to the job I have today in Risk Management at Danske Bank. I would 100 pct. Recommend the academy for any female students who might have an interest in finding out more about the industry and the bank.”
Sophie Olsgaard, Business Analyst, Capital Risk & Scenarios, Danske Bank

“Being part of the Women's Academy has been a truly fun and insightful experience. Not only did I build a strong network of like-minded women with similar aspirations and interests as me; I also engaged deeply in discussions aimed at the mission of creating a more gender-diverse financial sector.
Since participating I've started working at Danske Bank as a student, and I've found the environment to be open and trusting; a place where there is room to be curious. The valuable advice and discussions from the leaders visited Women's Academy have been invaluable as I navigate my role at the bank. The Academy, and its inspiring founders, has expanded my horizons and given me new opportunities. I would definitely recommend joining for both personal and professional growth.”
Ellen Bømler Hansen, Student transformation Consultant, BWoW COE, Danske Bank

 

 

“I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Women's Academy 2024. The Academy not only gave me valuable insight into Danske Bank and its culture but also provided a comprehensive overview of the various areas within LC&I. More importantly, it connected me with a network of talented and motivated women from universities across Denmark, which proved to be incredibly inspirational.
At the time, as I was completing the final semester of my Master’s degree, I was certain of my career in finance, yet uncertain of which field to choose. Participating in the Women's Academy inspired me to pursue a full-time role in Corporate Banking within LC&I, where I am currently employed. The Academy not only advanced my career, but it also gave me an exceptional network.If you’re looking to kick-start your career and gain invaluable insights into the world of finance, the Women’s Academy is an opportunity you do not want to miss!”
​Caroline Boye Holm, Relationship Manager, Corporate Banking LC&I, Danske Bank

Women's Academy is sponsored by the top management

 I am pleased to continue the sponsorship of the Women’s Academy, especially as the feedback we received from our participants during its first three years was so motivating. It is exciting to see the significant value it has brought to everyone involved, both the participants and us at Danske Bank. 
 
We have a challenge with gender diversity in the financial sector, especially in certain areas, and I believe that the way to change this is through information. If we can make these areas and what we do more transparent, and share knowledge on what we work with, I believe that this will naturally engage and interest more women as this is an exciting business to work in. As a bank we have a responsibility to play our role in furthering sustainable progress in business and people while doing our best to release their potential.

My vision is of a bank where we do not have the need for these programmes because the variety of backgrounds, experience and identities of our employees in all areas of the bank already reflect the diversity of society today. Until that day, I believe this programme is a step towards that future. I look forward to meeting all the bright young women joining us on this adventure.

Joachim Alpen, Head of Large Corporations & Institutions 

I am proud to join my colleagues in building an impactful track for the Women’s Academy, this time centered around our work with cutting-edge innovation and technology.

Technology is increasingly embedded in every aspect of our lives and it’s certainly in the midst of a rapid and significant change. At Danske Bank, we are committed to actively shaping this transformation. Programs like this empower students—particularly women—to make informed career choices and inspire them to step into key roles that are shaping the future of finance and banking.

It’s exciting we get to offer a cohort of ambitious women a behind-the-scenes view into how we do things at the bank - I have no doubt they’ll leave with inspiring insights and a meaningful new network!

Frans Woelders, Chief Operating Officer

I'm absolutely excited to keep the magic going with the Women’s Academy, especially now that we’re teaming up with LC&I once again. It’s been amazing to see the impact and the super positive feedback we got last year.

By opening up and bringing everyone closer to what we do in these two areas through the Women’s Academy, I believe we can spark a real passion for what happens at Danske Bank, shining a light on the essential and dynamic world of risk management.

I can't wait to meet all the women joining the academy. We’re going to learn from each other, grow together, and make some unforgettable memories.

Magnus Thor Agustsson, Chief Risk Officer

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