Advancing Women of Color in Leadership

Women of color executives standing discussion

Gain the insight, skills, and relationships that help women of color realize their leadership potential and fulfill their ambitions.

  • Dates

    Apr 27 – 30, 2025

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    In-Person

  • Location

    HBS Campus

  • Fee

    $5,750

  • Application Due

    Apr 17, 2025

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

Download Brochure

Demographic diversity helps organizations innovate, perform, and grow. Yet women of color face challenges finding career success and satisfaction. 

Advancing Women of Color in Leadership, presented jointly with the HBS Leadership Initiative, builds on the latest leadership, diversity, and inclusion research to increase access to equal opportunity in organizations. The program empowers its participants with practical steps to reach their ambitions, help others do the same, and continue building on the contributions of different generational groups. 

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Own your authentic identity in a diverse workplace with confidence and authority  

  • Expand your self-awareness and strengthen your emotional intelligence   

  • Build and lead productive and diverse teams 

  • Develop contextual intelligence and manage performance in emerging markets 

  • Recognize the obstacles faced by women, particularly women of color in establishing effective networks  

  • Foster others' growth by becoming an effective mentor or champion 

  • Establish a personal vision and career plan

Program Format

  • 4
    days on the HBS campus
  • 9–12
    hours of pre-program work

Case materials and a detailed schedule will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Who Should Attend

  • Rising stars in mid-to-large-sized organizations, including mid-level managers, account managers, or subject-matter experts with 7-20 years of professional experience 

  • While the program content is focused on women and nonbinary people of color and their allies, the program is open to all who fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here  

Global Perspective

Two women of color talk sitting on the banch
2%
Africa
2%
Asia Pacific
6%
Europe
2%
Latin America
1%
Middle East
87%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 20%

    High Technology

  • 16%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 12%

    Financial

  • 10%

    Professional Services

  • 7%

    Manufacturing

  • 5%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 5%

    Communications

  • 4%

    Education

  • 3%

    Consumer Products

  • 3%

    Retail Services

Experience

Years Worked

  • 11%

    Less than 10 years

  • 28%

    10-14 years

  • 31%

    15-19 years

  • 20%

    20-24 years

  • 5%

    25-29 years

  • 5%

    30-34 years

Companies That Have Participated

  • Alkami
  • Amazon
  • Corning
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Lenovo
  • Pinterest
  • Stellantis
  • Netflix
  • Target Corporation
  • T-Mobile

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

  • Linda A. Hill

    Linda A. Hill

    Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This in-person program takes place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.