Women's Leadership Essentials—Virtual

Two female colleagues speaking across a desk in a bright office, beside an open laptop.

Expand your impact. Evolve into the kind of leader you've always imagined with other experienced businesswomen from around the world.

  • Dates

    Apr 27 – Jun 1, 2027

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    Virtual

  • Location

    Virtual

  • Fee

    $7,250

  • Application Due

    Apr 16, 2027

The program fee covers tuition and program materials.

Download Sample Schedule

Women leaders face unique challenges.

In Women's Leadership Essentials—Virtual, presented jointly with the HBS Race, Gender & Equity Initiative, you will find your own best path to personal and professional growth while gaining new leadership skills and strategies. Exploring the paths of leaders who have purposefully managed their growth and influence, you will leave with an expanded toolkit for driving change, leading effectively, achieving your goals, and navigating career transitions.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Make career choices based on your values, purpose, and goals for life and work

  • Deepen your skills for building trust and leading high-performing teams

  • Expand and leverage your personal and professional networks

  • Learn effective negotiation strategies for advancing your career

  • Gain critical skills for leading change in complex environments

  • Strengthen resilience, manage energy, and sustain performance over time

  • Define and step into a leadership identity that reflects your values and strengths

Program Format

  • 12
    live online class sessions
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

Every Tuesday, participants will attend discussion groups from 9:30–10:00 a.m. ET, followed by live online classroom sessions 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET. Leadership development groups will also meet Wednesdays 9:30–11:00 a.m. ET.

Who Should Attend

Individuals from any industry or business function who identify as women or nonbinary, have 8+ years of professional experience, and want to recharge their careers—whether they have stepped away from the workforce for a time, reached a career plateau, or want to move in a new direction.

While the program is designed for professionals who identify as women or nonbinary, the program is open to all who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please view our policy on nondiscrimination for more information.

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

Faculty

The HBS Experience

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind.

Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. Additionally, virtual learning groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

HBS professor Frei teaches in the Live Online Classroom

Purposefully designed to bring the classroom to life for both participants and faculty

HBS professor in front of a digital board in the Live Online Classroom

State-of-the-art technology delivers active, engaging learning

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.

Admissions Quick Facts

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.