"As a longtime supporter of the YWCA and the mission of empowering women, I am thrilled to be a part of this leadership development program. I have had opportunities to work with many tremendous men and women. This is an opportunity for personal and community investment in the rich resource of women's leadership, which is central to the success of a business, family, community and nation."

-Elizabeth Kearney

                   6.7 CEUs are available through Minnesota Sate university Mankato, Extended  Learning  

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

       -Marianne Williamson

The YWCA and the Mankato Business and Professional Women's organization (BPW) are proud to sponsor the Elizabeth Kearney Women's Leadership Development Program. This program builds skills and mentors women to become future leaders in our workplaces and community.

This is a gender-specific leadership development program that takes a cohort of 30 women through nine months of capacity building, mentoring and support. It focuses on the unique challenges women face in becoming leaders in our workplace and community.

Brochure

Download the Application

(program dates and topics listed)

Kathie Davis Scholarship 

To continue the legacy of her work and spirit, the Kathie Davis Scholarship is available for selected participants in the program. Women active in rural and/or agricultural issues are encouraged to apply.

Contributions for the scholarship fund may be made to the YWCA -- Kathie Davis Scholarship.

Kathie's Bio

Maria Avila

Student, SCC

Tiffany Bengtson

Open Door Health Center

Katie Boone

Greater Mankato Area United Way

Paulette Ford

Retired

Nancy Fredersickon

The Book Keeping Center

Jean Groskreutz

SunRich

Lisa Hardesty

ISJ-MHS

Lisa Hill

Souther MN Regional Legal Services

Nasra Ibrahim

ISD 77

Terri Jensen

Jensen Appraisal

Wendy Keenan

Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP

Rebecca Krenik

Garden Partners

Liesl Kruse

Business & Homecare Service

Becky Kunst

LEEP

Jennifer Rath

Greater Mankato CVB

Liz Sharp

Greater Mankato Growth Inc.

Melanie Schmidt

Community Ed & Rec.

Kelcey Woods-Nord

South Central College

"The Elizabeth Kearney Women's Leadership Development Program has transformed the way I view my role as a leader. The program has taught me how to live in my areas of strength and to be deliberate in how I lead my life. I feel I have renewed energy to help me make a difference at my workplace, in the community, and with my family. The program has provided an exceptional networking opportunity to meet and work with amazing women from diverse backgrounds. My confidence as a leader has increased exponentially and I know I can lead both a successful and happy life".

Kari Juni, Director of Customer Relations

Hickory Tech

"The Women's Leadership Program has given me a glimpse into my community I didn't have before. It made me look inside as well as outside myself. We were a powerful, enthusiastic group of women that has dormant dreams awakened; internal challenges calling us to a new level. Each month we heard women share their real-life stories on how they impacted their world. It made me realize. ..I'm just like her and if she can change her world, I can to! Every month we walked away with a new set of tools to use in our lives; things that no one can take away from us. Now it's our turn to use them change our world. What a great gift that we will keep on giving. Thanks for this opportunity."

Press On!

Julie Hawker

Outsource Training Providers, LLC

Laura Stevens

Household Engineer

"This class is challenging me to look at areas of my life that I normally take for granted. I am beginning to understand who I am and what I want to do with my life."

Kristee Richards

Household Engineer

"I had no idea the amount of material  and ideas that would be shared that would directly impact my life. This is truly the most powerful program I have ever attended. "

Susan McPartland, CEO

From the Woods

"How do you define leadership? Who is a leader? How does one lead effectively? Why aren't there more recognized women leaders?  My expectations have been blown out of the water by the incredible learning opportunities and actual leadership examples brought to the table during our training sessions. This is not what I expected! It is so much more than I could have hoped for. Layers have been peeled away and new energy, focus, and courage have been brought to the surface."

Nancy Pehling

"In brief, the participants were delighted with their experience in the Elizabeth Kearney Women's Leadership Development Program."

Dr. Anthony Filipovitch

Program Evaluator