Young Women's Leadership Academy
Young Women's Leadership Academy
About YWLA
Designed for young and aspiring leaders ages 18-25, the Loyola University New Orleans and Councilmember Lesli Harris' Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) is a 2-day workshop for those who want to develop, connect, and grow as leaders.
This 2-day workshop aims to build community amongst young leaders from diverse backgrounds as they engage in leadership training, peer learning, and networking. Throughout the academy, participants work collaboratively to understand their personalities and leadership styles, define their career goals, and begin to build their professional networks.
Each young leader will grow in self-confidence, build strategic relationships, gain clarity on personality strengths and opportunities for improvement and will be challenged by stepping outside of the comfort zone in order to grow.
Some topics include (but not limited to):
- Leveraging your network
- Understanding your strengths and opportunities
- Understanding different personality types
- Different leadership styles
- Confidence building
- Interview skills
- Dressing for success
In 2024, YWLA partnered with Dress For Success New Orleans to show cohort participants the value in dressing for the job you seek. We are excited for our partnership again this year!
The inaugural YWLA was held May 22, 2023.
Mission
The mission of the YWLA is to cultivate the next generation of young leaders by providing the tools and strategies necessary to achieve their fullest potential personally and professionally.
Who We Are Seeking
We seek to fill the cohort with participants from diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, and professional backgrounds. While our programming centers on the realities young women often face in leadership, we believe that progress happens when everyone is engaged. Our program is open to all genders—welcoming anyone committed to advancing young women in leadership and fostering gender equality in the workplace and beyond. Whether you’re looking to develop your own leadership skills or become a stronger ally, our program provides the tools, insights, and community to help you make an impact. Anyone ages 18-25 interested in growing their leadership potential are encouraged to apply.
All participants must be able to attend both days of the program.
Refer a Candidate for YWLA
Do you know someone who would be a great candidate for YWLA? Send us a referral!
Program Information
Day 1: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | 10:30am-6:30pm
Councilmember Lesli Harris will welcome the cohort to this full day session filled with guest speakers and learning modules. There will be a networking event to end the day with Women's Leadership Academy alumnae. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided, as well as hors d'oeuvers and mocktails at the networking event.
Day 2: Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 9am-noon
This half day session will continue with learning modules, panel discussion, and a special presentation from our partner, Dress For Success New Orleans. Participants will end the day receiving their certificates of completion from Councilmember Lesli Harris and Loyola's Office of Professional and Continuing Studies. Light breakfast, snacks, and beverages will be provided.
Scholarship Opportunity
Thanks to a generous donation from Cox Communications, we are able to offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships. If you would like to apply for one of these scholarships, please be sure to fill out the applicable section on the YWLA application.
Applications Open on March 10, 2025
Application Deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at midnight.
Join our email notification list for the latest news, updates, and upcoming registration for Young Women's Leadership Academy.
YWLA Cohort 1 Alumnae
YWLA Cohort 3 Program Details
Dates: May 28-29, 2025
Time: Wednesday, 10:30AM - 6:30PM | Thursday, 9AM - 12PM
Location: Cafe Reconcile New Orleans, 2nd Floor
Address: 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113
Tuition: $399*
Required Registration Fee: $30 - All accepted participants must pay the $30 registration fee.
*Full and partial scholarships are available for those unable to afford the registration fees. Please complete the scholarship section on the online application below. The application deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Benefits
- Selection into a small cohort of young leaders with aspirations to build their leadership skills and serve in leadership roles in their communities.
- Two day workshop and curriculum specially designed for young leaders with leader potential.
- Personality assessment and review to gain a deeper understanding of your personality and how it informs your leadership style.
- Featured speakers including Councilmember Lesli Harris (New Orleans City Councilmember for District B).
- Networking opportunities with local leaders, including many alumnae from Loyola’s 10-month Women’s Leadership Academy.
- Access to an active network of alumnae and special invitations to future events and opportunities for social and professional engagement.
- Breakfast and/or lunch and snacks throughout the day for both sessions.
- Obtainment of a Loyola University New Orleans Certificate of Completion.
Testimonial
"I absolutely loved learning about my personality type, and I have actually gotten others to take the test. I have also learned that by finding the environments where I’m "comfortably uncomfortable" I’ll grow as a person and leader. When researching the career paths for my personality type, they really do fit me and my interests.”
- Lauren F., Cohort 1 Alumna
Testimonial
"I discovered the crucial importance of fully tapping into your leadership potential. This involves first understanding your values, strengths, personality, and biases that may be blind spots. To effectively lead to the best of my ability, it is essential for me to gain insight into my own thoughts and emotions, enabling me to better comprehend and connect with those I am guiding."
- Jenna P., Associate Director of Marketing Northwestern Mutual, Cohort 1 Alumna
Testimonial
"Through the academy I was able to learn the importance of centering patience and understanding. I think of myself as being very introspective, and through the academy, I realized the importance of identifying the differences in how other people process information to become more effective as a leader."
- DyMonn A., Cohort 1 Alumna
Thank you
Thank you to the New Orleans City Council, Cox Communications, Dress for Success New Orleans, and Cafe Reconcile New Orleans for your partnership with the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies at Loyola University New Orleans. With your generous support, we are able to continue to offer YWLA to young leaders in the Greater New Orleans area.
YWLA Cohort 1
