Women's Leadership Program Overview
Organizations thrive and outperform their competitors when they have a strong pipeline of diverse talent from which to tap. The Women Leaders: Advancing Together leadership program is designed to strengthen that pipeline by empowering both rising leaders and senior leaders of any gender to drive impactful change within their organizations.
In this leadership development program, participants in each cohort will develop and master critical skills they need to succeed and advance their careers.
These cohorts later unite for dynamic joint sessions focused on cultivating productive relationships and creating empowering networks that drive mutual growth and success.
Benefits of this Women’s Leadership Program
Women Leaders: Advancing Together is a unique and intensive leadership program designed to promote the advancement of talented and motivated women into leadership roles. The program is focused on actionable takeaways that will enable leaders at all levels of an organization to empower your team, grow your organization, and advance your career.
Through small group discussions and exercises, you’ll master critical skills in key areas such as leadership style and brand, strategic thinking and problem-solving, and creating and leveraging perceptions, for example. By grounding the exercises in real-world challenges and solutions, you’ll find that you can apply the takeaways immediately when you return to the office.
Benefits for Rising Leaders
Rising leaders will gain targeted skills and insights that empower them to advance confidently within their organization. During the program, they’ll engage in meaningful exercises to identify their unique leadership style and build a career roadmap tailored to their aspirations.
In the weeks following the program, rising leaders will work on an action plan project designed to help them set and achieve their career goals. This project will serve as a personalized framework, providing a strategic perspective on their career trajectory.
Additionally, an individual coaching session will offer guidance, helping them navigate challenges and apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings.
Benefits for Senior Leaders
Senior leaders will enhance their executive leadership abilities while gaining practical tools to champion the development of high-performing team members. Throughout the program, they’ll focus on key leadership strategies, such as vision-setting, strategic prioritization, and cultivating a high-performing culture.
After the program, senior leaders will develop a tailored action plan addressing specific challenges within their organizational role and be able to tap into a new network of like-minded senior professionals they met in the program. This action plan supports their long-term influence by equipping them with strategies to retain talent, create succession plans, and foster a more loyal, empowered team.
A post-program coaching session provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate with a coach, strategize solutions to overcome obstacles, and apply program insights effectively. This guidance will help senior leaders drive meaningful change in their teams and organizations, creating lasting impact.
Who Should Attend this Women’s Leadership Training?
This unique program is designed to support the development of both rising and senior leaders—while also empowering senior leaders to actively champion the growth and advancement of emerging talent. While the program maintains a primary focus on women’s leadership and the specific challenges and opportunities women face in their careers, we welcome participants of all genders in both the rising leaders and senior leaders tracks. This unique structure allows for a comprehensive approach to leadership development that benefits everyone involved.
The rising leaders track equips professionals with the skills needed to advance into or within leadership roles. The senior leaders track empowers senior executives to refine their leadership skills while championing talent development.
| Rising Women Leaders | Senior Leaders |
|---|---|
The rising leaders track equips professionals with the skills needed to advance into or within leadership roles. This program is relevant for:
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The senior leaders track empowers senior executives to refine their leadership skills while championing career progression for their teams. It is ideal for executives who recognize their role in shaping a high-performing culture and in building a succession plan for diverse talent. This program is relevant for:
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Senior leaders attending as a pair should work closely with the rising leader in a management context. They should be in a position to mentor, guide, and potentially promote rising leaders within their organizations.
While the program will be especially beneficial for those who attend as a pair or group, group attendance is not required. Solo participants will also gain significant benefits from the program content.
Request Letter
Rising Leaders: Download and edit this request letter to convince your supervisor that attending this program will make you a better leader for your team and your organization.
Groups of two or more individuals from the same organization receive a discount. To take advantage of the group discount, please email ExecDev@DCE.Harvard.edu for further instructions. Learn more about group discounts.
Curriculum
This intensive program involves a mix of highly interactive and engaging work sessions for each cohort (rising and senior leaders), as well as joint sessions and networking opportunities. For senior leaders, the program curriculum will focus on executive leadership skills and driving change at the top.
| Rising Leader Topics | Senior Leader Topics |
|---|---|
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In addition to networking opportunities, joint sessions for both rising leaders and senior leaders will enable all participants to work together to create inclusive workplace environments that will enable all leaders to succeed.
Program Requirements
Successful completion of all program components is required to earn the Certificate.
Rising Leaders:
- Complete self-paced pre-work in advance (watch videos, read articles, complete self-assessment).
- Attend the 5-day on-campus program.
- Complete a career roadmap project.
- Attend a one-on-one coaching session where you will present your project and receive valuable feedback.
Senior Leaders:
- Complete self-paced pre-work in advance (watch videos, read articles, complete self-assessment, review vision statement).
- Attend the 4.5-day on-campus program.
- Create an action plan.
- Attend a one-on-one coaching session where you will present your action plan and receive feedback.
Considering this program?
September Coaching Session
As part of this program, you will receive one individual coaching session. Sessions will take place October 15–22, 2025. Sign up for a slot during your program!
June Coaching Session
As part of this program, you will receive one individual coaching session. Sessions will take place July 8–15, 2026. Sign up for a slot during your program!
Instructors
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![Pamela Rucker]()
Pamela Rucker
Pamela is a featured speaker at CIO events in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She brings over 25 years of experience helping executives to understand their business drivers. Pamela earned a master's degree from Harvard University. -
![Areen Shahbari]()
Areen Shahbari
Areen Shahbari is a global executive educator and strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing leadership and innovation. She teaches in the Harvard Division of Continuing Education Professional & Executive Development programs and at Stanford University, and has trained leaders at Apple, Nike, Netflix, and government agencies around the world. Shahbari is also principal of Cactus Int. LLC, a consulting and training firm that partners with governments, Fortune 500 companies, and mission-driven organizations to develop leaders and executives. -
![Jill Slye]()
Jill Abruzese Slye
Jill Abruzese Slye, a Harvard instructor and public speaking consultant at the Harvard Kennedy School, brings over 30 years of business experience across industries including healthcare, finance, and technology. Recognized with Harvard's Petra Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award, she specializes in leadership communication and presentation skills, empowering leaders worldwide. Jill is also the author of Reinvesting in Your Rhetoric, a guide to enhancing professional communication. -
![Laurie Pascal]()
Laurie Pascal
Laurie Pascal is President of Pascal Coaching and Consulting LLC and a Senior Lecturer in Health Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she brings more than 30 years of industry experience in organizational behavior, strategy, and leadership to both traditional graduate and mid-career learners. Her consulting work with international and US organizations focuses on leadership and team development, organizational effectiveness, and effecting change. -
![Jackie Glenn]()
Jackie Glenn
Jackie Glenn is the Founder and CEO of Glenn Inclusion & HR Solutions and the best-selling author of Lift As I Climb. A former Fortune 100 executive, she helps organizations drive cultural transformation and leadership growth. In addition to teaching, Jackie serves as Board Chair of the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket. -
![Stacey Blake-Beard.]()
Stacy Blake-Beard
Stacy Blake-Beard is a renowned scholar, consultant, speaker, mentor, and coach. She is a faculty member at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dr. Blake-Beard’s area of expertise is working with organizational leaders to identify challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Instructors
-
![Pamela Rucker]()
Pamela Rucker
Pamela is a featured speaker at CIO events in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She brings over 25 years of experience helping executives to understand their business drivers. Pamela earned a master's degree from Harvard University. -
![Areen Shahbari]()
Areen Shahbari
Areen Shahbari is a global executive educator and strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing leadership and innovation. She teaches in the Harvard Division of Continuing Education Professional & Executive Development programs and at Stanford University, and has trained leaders at Apple, Nike, Netflix, and government agencies around the world. Shahbari is also principal of Cactus Int. LLC, a consulting and training firm that partners with governments, Fortune 500 companies, and mission-driven organizations to develop leaders and executives. -
![Jill Slye]()
Jill Abruzese Slye
Jill Abruzese Slye, a Harvard instructor and public speaking consultant at the Harvard Kennedy School, brings over 30 years of business experience across industries including healthcare, finance, and technology. Recognized with Harvard's Petra Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award, she specializes in leadership communication and presentation skills, empowering leaders worldwide. Jill is also the author of Reinvesting in Your Rhetoric, a guide to enhancing professional communication. -
![Stacey Blake-Beard.]()
Stacy Blake-Beard
Stacy Blake-Beard is a renowned scholar, consultant, speaker, mentor, and coach. She is a faculty member at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dr. Blake-Beard’s area of expertise is working with organizational leaders to identify challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). -
![Laurie Pascal]()
Laurie Pascal
Laurie Pascal is President of Pascal Coaching and Consulting LLC and a Senior Lecturer in Health Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she brings more than 30 years of industry experience in organizational behavior, strategy, and leadership to both traditional graduate and mid-career learners. Her consulting work with international and US organizations focuses on leadership and team development, organizational effectiveness, and effecting change. -
![Jackie Glenn]()
Jackie Glenn
Jackie Glenn is the Founder and CEO of Glenn Inclusion & HR Solutions and the best-selling author of Lift As I Climb. A former Fortune 100 executive, she helps organizations drive cultural transformation and leadership growth. In addition to teaching, Jackie serves as Board Chair of the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket.
Have Questions About this Program?
Please reach out to us! Our team is available Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time at (617) 998-8500 or via email at ExecDev@Dce.Harvard.edu.
Note that any questions regarding discounts or invoices are best addressed via email.
FAQs
What is a Women’s Leadership Program?
A women’s leadership program is designed to help women learn the skills and develop the tools they need to advance into positions of responsibility, authority, and leadership. While some women’s leadership programs focus solely on women, this program takes a unique approach by empowering both rising and senior leaders of any gender to create environments where women can succeed and flourish, ultimately strengthening an organization’s leadership pipeline.
Why Is Leadership Training Useful?
Women today continue to face obstacles moving into leadership roles. According to research, women are 18 percent less likely to be promoted into early management positions. This gap widens up the management chain: women only hold 38 percent of management positions against men’s 62 percent.
This powerful training program helps leaders recognize and overcome barriers early on. The program empowers women with the skills they need to advance up the management chain, while helping senior leaders recognize, mentor, and advance high-performing women.
Why Attend this Women’s Leadership Program with Your Manager?
Research shows a strong correlation between gender equity and organizational success. Yet, a significant gap remains in leadership representation. And it is increasingly clear that the gap starts early. Closing this gap requires a strategic, organization-wide commitment across all leadership tiers.
This program welcomes senior leaders of all genders, recognizing that inclusive support from leadership plays a critical role in strengthening and advancing a diverse leadership pipeline.
While both groups will benefit from the concurrent sessions aimed at developing strong, successful leaders able to thrive and advance in their organization, they will also benefit when they later come together for several joint sessions to address various challenges facing women and consider how to build their organization’s talent pool of strong, diverse leaders.
Why Do Women’s Leadership Programs Work?
Pursuing professional development programs like women’s leadership training really do work.
It isn’t always possible to master leadership skills while focused on the day-to-day responsibilities in the workplace. Professional development programs give you the opportunity to take time away from the day-to-day to concentrate on those critical skills you need to succeed.
Women’s leadership programs also create a space for women to explore real-world challenges with the support of dedicated peers who have faced similar experiences.
How Long is This Women’s Leadership Program?
Rising leaders will spend five days on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Mass. The program kicks off four weeks before the on-campus week with self-paced pre-work consisting of videos to watch and assessments to complete. After the on-campus week, rising leaders will complete their career action plan and attend an individual coaching session to present their projects and receive valuable feedback.
Senior leaders will enjoy four-and-a-half days on the Harvard campus. Their program kicks off three weeks before the on-campus week with self-paced pre-work, including videos, self-assessments, and a short assignment to complete. Following the on-campus week, senior leaders will develop an action plan specifically tailored to address workplace challenges they encounter and attend an individual coaching session to present their plans and receive valuable feedback.
How Will This Women’s Leadership Program Help Me In My Career?
This women’s leadership program will empower both rising leaders and senior leaders to take their careers to the next level.
For rising leaders, this unique program will give you the skills to become a more powerful, more confident leader.
For senior leaders, this program offers an opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and gain the tools to elevate top talent and foster an inclusive, high-performing organization.
What are the Key Benefits for Senior Leaders Who Attend?
- Enhanced relationship and sense of responsibility.
- Talent development and retention.
- Effective sponsorship skills.
- Sponsorships create loyalty, making the firm stronger and helping with attrition.
- Senior Managers often do not have the tools to help their direct reports move up to the next level within their organizations.
- Senior Leaders have the power to create transformative impact by actively stepping into sponsorship roles.
- To benefit the organization as a whole.
What Participants Are Saying
“I recommend this outstanding course to anyone aiming to be as effective as possible in a leadership role. The modules and activities enhance and solidify skills in negotiation, navigating complex situations, and being a trusted advisor with the ultimate goal of leading a team”
— Recent Participant
“The program helped me to grow professionally by adopting new skills. The program was very informative and I recommend every rising leader consider taking this opportunity.”
— Albandari Almutairi, Rising Women Leader from Saudi Arabia
“This program has really impacted me and I feel energized to pursue my career dreams with much more confidence, particularly because of the tools and strategies I’ve gained.”
— Recent Participant
