The Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA) is dedicated to empowering, enriching, and embracing women in our region, facilitating their leadership development.
Mission
To prepare women for a lifetime of leadership.
Purpose
As leaders, women are often called upon to offer care, intelligence, and stability at home and work, ranging from business to medicine, church, education, and broader community services. This array of leadership skills is often taken for granted, but in our Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), we are dedicated to empowering, enriching, and embracing women in our region, facilitating their leadership development. WLA is designed for those who identify as women and aspire to become bold leaders representing greater equity, inclusivity, and excellence in their fields. Through expert speakers, hands-on experiences, community service, and a personalized portfolio project, the Women’s Leadership Academy participants will develop customizable skills in a network of diverse women sharing a commitment to their beloved community. Unlike many other leadership institutes, this academy is committed to reaching women in various life pathways and assisting them in embracing their voices, elevating their leadership capacity, and empowering them for a lifetime of leadership.
Nominations for the 2025 Women’s Leadership Academy are now open. To make a nomination click here!
Women’s Leadership Academy
Through expert speakers, hands-on experiences, and community service, the Women’s Leadership Academy participants will develop customizable skills in a network of diverse women sharing a commitment to their beloved community. This 6-month academy is committed to reaching women in various life pathways and assisting them in embracing their voices, elevating their leadership capacity, and empowering them for a lifetime of leadership.
What makes WLA Unique
- Women Centric
- Personal and professional leadership development
- Community Service Project
- Nomination and selection process, including interview
Leadership Session Topics
- Leadership (Retreat)- Explore the fundamentals of leadership, identify their leadership style, and understand the benefits of each style through various experiences.
- Leadership in Education – Learn more about leadership in Pre-K – K12 education, higher education, private education, and adult education programs for students with different abilities, and see educational practices’ impact on our community.
- Leadership in Government – Understand local and state government leadership, including finding a voice for advocating, running for office, and even finding opportunities for authority beyond institutional power.
- Leadership in Business – Witness leadership in business and technology through innovation centers and other local workforce resources. Learn more about imposter syndrome and opportunities like branding and self-advocacy.
- Leadership in Community Development – Review aspects of leadership in community development, human services, and the nonprofit sector.
- Leadership in Healthcare– Examine aspects of leadership in the healthcare field and mental health care, self-care, and advocacy roles in caring for others.
The Value of WLA
- 2-day retreat in January 2025
- 5 Leadership-focused sessions (Feb-June)
- A graduation ceremony in July
- Featured publications on social media
- Community Service Project
- Opportunity to help shape this new leadership network
- Exposure to leadership in our community
- Alumni Networking
- Preference at WLN Events
Cost to Attend
The enrollment fee for the 2025 Women’s Leadership Academy is $350.00. Scholarships are available, and you may indicate your interest in applying for a scholarship on the WLA Application Form. Undergraduate student participants selected will automatically receive a scholarship to attend.
Applications are open for the 2025 WLA Class.
You’ll graduate with . . .
- Confidence to lead
- Support to transform your life and the lives of others
- Strategies that help you find yourself
- Certificate of completion
- Lifelong network of friends
WLA COHORT 2024 – SERVICE PROJECT
Women’s Leadership Academy Cohort 2024 and City of Hope Outreach (CoHo) collaborated to launch Single Mothers Accessing Resources Together (S.M.A.R.T.), a series of workshops designed to empower single mothers with community resources. The workshop series will address the challenges single mothers face when balancing work and family. The first workshop was held on April 27 at Hendrix College’s Student Life & Technology Center. Mothers learned how to prepare quick, easy, delicious, and affordable meals.
Workshop speakers shared valuable information on meal planning, grocery shopping and creative recipes appropriate for various dietary preferences. Participants tasted test recipes and access resources to learn techniques to make quick, healthy and delicious meals. The event was open to single mothers in Conway and surrounding areas, and registration was free.
For more information, email: becohosmart@gmail.com
PAST WLA EVENTS
WLA Committee:
Taine Duncan
Shaneil Ealy
Wendy Holbrook
For more information, contact:
The underwriting sponsor for the Academy is the Central Arkansas Open.