Applications for 2025-26 National Principal and District/CMO Fellowships Open this Week
The goal of the WOCEC is to create a diverse and thriving professional network of women leaders by providing leadership development programs to enhance executive skills, build robust connections among members, and provide self-care and wellness strategies while serving in demanding positions.
Our tailored program enhances the knowledge and expertise that fellows have to navigate complex leadership challenges and drive impactful results.
The WOCEC offers two fellowship programs: the District/Charter Management Organization (CMO) Fellows and Principal Fellows. Applications are now open for both new cohorts. Each program is designed to support leaders by enhancing leadership skills, building a strong network of women leaders, and empowering participants to lead with innovation.
The Principal Fellow program is a five-month program for school principals who are preparing for district/CMO leadership roles. Key development areas include self-care, district/CMO and board relations, budgeting and resource allocation, conflict management, and communication skills. The program includes four virtual sessions and one in-person meeting. Fellows also receive one hour of executive coaching each month and a WOCEC health and wellness coach who will guide fellows on strategies for self-care, promoting a balanced approach to the demanding responsibilities of school, district, and CMO leadership.
The District/CMO Fellow program is a nine month initiative designed for district and CMO leaders, combining professional development with personalized executive coaching. This program includes four virtual sessions and two in-person convenings. Each District/CMO Fellow is paired with an executive coach for targeted support tailored to the needs identified by the fellow. Additionally, a WOCEC health and wellness coach will guide fellows on strategies for self-care, promoting a balanced approach to the demanding responsibilities of district leadership.
Click here for more info.
Connect with the WOCEC at the NABSE Conference in Atlanta
Here are two ways that you can connect with the WOCEC team at NABSE this week in Atlanta.
(1) Attend the session by WOCEC executive coaches Dr. Danita Ishibashi and Dr. Denise Lowe called Principal Leadership Pipeline for Women of Color: What Does Meaningful Support Look Like? The session is at 2:00 pm on Saturday and will delve into five critical areas that transitioning leaders need to leverage to promote their success: self-care, budget/resource allocation, board relations, conflict management, and communication.
(2) Visit the WOCEC booth, #48, in the exhibit hall and meet with WOCEC CEO and president Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett and other WOCEC personnel to learn about the WOCEC”s next cohort of principal and district/CMO fellows; membership options; and executive coaching, which can be purchased on site.
The 10th Anniversary of McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace Report
This effort is the largest study of women in corporate America, and for this year’s report, McKinsey collected information from 281 participating organizations that collectively employ more than ten million people. At them, they surveyed more than 15,000 employees and more than 280 HR leaders, who shared insights on policies and practices. The report provides an intersectional look at the specific biases and barriers faced by Asian, Black, Latina, and LGBTQ+ women, as well as women with disabilities.
Exhibit from “Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report,” September 2024, McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org, www.womenintheworkplace.com. Copyright (c) 2024 McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.
Connect with WOCEC National Convening Keynote Speaker Michelle Singletary
The WOCEC was so happy to have Michelle Singletary at its national convening in October, and at the moment we are reading her book The 21 Day Financial Fast. In it you discover practical ways to achieve financial freedom and experience what it truly means to live a life of financial peace and prosperity. Click here to connect.
And Connect with WOCEC National Convening Keynote Speaker Elizabeth Leiba
The WOCEC’s recent district/CMO cohort read her book I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace, and you can get to her podcast and e-learning platform Black History & Culture Academy by clicking the below. Click here to connect.