Women's Leadership Program

Today’s leaders are expected to influence across organizations, navigate uncertainty, communicate with confidence, and lead through increasingly complex challenges. At the same time, many professionals continue to face barriers to visibility, sponsorship, and advancement.

The Women’s Leadership Program is designed to help participants strengthen core leadership capabilities while building the confidence, relationships, and strategic perspective needed to lead effectively in complex organizational environments. Through a cohort-based experience, participants engage with faculty and peers in conversations focused on leadership, influence, communication, negotiation, and career advancement.

The program is open to anyone interested in the topics presented.

What You Will Learn

• How to navigate organizational dynamics, power, and informal influence
• Strategies for negotiation, advocacy, and difficult conversations
• Approaches to leading effectively in complex and uncertain environments
• Techniques for strengthening executive presence and communication
• How to build visibility, sponsorship, and long-term career momentum
• Greater self-awareness around strengths, leadership style, and personal impact

Key Benefits

Participants will:

• Strengthen their ability to lead with confidence and authenticity
• Navigate organizational complexity and stakeholder dynamics more effectively
• Improve executive presence and leadership visibility
• Build stronger capabilities in negotiation, communication, and conflict management
• Develop strategies for career growth, sponsorship, and advancement
• Expand their professional network through a collaborative cohort experience

You will leave with practical leadership tools, stronger self-awareness, and a broader network of peers and mentors to support your continued growth and leadership impact.

2026-27 Program Topics & Dates

• Power, Politics, & Informal Leadership - October 6, 2026
• Negotiation, Advocacy, and Difficult Conversations - November 13, 2026
• Leading in Complex Environments - December 8, 2026
• Leading Self: Strengths, Identity, and Leadership Foundations - January 27, 2027
• Executive Presence and Communication - February 24, 2027
• Advancing Your Career: Visibility, Sponsorship, and Next Steps - April 7, 2027

Who Should Attend

• Emerging and experienced leaders seeking to strengthen their leadership effectiveness
• Professionals navigating career growth, visibility, or organizational complexity
• Individuals seeking to build confidence in communication, negotiation, and influence
• Anyone interested in advancing leadership capability and organizational impact

Location & Modality
In-Person, Charles F. Knight Center on WashU's Danforth Campus

Register