Take the LEAD
The Women's Leadership Academy (WLA) at Loyola University New Orleans is designed to enable women in the region to achieve their greatest professional potential through leadership training, personal development, and one-on-one mentorships. WLA consists of ten (10) on-campus sessions, including keynote speakers, micro learning seminars, case studies, and an individual development plan. Each participant has the opportunity to grow and network with thought leaders in the region. The inaugural Women's Leadership Academy launched April 16, 2019.
WLA participants who successfully complete the program will earn a Loyola University New Orleans Certificate of Completion and earn 6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Growth Topics Include:
Important Dates for WLA Cohort 3
Applications Open: October 19, 2020
February 8, 2021 - Early Application Deadline
February 15, 2021 - Scholarship application deadline
March 1, 2021 – Application deadline
March 15, 2021 - Extended application deadline
Tuition due upon registration
Tuition: $2,995
Applications
An online application must be submitted to be considered for the Women's Leadership Academy. Partial scholarships will be awarded to applicants who work for a non-profit organization. In order to be considered for a WLA scholarship, you must submit both applications by the scholarship application deadline. Please click on the following application(s) that you would like to submit:
Join Us
Be a Mentor
Each participant in the Women's Leadership Academy is assigned a mentor to help guide them through their leadership journey in the program. Mentors will meet with their assigned mentee(s) for 1 hour, once a month for the 10 month program. Any additional events or time scheduled will be based on both parties availability. If you would like to give back by offering your time and knowledge to a WLA participant, please fill out the online mentorship application.
Be a Sponsor
Sponsorships are available for all on-campus sessions and the graduation ceremony. If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring the Women's Leadership Academy, please download the WLA Sponsorship Form. Contact the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies for additional information or to create a customized sponsorship at (504) 865-3530 or PACS@loyno.edu.
Inspire
One of the unique aspects of the Women's Leadership Academy is the opportunity for local and national thought leaders to offer their personal experience, guidance, and advice to the WLA class. Every session has a guest speaker(s) to start off the day with inspirational food for thought. If you would like to share your experience and words of wisdom with the WLA class, please fill out the online guest speaker form.
Tania Tetlow
Loyola University New Orleans
President
Kim Boyle
Partner
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Julie Couret
7602 Coach
Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker
Deborah "Deb" Elam
Corporate Playbook
President & CEO
Betsy Fischer Martin
Women and Politics Institute at American University
Executive Director
Fischer Martin Media
Founder
Bill Ganon
The Ganon Group
Communication Coach & Consultant
Valerie "Val" Grubb
Val Grubb and Associates
Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach, Trainer
Dr. Mary Killackey
Tulane University Medical Center
Robert & Viola Lobrano Chair of Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics
Senator Mary Landrieu
Dr. Shondra Williams
InclusivCare
Chief Executive Officer
Fallon Aidoo, PhD
University of New Orleans
Jean Brainard Boebel Endowed Professor of Historic Preservation; Assistant Professor of Planning and Urban Studies
Cristina Alvarado
Delgado Community College
Program Director of Architecture, Civil and CADD Programs
Trish Andermann
Cook Medical
District Manager
Amy Boyle
Loyola University New Orleans
Director, Residential Life
Ronicka Briscoe
TNTP. Inc.
Director
Sandra Brown
Sodexo Dillard University
Unit Controller & Safety Coordinator
Joy Bruce
CASA New Orleans
Executive Director
Shellond Chester
Xavier University
Assistant Provost; Chief Operating Officer for Academic Affairs
Dawn Collins
Sodexo Loyola University New Orleans
Catering Manager III
Lindsey Davidson
Lucid, LLC
Director, Project Success
Rosalyn Davis
Pan American Life Insurance Company
Compliance Analyst II
Shakeatha Davis, JD
The S. Davis Law Group
Principal Attorney
Elizabeth Ellison Frost
Chalmette Refining - PBF Energy
Community Relations Manager
Emily Engberg
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Advocate/ Nola.com
Advertising Director
Mary Hoffman
Isadore Newman School
Associate Director of Advancement
Anne-Louise Juttner, CSP
Northwestern Mutual - LA & MS
Executive Director of Recruitment and Selection
Fay Kimbrell
3rd Floor Consulting
Founder
Katherine Krikorian
Loyola University New Orleans
Assistant Director, Career Development Center
Denali Lander
Youth Run NOLA
Executive Director
Halima leak Francis, PhD
Tulane University School of Professional Advancement
Professor of Practice; Program Director, Public Administration Program
Kelley Mackenroth, JD
Northwestern Mutual
Financial Representative
Priscilla Mantilla
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
Integrated Workforce Director
Stacy Martin
Collegiate Academies
Senior Managing Director of External Affairs
Olivia Mitchell
Tulane University
Executive Director, Office of the CIO
Lisa Morrison
InclusivCare
Director of Finance
Erica Perez
Collegiate Academies
Director of Student Recruitment
Stephanie Powell
Young Leadership Council
Executive Director
Anna Whitlow
Be Nimble Public Relations
President
Tammy Lewis Wilborn, PhD
Wilborn Clinical Services
Owner; Clinical Officer
If you are interested in being a mentor, please apply here.
Mindy Nunez Airhart
Southern Services & Equipment
President; CEO
Essence Banks
Marriot International
Area Improvement Manager
Stephanie Bell
Friends of City Park
Executive Director
Elizabeth "Liz" Broekman
P.O.W.E.R., Fidelity Bank
Director
Amy Boyle Collins
Gambel Communications
Vice President
Myra Corrello, PhD
Find Your Spice Seminars, LLC
Business Growth Strategist, Speaker & Trainer
Julie Couret
7602 Coach
Executive Coach; Keynote Speaker
Carla Courey
Career Management Center at Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business
Director
Michelle Craig, JD
Transcendent Law Group and Prosquire
Owner
Danielle Dayries
DMD & Associates, Inc.
Founder; CEO
Klassi Duncan
Women's Business Resource Center, Urban League of LA
Director
Deborah "Deb" Elam
Corporate Playbook
President; CEO
Dima Ghawi
Dima Ghawi, LLC
Executive Coach; Keynote Speaker
Deborah F. Grimes
Ochsner Health
Vice President; Chief Diversity Officer
Aimee Freeman
Aimee Freeman Consulting, Founder
LA State Representative, District 98
Kelly Huben
M S Benbow and Associates
Director of Operations & Human Resources
Sarah Kelly
Loyola University New Orleans
SVP of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Affairs
Sandra Linquist
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
Executive Vice President; COO
Carol Ann MacGregor
Loyola University New Orleans
Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
Camille Manning-Broome
Center for Planning Excellence
President; CEO
Lacy McManus
Amazon Web Services
Program Manager; Employer Lead
Tina Meilleur
Design Your Success
Founder; Owner
Lesley-Ann Noel, PhD
Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking
Professor of Practice; Associate Director, Design Thinking for Social Impact
Maria Pabon
Loyola University New Orleans
Professor of Law
Victoria Adam Phipps
New Orleans Business Alliance
Chief Strategy Officer
Mayra Pineda
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
President; CEO
Lesley Poche
McEnergy Residential, Licensed Realtor
Lesley Poche Construction, LLC, Owner
Michelle Seiler Tucker
Seiler Tucker
Founder; President
Lisa Taglauer
Magnolia Physical Therapy, LLC
Co-Founder
Shondra Williams, PhD
InclusivCare
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Garvey Algero, JD
Loyola University New Orleans
Associate Dean, Faculty Development & Academic Affairs; Professor of Law
October Ambrose, MA
Ochsner Health System
Clinic Operations Manager
Alexandra “Sashi” Band, DO, FACOG
Ochsner Baptist
Staff Physician, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Stephanie Barksdale
Tulane University
Director, University Partnerships and Social Innovation; Adjunct Lecturer
Mandy Barton
LCMC Health
Content Strategist
Jody Braunig, LMSW
Girls on the Run New Orleans
Executive Director
Heidi Colwell
Sodexo
Resident Dining Manager
Stephanie Comardelle
Lucid LLC
Vice President, Customer Success & Solutions
Carmen H. Cummings
Jefferson Community Health Center, Inc.
Corporate Executive Manager
Lauren DeFrates, MSHCM
Ochsner Health System
Vice President, Emergency Services
Lorey Flick, PE
Flick Engineering Professionals
Principal
Renata A. Granger, MBA, MSW
BoysTown
Early Headstart Director
Alejandra Guzman
The New Orleans Business Alliance
Vice President, Performance Management & Strategy
Avril Habetz
Northwestern Mutual
District Director
Emily Hartnett
InspireNOLA Charter Schools
Deputy Chief of Strategy & Advancement
Josephine “Jo” Heller, JD
St. Bernard District Attorney’s Office
Assistant District Attorney
Lauren Hickman
OJT
Architect
Allison Hjortsberg
Tulane University
Director, Special Projects
Michelle Huck
Lucid LLC
Vice President, Finance; Controller
Hannah Huppi
IMOTO photo
Senior Vice President
Stilio
COO & Co-Founder
Shirley Kakousky
Sodexo
Director, Resident Dining
Riley Kennedy
Woodward Design+Build
Director, Organizational Development
Suma Sangisetty Maddox
Louisiana State University
LSU Plastic Surgery Fellow
Meaghan McCormack
World Trade Center New Orleans
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Krista D. Mincey, MPH, DrPH
Xavier University of Louisiana
Assistant Professor, Public Health Services
LaShaunda Pickett-Rene, MPA
TruFund Financial Services, Inc.
Assistant Vice President; Manager, Business Services & Program Development
Samantha Pollard
Loyola University New Orleans
Accessibility Counselor
Nicole Powell
New Orleans Police Department
Police Sergeant
Zozette "Zoey" Reed
Collegiate Academies
Director of Communications
Karla Rivera
Greater New Orleans Foundation
Special Assistant to the President & CEO
Elizabeth “Leigh-Ann” Sallis
Tulane University
Budget and Administrative Coordinator, Hayward Genetics Center
Mary Schulingkamp
Magnolia Physical Therapy
Chief Operating Officer
Rachel Strassel
Gambel Communications
Communications Strategist
Jennifer Sutton
Gulf Coast Veterinary Services
Partner; Veterinarian
Kelli Towers
American Lung Association
Executive Director
Elizabeth “Liz” Marcel Williams, Ed.D.
Center for Resilience
Founder and CEO
Amy Winchester, CFP®, CRPS™
Gulf Coast Wealth Management
Certified Financial Planner Practitioner
Heide Winston
Tulane University
Director of Communications and Civic Engagement, Office of the President Emeritus
Kate Witry
Witry Collective
Broker Owner, Realtor®
Tania Zachari
Techniques International Corporation
CEO
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.
- Dedicated to achieving top performance without sacrificing the well-being of themselves, their teams, or their families.
To apply for the Women's Leadership Academy, an applicant must submit the following:
1. A completed online application which should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can view a PDF of the application beforehand to prepare your responses by clicking here or access the required online application here.
2. Access to your resume via LinkedIn and/or a copy of your resume (PDF only).
3. One letter of reference (PDF only): The letter should be from either a current or previous supervisor or coworker. The reference letter should highlight your strengths, achievements, and reasons why you would be a good candidate for the Women's Leadership Academy.
Please include "WLA documents" and your first and last name on the subject line when submitting your documents to PACS@loyno.edu.
Upon Acceptance to the Academy
Upon acceptance to the Women's Leadership Academy, participants will be required to submit additional information, including the following:
- A commitment form signed by you and, if applicable, your employer.
- A signed liability waiver and photo release form.
- A brief professional bio and photo of yourself (professional photo is not required).
- Your favorite quote about leadership.
- A valid driver's license and vehicle insurance (to park on campus).
Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships will be offered to applicants who work for a non-profit organization. If eligible, you must complete the Women's Leadership Academy general online application, in addition to the WLA scholarship online application. Please click here to view a PDF version of the application for reference and click here to fill out the required scholarship online application.
Women's Leadership Academy tuition: $2,995
Tuition includes lunch and a light breakfast for all full-day, on-campus sessions. Light refreshments will be provided for half-day, on-campus sessions. Any activities and/or events held outside of the WLA scheduled dates listed, will be optional, and are not included in tuition.
Tuition must be paid in full by credit card or check upon registration.
Please make checks payable to:
Loyola University New Orleans
Address: Loyola University New Orleans
Office of Professional and Continuing Studies
6363 St. Charles Avenue, Campus Box 148
New Orleans, LA 70118
- Opening Session (Virtual Session #1) - March 26, 2020
- Optional Virtual Session #2 - April 16, 2020
- Optional Virtual Session #3 - May 7, 2020
- Virtual Session #1a - June 11, 2020
- Your Work Style #1b - July 16, 2020
- Your Communication Style - August 13, 2020
- Your Team Style - September 10, 2020
- Your Decision Making Style - October 8, 2020
- Your Conflict Style - October 22, 2020
- Your Leadership Style - November 5, 2020
- How Stress Impacts You - December 3, 2020
- Your Approach to Change - January TBD
- Individual Development Plans (IDP) Presentations - January TBD
- Individual Development Plans (IDP) Presentations - February TBD
Graduation Ceremony - February 2021 (TBD); 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- All sessions are held at Loyola University New Orleans, 6363 St. Charles Avenue, in New Orleans.
- All sessions are held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
- All sessions are held on Thursdays unless otherwise noted.
**Updated on 7/7/20 due to COVID-19.
To successfully complete the Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola University New Orleans, a participant is expected to attend all sessions and complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) including monthly one-hour mentorship meetings.
Individual Growth Strategy (IGS)
Each participant will create an Individual Growth Strategy (IGS) throughout the Academy. Preparation of the IGS will be guided by the class sessions, one-on-one mentorship meetings, facilitated online discussions, and voluntary growth group meetings.
Mentorships
Each participant will be assigned a mentor that is a business, community, and/or government leader within the region. Participants and mentors will meet once per month for a one-hour conversation, guided by a questionnaire prepared by Loyola. These conversations will aid participants in the creation of their IGS. The participant and mentor will schedule their one-on-one meetings directly to find a time and location that works best for both parties. Ideally, these meetings will be in-person, but due to busy schedules, they might sometimes be via telephone, video conference, etc.
Attendance Policy
Participants with more than two (2) excused absences may not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Please review the schedule thoroughly and make plans accordingly. If you anticipate that you will miss one of the scheduled dates, please let us know at PACS@loyno.edu in advance.
The full list of session dates can be found near the top of this page. Monthly mentorship meetings will be scheduled individually once a participant is accepted into the program.
"One of the unique aspects of this opportunity, in addition to creating such a woman-positive professional space, is the exposure to such a variety of experts in thier field. Presenters provided meaningful content that ranged from big-picture professional and personal learnings, to concrete leadership and management tools we can immediately implement."
- Elizabeth "Liz" Marcel Williams, Founder and CEO, Center for Resilience
"I have so much admiration and appreciation for the women in this program. WLA is both a stimulating and supportive space that has allowed me to learn from and relate to women from different walks of life and career backgrounds. My fellow WLA participants and the guest speakers have provided me with insights and inspiration to be a more self-assured and impactful leader."
- Heide Winston, Director, Communications and Civic Engagement, Tulane University
"This program and my classmates are the reason why I am where I am today. In the time we have been together, I have grown (personally and professionally) far past my initial expectations. Every month I learn at least 3 new skills. These skills have significantly increased my value to my organization, as well as my direct team. I have learned about successful meeting strategies, logical thinking, decision making, as well as personalities blending in groups and how to handle these things as a woman. This program and its subject matter provided the knowledge no one wanted to give me, but everyone needs to know. I am surrounded by powerful women who make me feel large instead of small. I have taken this confidence with me to work and in my home. The ripple effect is my daughter and son will also benefit from this program. Thank you President Tetlow and staff! This program is a gift and I am excited for the future and for the long term bonds that I now have!"
- Mary Schulingkamp, Vice President of Operations, Magnolia Physical Therapy
"I strongly encourage women in leadership roles or interested in serving in a leadership role to particiapte in the Loyola Women's Leadership Academy. I look forward to these sessions each month because of the speakers, who are inspirational and informative, and because of the value of setting time aside to dream big. Moreover, the opportunity to attend this course with so many strong women is uplifting and amazing in itself. We learn so much from each other. We also see that strong leaders are as diverse as each individual in the room, from the extroverted, assertive leader to the introverted, deep thinker. Good leaders are lifetime learners, and this academy is fantastic, even for the "more experienced" of us in the room!"
- Mary Garvey Algero, Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Academic Affairs, Distinguished Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans
"What I have enjoyed about the classes is that we are learning practical skills. I feel like I leave with something practical from each session that I can not only implement now, but am able to tie and connect it to what I am currently doing at my current job.."
- Krista Mincey, Associate Professor of Public Health Services, Xavier University
"The Women's Leadership Academy was appealing to me because I wanted to hone in on my leadership skills and meet other leaders in managing areas to help me to be a better manager, leader, and person. I have met amazing women in the program and equally amazing speakers. I have learned a lot about myself, leadership skills, how to effectively relate to others, build upon my communication skills, and network. Through networking, I am now an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy here at Loyola which I am so excited about. Had I not been a participant in this program, it just would not have happened..."
- Josephine "Jo" Heller, Assistant District Attorney, St. Bernard District Attorney
The WLA Alumni Scholarship was formed after WLA Cohort 1, Class of 2020, completed the program and felt the need to give back to those with financial hardships that would benefit from attending Loyola's Women's Leadership Academy.
If you would like to donate to the WLA Alumni Scholarship fund, please click here. You will be asked to create a new user registration to access The Loyola Online Community. You can select "other" from the drop down menu and type in "WLA Scholarship" or "WLA gifts."
Thank you for your contribution to Loyola's Women's Leadership Academy!
Transformative Speakers
Keynote speakers from WLA Cohort 1
Phelps Dunbar LLP Partner Kim Boyle, President and CEO of Corporate Playbook Deborah Elam, Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Tulane University School of Medicine Dr. Mary Killackey, President of JCH Properties Tara Hernandez, President and CEO of Children's Hospital New Orleans John Nickens IV, Emmy-winning journalist Betsy Fisher-Martin, Loyola Professor of Management Dr. Michelle K. Johnston, Director of Communications of Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, Susan Langenhennig, Dean of Loyola Law School Madeleine Landrieu, Career Marine Corps officer Jeannette Haynie, City Attorney Sunni LeBeouf, Republican member of the LA House of Representatives Julie Stokes, CEO of The Ganon Group Bill Ganon, author and communications leader Sally Forman, President of Gambel Communications Betsie Gambel, and Vice President of Gambel Communications Amy Boyle Collins.
Testimonials
from past WLA events
"I loved the living room style chat with Deb. She was an inspiration and a perfect time for her to share at this stage of the Academy.”
- Katie W
“Dr. K was impactful with her advice especially when she spoke about her opportunity to rise up came too soon, in her mind, but she got the job and is doing well. So get out of our heads and be open.”
– anonymous
“John Nickens! He was such a great speaker and I was furiously writing notes the whole time. Loved this session!”
-Hannah H
