The Women's Leadership Forum

Executives talk while walking on the HBS campus

Take your leadership skills to the next level alongside an exceptional group of senior businesswomen from around the world. 

  • Dates

    Mar 3 – 7, 2025

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    In-Person

  • Location

    HBS Campus

  • Fee

    $13,500

  • Application Due

    Feb 14, 2025

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

Download Brochure

Today's organizations strive to grow leaders from within but continue to overlook the talents of executives who identify as women or non-binary. 

Expand your repertoire of leadership strategies at The Women's Leadership Forum by learning from other successful women who've overcome challenges in their industries and organizations. You'll leave re-energized about your career with a new approach to leadership and a realistic agenda for creating change in your organization. 

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  •  Improve your ability to drive change and help your organization achieve key goals  

  • Lead with confidence and influence  

  • Get inspiration and tools for creating the career of your dreams  

  • Explore new ideas in a supportive environment 

  • Enhance your organization’s culture and leadership capacity  

Program Format

  • 5
    days on the HBS campus
  • 12–15
    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

  • Individuals that identify as women or non-binary who are in senior leadership positions in public and private companies and nonprofit organizations. This includes senior executives, business owners and entrepreneurs, and business unit leaders  

  • Individuals that identify as women or non-binary who are at an inflection point in their careers and looking to sharpen their vision 

  • While the program is designed for executives who identify as women or non-binary, the program is open to all who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here 

Global Perspective

Group of four women in conversation
7%
Africa
10%
Asia Pacific
15%
Europe
6%
Latin America
4%
Middle East
58%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 17%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 15%

    Financial

  • 10%

    Health Care

  • 10%

    High Technology

  • 10%

    Professional Services

  • 6%

    Education

  • 5%

    Manufacturing

  • 4%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 3%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 3%

    Communications

Experience

Years Worked

  • 2%

    10-14 years

  • 26%

    15-19 years

  • 31%

    20-24 years

  • 25%

    25-29 years

  • 10%

    30-34 years

  • 5%

    35-39 years

  • 1%

    40 or more

Companies That Have Participated

  • Accenture
  • Adidas
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • CEMEX Mexico
  • CooperVision
  • Moody's Analytics
  • Novartis
  • PepsiCo
  • Pricewaterhouse Coopers
  • Rabobank
  • SAP
  • The World Bank Group

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

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.