Applications open for Loyola’s Seventh Cohort of Women's Leadership Academy

Educate. Empower. Elevate. The Women’s Leadership Academy – the only program of its kind hosted at a university in Louisiana – proudly announces applications have opened for its seventh cohort starting in March 2025.

Launched in 2019, the Women’s Leadership Academy has been immensely successful in its mission to educate, empower and elevate leaders across Southeast Louisiana. Since its inaugural year, more than  250 participants have grown and networked with thought leaders in the region.

"Our mission at the Women’s Leadership Academy is to provide a space where women can truly tap into their strengths and lead with confidence and authenticity," said Jill Boatright, Executive Director of Professional & Continuing Studies at Loyola. "Programs like ours are vital because they empower women to not only recognize their potential but to step into leadership roles that create real change. We believe that when women lead authentically, they elevate their communities and inspire others to do the same."

The curriculum for Loyola’s Women's Leadership Academy is focused on empowering women and increasing their representation in leadership positions. A recent study by Lean In and McKinsey & Company, Women in the Workplace, highlights that although women have made strides in their careers and gained greater presence in leadership, they remain significantly underrepresented in top roles. Additionally, a growing number of women are leaving their jobs in what has been termed the “Great Breakup,” signaling a pressing need for continued focus on women's leadership development.

"Participating in the Women's Leadership Academy at Loyola University is more than just an opportunity—it's a transformative journey where you unlock your potential, empower your voice, and lead with purpose,” said Amy Landry, Program Facilitator for Women’s Leadership Academy. “Now in its sixth year, the Academy offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance leadership skills, strategic thinking and personal development. Through interactive workshops, mentorship and collaborative learning, participants gain the tools, insights and confidence to navigate challenges and lead with impact. Joining a prestigious network of over 250 alumnae, participants leave equipped to make a meaningful difference in both their professional and personal lives."

Benefits of the program include:

• Selection into a cohort of approximately 50 participants who are recognized as leaders within their organizations and communities with high potential to grow into advanced leadership positions. 

• Attainment of a Loyola University New Orleans Certificate of Completion and 6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

• Access to an active, ever-growing alumni network with year-round opportunities for social and professional engagement.

• Participation in ten (10) on-campus, full-day sessions designed to leverage personal strengths, examine emotional intelligence and build critical leadership skills through presentations, panels, assessments and small group work.

• Experiential learning and concept reinforcement through executive coaches, accountability groups and individual mentors. 

The Women’s Leadership Academy selection committee will seek to identify 50 individuals who are most likely to utilize their leadership abilities for the long-term benefit of our region.  The selection committee considers factors such as the following to ensure that the group is accomplished, diverse, inclusive and committed to success:

?      Race

?      Ethnicity

?      Industry / Sector

?      Leadership experience (minimum 3 years in a leadership role)

?      Leadership accomplishments

?      Civic involvement

?      Program goals aligned with the WLA mission

Class sessions are facilitated by Amy Landry, an MBTI© Certified Practitioner for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator training, and include guest speakers and workshops facilitated by prominent community leaders and expert Loyola University New Orleans faculty and staff.

The academy meets all day one Thursday per month for 10 months, starting March 13, 2025. Deadline to apply is December 9, with a scholarship and priority application deadline of November 1.

The Women’s Leadership Academy is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages anyone interested in the program or allyship to apply.

Interested parties can learn more and apply on the WLA website.

About Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans, a Jesuit institution of higher education, is an academic community dedicated to lifelong learning. Through teaching, research and service, the faculty and staff strive to educate holistically to benefit the larger community.  Loyola offers liberal arts and sciences, professional and graduate programs grounded in intellectual rigor and reflecting Ignatian tradition. Widely regarded as one of the top schools in the South, Loyola’s reputation for academic excellence, transformative experiences and courageous creativity spans more than a century.