About Us | Women’s Leadership Initiative

The Women’s Leadership Initiative strives to empower women in leadership roles by providing them the tools, resources, development opportunities, and professional networks that will enable them to reach their full potential.

The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) was established in 2012 “to address the institution’s gender gap in networking and leadership support” (DeFrank-Cole, Latimer, Reed & Wheatly, 2014, p. 52). The framework for this professional learning opportunity was patterned after a coaching model used at the Harvard Women’s Leadership Forum.

In 2012, the first cohort consisted of 28 women who engaged in small learning groups, called pods, each with two external consultants. A subset of the first cohort later served as internal facilitators/coaches for new participants to replicate the model with a second group of women. Activities were based on a 15-week semester and included opportunities for learning (readings, discussions, and exercises in leadership), networking activities, and events led by leaders within and outside the University. The model was well received, and data indicated “consistent positive impact on participants” (DeFrank-Cole, Latimer, Niedermeyer & Wheatly, 2016, p. 27). The program garnered interest from women across campus and each year since, the WLI has added new members through an annual recruitment campaign. Currently, there are 470 WLI members, a mix of faculty, staff, and administrators.

To learn more about impact of WLI, please download the research journal articles published in Journal of Leadership, Accountability, and Ethics (2014) and Advancing Women in Leadership Journal (2016).

The WLI is funded through and located within the Office of the Provost. A 12-person steering committee, including a program director, is responsible for oversight of the WLI. Since its inception, the WLI has been led by four program directors: Lisa DeFrank-Cole, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences (2012- 2015); Presha Neidermeyer, Chambers College of Business and Economics (2015-2019); Allison Swan Dagen, College of Education and Human Services (2019 – 2021); and W. Constinia Charbonette, WVU School of Public Health (2021-present).

Each year, the WLI creates a learning curriculum and a slate of networking events for members. Events include whole group meetings, seminars and sessions with both internal and external experts, networking breakfast meetings, University-sponsored events (e.g., Creative Arts performances, WVU women’s athletic events), and small group learning experiences.

Each year, the WLI creates a learning curriculum and a slate of networking events for members. Events include whole group meetings, seminars and sessions with both internal and external experts, networking breakfast meetings, University sponsored events (e.g., Creative Arts performances, WVU women’s athletic events), and small group “course-like” learning experiences. Events are updated each semester on this website and past events are archived as well.

DeFrank-Cole, L., Latimer, M., Neidermeyer, P., & Wheatly, M. (2016). Understanding “why” one University’s women’s leadership development strategies are so effective. Advancing Women in Leadership Journal. 36, 26-35.