Women in leadership
Prepare to Lead with Purpose
Offered each spring and fall, the FOCUS Women In Leadership (WIL) program offers the opportunity to strengthen your personal, professional, and civic leadership skills, all while connecting with dynamic women from diverse backgrounds. Along the way, you’ll hone your facilitation, negotiation, and communication skills, explore issues facing our region, and tap into resources to positively influence regional change.
Graduates often describe the experience as transformational and leave the program with a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals, along with the knowledge, skills, resources and networks to bring those goals to life.
Who Should Apply
Women In Leadership is open to women of all ages with a desire to strengthen their leadership skills, effectiveness and impact. Ideal candidates include mid-level managers, entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Like all FOCUS leadership programs, Women In Leadership welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, industries and sectors.
What to Expect
The Women In Leadership program consists of four seminars and three Field Days, held at sites around the region. Program days include a mix of speakers, interviews with area leaders, small-group discussion, interactive exercises and reflection activities. Led by FOCUS’ experienced facilitators, subject-matter experts and regional leaders, the curriculum typically covers:
- Negotiation Strategies
- Understanding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Leveraging Your Strengths & Emotional Intelligence
- Personal Brand Management
- Exploring Leadership Across Sectors
Upon graduation, you’ll also become part of the network of more than 11,000 FOCUS program alumni.

Women In Leadership - Fall 2023
Program Partners