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(New Orleans – February 22, 2021) We need more women leaders! �������� launches its third annual Women’s Leadership Academy WLA in April and is seeking applicants for the upcoming class of this exciting certificate program.��

The current WLA cohort is graduating thirty-three regional women leaders this February. These women are powerhouses. They include leading CEOs, nonprofit executives, elected officials, education leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners.
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More than one-third of the class has accomplished significant career goals with promotions and raises during the 10-month program. ��The cohort participated in 10 class sessions; monthly one-on-one mentorship meetings; small growth group meetings, Individual Development Strategy exercises, and peer networking.��

WLA cohort members are mid- to senior-level leaders who are motivated to reflect upon and improve upon their personal leadership skills to become more effective and impactful, committed to driving innovation and transformation within their organizations and the region, and dedicated to achieving top performance without sacrificing the well-being of themselves, their teams, or their families. In many cases, WLA cohort members are nominated by their employers as part of their professional development.��

“Having supported WLA since its inception, I have witnessed first-hand the difference it has made in our leaders,” said Dr. Shondra Williams, Chief Executive Officer of InclusivCare and employer of several members of the WLA. “Now more than ever, the investment into leadership and professional networks are critical amidst the many complexities that the pandemic has brought. The rich network of mentors from all sectors is an incredibly valuable asset in growing the leaders of the future.”

The Loyola WLA is an initiative led by women under the leadership of Tania Tetlow, ��������’ first female president.

“When we look at the share of women in leadership roles in New Orleans, we realize that we’re leaving far too much of our talent on the table,” President Tetlow said. “Loyola is proud to invest in the extraordinary women of this region, to help them achieve their dreams and live their potential.”

High-profile speakers for the ten-month program include: Loyola President Tania Tetlow; leading labor and employment lawyer Kim Boyle; Emmy Award-winning journalist and TV news executive Betsy Fischer Martin; author and communications leader Val Grubb, Loyola Professor of Management Michelle K. Johnston; former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; former Louisiana State Representative and founder of Ellevate Louisiana, Julie Stokes; entrepreneur and DEI visionary, Deb Elam; and Dr. Mary Killackey, chair of the Department of Surgery at the Tulane University School of Medicine.

According to global management consulting firm Korn Ferry, despite women making up 47% of the U.S. workforce, they account for only 20% of C-suite roles. WLA’s goal is to increase the number of women in C-suite positions and in leadership across all industries. WLA sessions include training on negotiation skills, leadership style, communication strategies and balancing professional and personal life, with lessons learned from leaders in New Orleans and beyond.

“The WLA has been instrumental in identifying, developing, and nurturing my potential,” said Stacy Martin, Chief External Affairs Officer at Collegiate Academies. “It has positioned me to grow into the role of Chief External Affairs Officer at Collegiate Academies. This is a testament that all women can strive and achieve a high level of success in any career.”

Class sessions will be facilitated by Amy Landry, an MBTI© Certified Practitioner for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator training, and include guest speakers and micro-learning seminars conducted by expert �������� faculty and staff.

Micro-learning seminars will include lessons in: project management, public speaking, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, negotiation, strategic planning, and networking.

In this high-level leadership academy, participants will use their individual development to chart their own progress, demonstrate achievements, and plan future success in their own workplaces. The academy meets all day one Thursday per month for ten months, from April through January, 2022.

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