Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator

We are honored that Kimberly Dickens will be joining us next Wednesday to moderate our panel discussion titled Paving Pathways: Chicago Women Leaders! Kimberly Dickens is a skilled facilitator and executive coach with over twenty years of executive experience spanning financial services, technology, healthcare, industrials, consumer goods, and entertainment. Most recently, she served as Head of Business Strategy & Commercial Growth for Wells Fargo and previously as SVP & CMO for GE Capital. The Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator is SOLD OUT! We are so excited to welcome another 50 Chicago women leaders to the CWLA community. If you weren't able to snag your ticket before we sold out have no fear- the CWLA will return this Spring. More details coming your way soon!

At the upcoming CWLA, Alicia Del Real will lead an interactive session focused on emotional intelligence (EQ)—one of the key traits that set high-performing leaders apart. Research shows that EQ accounts for nearly 90 percent of what distinguishes senior executives beyond technical skills. During this dynamic session, CWLA attendees will explore how emotional intelligence can deepen leadership impact and will walk away with practical and applicable insights that will strengthen their leadership practice. Alicia Del Real is an Executive Coach and CEO of the The Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence (AEI). Alicia combines her experience as a seasoned executive with her graduate level education in Organizational Psychology. Her clients are senior leaders and high potential talent at some of the world’s most respected companies, and their shared efforts are aimed at raising the leader and organization’s level of engagement. Alicia finds that success in the long-term depends on emotional intelligence and developing this in the leader at the level of identity.

Cindu Thomas-George, co-founder of the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA), will guide attendees through an engaging and actionable professional development experience designed to enhance inclusive leadership capabilities. In today’s dynamic and diverse workplaces, inclusive leadership is critical to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Attendees will be empowered with actionable inclusion strategies—both organizational and interpersonal—to drive employee engagement, boost retention, and build an organizational culture where everyone feels valued. ?? Cindu is the Founder of Shakti Training and a seasoned Inclusion and Belonging Strategist with two decades of experience helping professionals become intentionally inclusive agents of change. Cindu is also an award-winning tenured professor of Communication Studies at the College of Lake County (CLC) specializing in Intercultural Communication and Public Speaking and is currently partnering with Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University, teaching and coaching on the topic of inclusive leadership. ??We are so excited to welcome another cohort of career driven women to the CWLA next Wednesday! Check out the link in the comments section ????to learn more about our commitment to empowering career driven women and closing the leadership gap.

Did you know that every CWLA participant receives a professional headshot by the amazing Pooja Shah, founder of TEMBO TONES, LLC?! ?? Since 2021, Pooja has captured the beauty, strength, and essence of over 200 incredible women leaders at the CWLA. Having a high-quality headshot is more than just a photo—it’s a powerful tool to elevate your professional profile. At the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator, we ensure every attendee walks away with actionable leadership skills and a stunning headshot that reflects their confidence and expertise. ??A multidisciplinary artist from Kenya with roots in India, Pooja’s work celebrates themes of womanhood, cultural identity, and the joy of the BIPOC experience. Pooja works with designers and brands to ideate and execute real world activations and events across the globe, and we’re beyond grateful to have her on the CWLA team. ?Don’t miss your chance to join us and receive a headshot that helps you shine as a leader. We are down to the very last few tickets before we reach maximum capacity. Hope to see you on December 4th! https://lnkd.in/gNbBAPuq

?? Excited to announce that Dr. Kathleen Caliento, Ph.D. will join us as a panelist at the upcoming Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator on December 4th! Dr. Caliento serves as the President & CEO of Cara Chicago, a social impact enterprise transforming lives affected by poverty while fostering a more inclusive economy. Her career reflects an unwavering commitment to civic leadership, social justice, and community engagement. Beyond her role at Cara Collective, Dr. Caliento serves on several influential boards, including Adler University, Leadership Greater Chicago LFA, and the Hollister Confidence Fund Advisory Board. She is a Fellow of the 2020 Leadership Greater Chicago class, a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, and an alum of the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy. Dr. Caliento’s leadership journey—spanning nearly three decades of advocating for educational equity, workforce development, and economic empowerment—will undoubtedly inspire us all. Leadership from mission driven women like Dr. Caliento is vital as we navigate the challenges of today and build a more equitable future! We are down to the last few tickets for the upcoming Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator- secure your seat to join us on December 4th!

We are thrilled to welcome Mary Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Lincoln International, as a featured speaker at our Breaking Barriers panel discussion on December 4th taking place at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates Mary's incredible journey, spanning 16 years at Lincoln International, showcases the power of leveraging institutional knowledge and acquired skills to evolve into impactful leadership roles. As COO, she drives change management initiatives, champions operational efficiency, and provides strategic leadership across the firm. Her insights promise to inspire and empower! ?? What makes the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator unique? What sets the CWLA apart from most other leadership conferences is our unwavering commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and targeted focus on developing mid-level managers and emerging people leaders. We bring together women of various backgrounds, industries, and identities to foster meaningful growth and collaboration. Don’t miss your chance to join a community of 200+ Chicago women who recommend this transformational day of leadership development. Register now and be part of a community dedicated to advancing women in leadership! https://lnkd.in/gNbBAPuq #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment

Looking to gain actionable insights and connect with trailblazing women leaders who have shattered barriers in the workplace? Join us at the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator on December 4th for a transformative day of growth, learning, and empowerment. We’re thrilled to announce LeMinh Hoang, Director of People and Culture at the MacArthur Foundation, as one of our esteemed panelists. With a remarkable career spanning Fortune 500 companies to startups, LeMinh brings unmatched insights into building thriving workplace cultures and driving professional growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from inspiring leaders like LeMinh who are shaping the future of leadership. Secure your spot today and take the next step in your professional journey. https://lnkd.in/dAg8mmUq

A Huge Thank You to Skadden! ?? We are thrilled to announce that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates will host the upcoming?Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA)?on?December 4th?in their stunning new Loop location!?Join us as we welcome another cohort of?50 career-driven women?to this transformative day of leadership development. We are grateful to Skadden for their commitment to advancing women in the workplace. Narrowing the leadership gap becomes possible when leaders and organizations work collectively to equip women in the workplace with the skills, tools, and the network to lead effectively. Join us on December 4th to unlock potential, drive change, and expand your network of women leaders. Let’s build a future where women thrive at every level of leadership! ??? Tickets are selling fast! Visit our website to register today. Sliding scale options and scholarships are available to ensure accessibility for all. https://lnkd.in/gNbBAPuq #leadershipdevelopment #womenleaders #chicagobusiness

We've come so far....have we though? Women have been told to wait their turn, be patient, progress is happening. The research shows otherwise. All genders lose when women are not represented equitably. Allies do not accept the status quo. #DEI #leadership #allyship

The need for advancing women into leadership has never been more urgent and the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator is working to build a pipeline of strong and empowered women leaders who are ready to lead us into the future! Speaking of strong and empowered women leaders…. We are honored and humbled that Mary Weber, LeMinh Hoang, and Kathleen Caliento, Ph.D. will be joining us at the upcoming CWLA on December 4th. These accomplished and inspiring women will share their insights, experiences, and lessons they have learned for successfully leading in today’s complex business landscape. Join us on December 4th for an interactive, and empowering day of leadership development. Support our mission to ensure that women leaders aren’t just at the table but are shaping the future of leadership! Space is limited to 50 women. Tickets are moving fast- grab your seat today! ?? Learn More and Register: https://lnkd.in/gvmz4bkC