Strategic Management Expertise and Success at the Highest Level

Studies indicate that increasing the number of women in leadership positions can make organizations more successful. Greater gender diversity on management teams also enhances creativity and innovation—broadening perspectives, ideas and approaches to problem-solving.

We offer two certificate programs for women seeking knowledge and growth. You take six sessions—all in person—with a cohort of women professionals.

• In St. Louis, the Women’s Leadership Program is designed to sharpen the skills you need to succeed in the C-suite or in a position that requires enterprise-wide management.
• In Washington, DC, the Women’s Leadership Program allows women leaders to share knowledge and experiences with high-performing women from a diverse group of government agencies.

Receive 25% Off Courses

Once you complete a womens leadership certificate from either location, you can receive 25% off all future executive education courses from WashU Olin and WashU at Brookings. This includes Advanced Certificates.

Women’s Leadership Program

St. Louis

Learn how to make decisions confidently, exert power and influence wisely, negotiate strategically, and manage change effectively in the Women’s Leadership Program. The certificate program brings together developmental resources key to women’s leadership and job satisfaction. Our exceptional speakers are all seasoned female leaders.

This course can count for up to 6 units toward the Advanced Management Certificate or Certificate in Public Leadership. Earn your certificate at your own pace—there’s no time limit for completion. 

Fall 2025 Cohort: Oct 10, 2025 - Apr 10, 2026. 

Location: St. Louis

Format: in person

Cost: $6,600

Delivered through WashU Olin

Fall 2025 Cohort

Power, Politics and Informal Leadership:

Learn the unwritten rules of the organization by exploring three critical skills of informal leadership: Navigating politics, understanding power, and exercising influence. 

Oct 10, 2025, 8:00–4:00 p.m. CT (in-person session), Michelle Duguid, PhD

Effective Negotiation Strategies:

Gain a better understanding of the basic theories of negotiation and improve your ability to maximize total value when negotiating. 

Nov 12, 2025, 8:00–4:00 p.m. CT (in-person session), Rebecca Hollander-Blumoff, PhD, JD

Inclusive Leadership:

Working Across Differences: Learn to leverage the differences of key stakeholders and achieve better results internally and externally. 

Jan 12, 2026, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT (in person session), Gisele Marcus

Organizational Culture:

Learn evidence-based techniques to integrate into your daily work practices to increase personal well-being and professional impact within your organization. 

Feb 11, 2026, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT (in person session), Mandy O'Neil

Cultivating Executive Presence:

Learn and apply specific strategies to better use your personal attributes and values to cultivate a strong, authentic executive presence. 

Mar 11, 2026, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT (in person session), Cathy Dunkin

Leveraging Your Strengths:

Assess your personal strengths so you can create a plan to focus on these strengths and use them more often. 

Apr, 2026, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT (in person session), Michelle Duguid, PhD

Women’s Leadership Program

Washington, DC

Learn how to lead change from positions of formal and informal authority. Acquire skills to negotiate successfully in any workplace situation. And enhance your ability to communicate with authenticity and impact. The content is geared toward challenges faced by women and is delivered in a supportive learning environment. As a member of the cohort, you have access to the WashU at Brookings community, giving you a career-long alumni network of female government leaders.

There’s no GS-level requirement to participate in this program. And it can count for up to 6 units toward the Certificate in Public Leadership or Advanced Management Certificate.

Next session to be announced. 

Location: DC

Format: In Person

Cost: $6,600

Delivered though WashU at Brookings

Spring 2025

Power, Politics and Informal Leadership

TBD, 8:00–4:00 p.m. ET 

Effective Negotiation Strategies

TBD, 8:00–4:00 p.m. ET 

Cultivating Executive Presence

TBD, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET 

Organizational Culture

TBD, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET 

Inclusive Leadership: Working Across Differences

TBD, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET (in person session)

Leveraging your Strengths

TBD, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET (in person session)