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          05/29/2025

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          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

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          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

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          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Premier Event
          2025 Annual Meeting

          Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Meeting, Greater Boston's top business convening of the year.

          05/20/2025

          4:30pm - 8:00pm

          Omni Boston Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Women's Leadership Program

We are accepting rolling nominations for the Class of 2026.

Goals

  • 2025-2026 program dates are TBD.
  • Learn from renowned faculty at Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership through classes on leadership style, leading teams effectively, managing perceptions, navigating gendered expectations, negotiating, and public speaking.
  • Participants will gain access to the city’s top women leaders through the Chamber’s Women’s Network, collaborate with other emerging women leaders across industries through Peer Mentor Groups, and design an Individual Action Project for their own workplace.

Details

  • Hybrid
  • Virtual: $5,000/person
  • In Person: $6,000/person
Nominate Now Sponsor the Program

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  • Overview
  • Outcomes
WLP full width feature image

Program Overview

Our Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) empowers women professionals to navigate and propel their careers to the next level while also creating the conditions for other women to thrive. Men still outpace women in executive roles in every industry. This program equips women with a leadership toolkit blending academic content, practical application, and social capital with the chief aim of elevating gender equity in the workplace. Participants graduate with the skills, experiences, and connections needed to lead businesses into the top tiers of success.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce -- Women's Leadership Program
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce -- Women's Leadership Program

Characteristics of Successful Candidates

  • Identified as a self-motivated, high-performing woman at any stage of her career
  • Employed at a Chamber member company
  • Committed to contributing to gender equity in the workplace
  • Dedicated to full participation in the sessions

The Chamber seeks a diverse pool of applicants regarding demographics and perspectives. We highly encourage professionals with unique backgrounds and experiences to apply.

While self-nominations are accepted, we encourage you to solicit a nomination from your manager or another leader in your company to ensure you have organizational support to participate in this program.

Your company must be a Chamber member to participate in the program.

Check Our Member Directory

2024-2025 Program Schedule

September – Session 1:

Orientation + Your Leader Identity 1

Chamber learning & development staff welcome the incoming class, facilitate introductions among the group, and outline program content and expectations for the year. Participants also begin their leadership journey with Simmons faculty in the first session focused on the HRDQ assessment and unlocking their default leadership styles.

October – Session 2:

Your Leader Identity 2 + Intentional Networking

Continuing the conversation after HRDQ assessments, we will examine how we are socialized to think about leadership and what identity has to do with it. With network mapping and a focus on a specific leadership goal, participants then analyze their network and develop an action plan to fill in the gaps in a structured, systematic way while building their relationships.

November – Session 3:

Innovative Approaches to Communication + DEI

The morning session introduces an innovative and impactful way to change how participants communicate within their own workplaces, run meetings, and establish respectful environments for their teams. The afternoon session focuses on the critical skills and awareness needed to manage a diverse workforce and to build inclusive environments for equitable workplace experiences.

December – Session 4:

Individual Action Project Kick-Off Panel

In a virtual session for both cohorts, Chamber learning & development staff introduce the parameters for the Individual Action Project, an opportunity for participants to apply what they learn in the program to a specific problem or issue in their companies or communities. Participants then have an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss with women from both cohorts.

January – Session 5:

Pinnacle Awards (Optional)

Participants are invited to celebrate stellar leadership in action at the Chamber’s premier event for women in business (and allied men). Held every January, the Pinnacle Awards honor professional women who have demonstrated excellence in different categories. This inspirational program draws over 1,000 participants from the business and government communities.

February – Session 6:

Managing Perceptions + Public Speaking

Using the leadership style identified in September, participants examine how others might perceive them because of their style and learn strategies for managing that perception while navigating gender politics. Furthermore, Boston Public Speaking, the Chamber’s delivery partner, assists participants in finding, amplifying, and using their voices with confidence.

March – Session 7:

Candid Conversations + Networking Reception

Participants dive into intimate discussions on topics specific to women professionals through a Candid Conversations session with women business leaders from various sectors, all representing the Advisory Board of the Chamber’s Women’s Network. Afterwards, participants continue to connect in their second networking reception.

April – Session 8:

Leading Teams + Negotiations

First, we will explore team leadership in two ways: 1) outlining key elements of team effectiveness, and 2) examining the impact of leadership style on those elements. Participants gain skills for empowering themselves as effective self-advocates and then uncover the fundamentals of successful workplace negotiation and mutual gains problem solving.

April – Session 9:

Behind the Scenes of a Women-Led Business

Late in the month, participants witness gender dynamics and leadership in action in the popular Behind-the-Scenes of a Women-Led Business. Business and location changes year by year. In-person cohort attendance at this session is required, and virtual cohort attendance is encouraged.

May - Session 10:

Project Presentations + Graduation

In the final session, participants virtually present their Individual Action Projects, debrief the experience, then celebrate each other and the cohort’s success in a virtual graduation ceremony with special guest and keynote speakers.

Program Outcomes

  • In aggregate, participants experienced impressive levels of growth in the highly skilled or expert level categories of the following professional competencies
  • 48% growth in navigating identity-based expectations in the workplace
  • 42% growth in creating inclusive cultures
  • 33% growth in conducting effective negotiations
  • 68% growth in identifying and flexing leadership style
  • 44% growth in advocating for self and others
  • 34% growth in leading teams AND networking
  • 26% growth in public speaking
  • Participants bring organizational, strategic, and team management skills back to your organization through high quality professional development.
  • Participants’ Individual Action Projects directly impact your organization by providing solutions to a particular problem or issue using what they learned from the program.
  • Participants represent your business amongst a cohort of the city’s next generation of trusted leaders.
  • Participants collaborate across industries in Peer Mentor Groups, network with top women leaders in business, and establish connections that will propel participants throughout their careers.

“As a seasoned Director of Legal Recruiting, the Chamber Women's Leadership Program has been invaluable in providing me with new perspectives and tools to further enhance my contributions to the firm. The programming and networking opportunities are outstanding!”

Donna Yergeau, (Class of 2023)

“WLP is an impactful program. The goals that I had for myself in the beginning evolved over time as each session opened my mind to new ways to grow. I highly recommend WLP for any woman who is in search of herself, in search of a transition, and/or in search of support. ”

Joey Varga, (Class of 2023)

“The shared focus, support, and commitment to developing techniques to advance oneself and others utilizing the qualities unique to women is truly inspiring. Learning that I was not alone in my thinking and mindset gave me added confidence that I can and will reach my full potential.”

Kristin McFetridge, (Class of 2023) 

“I loved my Women's Leadership Program experience. The instructors were top notch. I always left every session with a golden nugget (or two or three) of actionable tips, techniques, and ideas that I could implement when I got back to the office. I also loved my fellow classmates and how supportive and generous with wisdom everyone was in the program”

Laura Wilson, (Class of 2023)  

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