Women’s Leadership Program – Class of 2024-25
VIRTUAL CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Session 1: Orientation + Your Leader Identity 1a                                                           
September 18, 1:00-3:00pm                                                                                                       [2 hours]

Chamber learning & development staff welcome the incoming class, facilitate introductions among the group, and outline program content and expectations for the year. Participants also begin their leadership journey with Simmons faculty in the first session focused on the HRDQ assessment and unlocking their default leadership styles.

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Session 2: Your Leader Identity 1b
October 3, 1:00-3:00pm                                                                                                                 [2 hours]                                                           

This session is a continuation of session 1, diving further into your exploration and understanding of your leadership style and identity.

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Session 3: Your Leader Identity 2
October 16, 1:00-3:00pm                                                                                                              [2 hours]

Continuing the conversation after HRDQ assessments, we will examine how we are socialized to think about leadership and what identity has to do with it.

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Session 4: Intentional Networking
October 23, 1:00-3:00pm                                                                                                              [2 hours]

With network mapping and a focus on a specific leadership goal, participants then analyze their network and develop an action plan to fill in the gaps in a structured, systematic way while building their relationships within the cohort.

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Session 5: Innovative Approaches to Communication
November 5, 1:00-4:00pm                                                                                                            [3 hours]

This session introduces an innovative and impactful way to change how participants communicate within their own workplaces, run meetings, and establish respectful environments for their teams. The Chamber’s director of learning & development, an advanced Visual Thinking Strategies facilitator, demonstrates how to elevate your company’s social-emotional intelligence in a creative way.

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Session 6: DEI Frameworks
November 19, 1:00-4:00pm                                                                                                         [3 hours]

The afternoon session focuses on the critical skills and awareness needed to manage a diverse workforce and to build inclusive environments for equitable workplace experiences. Participants gain an understanding of key DEI concepts, how to advocate for the integration of DEI into their own offices, and identifying and interrupting conscious and unconscious biases in the workplace.

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Session 7: Individual Action Project Kick-Off Panel
December 10, 11:00am-1:00pm                                                                                            [2 hours]

In a virtual session for both cohorts, Chamber learning & development staff introduce the parameters for the Individual Action Project, an opportunity for participants to apply what they learn in the program to a specific problem or issue in their companies or communities. Participants then have an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss with women from both cohorts.

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Session 8: Pinnacle Awards (Optional)
January TBD                                                       [2 hours]

Participants are invited to celebrate stellar leadership in action at the Chamber’s premier event for women in business (and allied men). Held every January, the Pinnacle Awards honor professional women who have demonstrated excellence in different categories. This inspirational program draws over 1,000 participants from the business and government communities. Tickets to this event are included in WLP tuition.

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Session 9: Managing Perceptions
February 4, 1:00-3:30pm                                                                                                                [2.5 hours]

Using the leadership style identified in September, participants examine how others might perceive them because of their style and learn strategies for managing that perception while navigating gender politics.

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Session 10: Public Speaking with Confidence
February 18, 1:00-3:30pm                                                                                                              [2.5 hours]

Boston Public Speaking, the Chamber’s delivery partner, assists participants in finding, amplifying, and using their voices with confidence. This highly interactive session also highlights how to have an impressive Zoom presence.

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Session 11: Candid Conversations
March 5, 1:00 – 4:00pm                                                                                                                 [3 hours]

Participants dive into intimate discussions on topics specific to women professionals through a Candid Conversations session with women business leaders from various sectors, all representing the Advisory Board of the Chamber’s Women’s Network.

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Session 12: Leading Teams
April 2, 1:00-3:30pm                                                                                                                         [2.5 hours]

In this session, we will explore team leadership in two ways: 1) outlining key elements of team effectiveness, and 2) examining the impact of leadership style on those elements.

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Session 13: Negotiations
April 16, 1:00-3:30pm                                                                                                                      [2.5 hours]

Participants gain skills for empowering themselves as effective self-advocates and then uncover the fundamentals of successful workplace negotiation and mutual gains problem solving.

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Session 14: Behind the Scenes of a Women-Led Business (Optional)
Late April                                                                                                         [2 hours]

Late in the month, participants witness gender dynamics and leadership in action in the popular Behind-the-Scenes of a Women-Led Business. Business and location changes year by year. Virtual cohort attendance is encouraged if possible.

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Session 15: Individual Action Project Presentations + Graduation
May 6, 1:00-5:00pm                                                                                                         [4 hours]

In the final session, participants virtually present their Individual Action Projects, debrief the experience, then celebrate each other and the cohort’s success in a virtual graduation ceremony with special guest and keynote speakers.