The Leading Women Executives program addresses three critical elements for success – leadership skill building, organizational support and ongoing networking. Participants emerge from the program with three, distinct plans: a personal action plan to achieve their career goals; a plan to help advance their team or sphere of influence; and a company action plan to effect meaningful changes in their organization.
have acquired new, strategic leadership skills
have been given expanded responsibilities in their organization
have increased their commitment to developing other women
would recommend the program to other women executives
leverage their leadership abilities with greater confidence
The program is held two times per year, with a Spring and Fall cycle. Each program cycle consists of three, multi-day modules – a blend of in-person and virtual sessions. The research-based curriculum is anchored in actionable ideas, allowing participants to apply their learnings between modules and discuss insights gained with their peer boards.
Our curriculum focuses on applied research about leadership and gender, while providing effective strategies and insights for advancing women leaders. Interactive sessions are designed to engage, bring awareness, and transform participants.
Dates & Curriculum
World-class academic faculty and business practitioners who are leaders in their field explore new concepts through discussions, simulations, and peer activities. As part of every module, participants share candid conversations with senior executives and sitting CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies about effective leadership.
Faculty & Executive Speakers
Each company sends 3-4 participants, building a network of female leaders within their organization who can help effect cultural or structural changes to support the advancement of women.
Participating Companies
Participants are placed in carefully curated, smaller peer boards within their class. This accelerates participants’ ability to cultivate a strategic network and becomes a valuable resource for professional viewpoints and ongoing support.
Each class is comprised of approximately 55-60 women from 15-20 Fortune 1000 companies, representing a breadth of business roles, industries, and geographies. All participants are CEO or CHRO-nominated and have an average of 15-22 years of experience.
Participants are paired with a senior-level executive, known as an advocate, from their company. Advocates are selected from outside the participant’s direct reporting relationships to help expand her network, provide corporate insights and professional guidance, and act as a partner for organizational change.
Modules incorporate a strategic blend of in-person and virtual sessions, with time between sessions to apply insights and experiment with new ideas. Beyond the program, ongoing engagement and learning opportunities are provided through in-person events and digital resources, including webinars, podcasts and a private LinkedIn group.
Podcast | A Seat at the Table
Strategic networking, learning and peer support continue after the program, through in-person and virtual events held throughout the year. This exclusive community of women leaders is a valuable resource for ongoing professional and personal development.
News, Resources & EventsOur curriculum focuses on applied research about leadership and gender, while providing effective strategies and insights for advancing women leaders. Interactive sessions are designed to engage, bring awareness, and transform participants.
Dates & CurriculumWorld-class academic faculty and business practitioners who are leaders in their field explore new concepts through discussions, simulations, and peer activities. As part of every module, participants share candid conversations with senior executives and sitting CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies about effective leadership.
Faculty & Executive SpeakersEach company sends 3-4 participants, building a network of female leaders within their organization who can help effect cultural or structural changes to support the advancement of women.
Participating CompaniesParticipants are placed in carefully curated, smaller peer boards within their class. This accelerates participants’ ability to cultivate a strategic network and becomes a valuable resource for professional viewpoints and ongoing support.
Each class is comprised of approximately 55-60 women from 15-20 Fortune 1000 companies, representing a breadth of business roles, industries, and geographies. All participants are CEO or CHRO-nominated and have an average of 15-22 years of experience.
Participants are paired with a senior-level executive, known as an advocate, from their company. Advocates are selected from outside the participant’s direct reporting relationships to help expand her network, provide corporate insights and professional guidance, and act as a partner for organizational change.
Modules incorporate a strategic blend of in-person and virtual sessions, with time between sessions to apply insights and experiment with new ideas. Beyond the program, ongoing engagement and learning opportunities are provided through in-person events and digital resources, including webinars, podcasts and a private LinkedIn group.
Podcast | A Seat at the TableStrategic networking, learning and peer support continue after the program, through in-person and virtual events held throughout the year. This exclusive community of women leaders is a valuable resource for ongoing professional and personal development.
News, Resources & Events“Leading Women Executives changed how I see myself…changed my capabilities…changed my vision of what is possible for me. This investment will pay dividends for years to come.”
Vice President, Card Operations, Discover
Leading Women Executives Fellow, 2020
“The role of the advocate is an integral part of the program and participants’ success. My advocate encouraged and empowered me to define my future before my future was defined for me.”
SVP & President, Ceilings Division, USG
CEO Perspectives Fellow, 2020; Leading Women Executives Fellow, 2012
“The women who have completed the Leading Women Executives program become great succession candidates who move up or move around in the company.”
Corporate Affairs and Chief Communication Officer, Constellation
Leading Women Executives Fellow, 2013
“There's a level of confidence that I see in our women leaders who have gone through the program -- they have a stronger view of themselves and how their role matters in terms of being better leaders and role models.”
Chief Human Resources Officer, UL Solutions
“The role playing and simulations allowed me to lead Walgreens’ IT response related to COVID -- I understood what to do and how to do it.”
Former Head of Portfolio Management, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Leading Women Executives Fellow, 2019
"Serving as an advocate has been an extremely interesting, meaningful and rewarding experience. I love what this program offers women leaders and their companies – valuable business perspectives, tools to build leadership and presence, practical strategies for navigating challenges and a community to build strong relationships."
Former Chief Financial Officer, McDonald's Corporation
CEO Perspectives Fellow, 2015
Leading Women Executives podcast, “A Seat at the Table” is for business professionals advancing to executive and enterprise levels of leadership. Monthly episodes focus on lessons in leadership and explorations of business strategies for success. Guests include Fortune 500 CEOs, business thought leaders, senior faculty from leading academic institutions and executive leaders from the Leading Women Executives and CEO Perspectives community.
With over 800 Fellows of the program, the Leading Women Executives community is comprised of talented women leaders representing a breadth of professional roles, industries and geographies. In-person events and virtual offerings provide Fellows with ongoing opportunities to expand their strategic networks.
"I met such magnificent women and will walk away empowered knowing that I have a great new network to support me going forward."
Senior Director, Global Accounts Retail Segment Lead, UL Solutions
Leading Women Executives Fellow, 2021
To learn more about the Leading Women Executives program and our exceptional Fellows community, please contact us.
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