Women Leading the Way

In January 2011 the Minerva Foundation launched Women Leading the Way (WLW) - a three year pilot program that will take “women who want to lead” through a part-time, year-long, advanced leadership development training program.

WLW is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the stories and experience of a diverse group of a women leaders.
I love the interactive workshops and speakers on a wide variety of topics
and I take what I learn to work with me every day
and put it to practical use.
WLW participant

Women Leading the Way is a unique hands-on leadership training program that will encourage women to move to the next level in their leadership journey. The program will offer these women the tools and techniques to: develop their leadership abilities; enable them to move in to positions of greater influence and responsibility; and affect political, business, or social change in communities/organizations of their choice.

The goal of Women Leading the Way is to increase women’s participation in leadership roles and their ability to affect change in political, business or social sectors throughout B.C.

This initial pilot program will have two intakes, each cohort accepting up to 25 women. The first six months involves classroom/on-line training and the following six months involves applying these leadership skills to a specific project, with the help of mentors. Women Leading the Way will also host a national/global conference in Vancouver in 2013.

Participating in Minerva’s Women Leading the Way program has given me the opportunity to:
network with great leaders,
continue on building great leadership skills,
learn, grow, reach out, guidance, mentor,
get involved, sit at the table, and the capacity to build great success,
learn something new and apply those skills, not only to my business life, but to my personal life,
and build lifelong bonds and friendships.
WLW Participant

The cost for the 12 month program is $2500 which covers all classes, tutorials, mentoring, tutors, and program materials. In addition, fees include attendance at the national/global conference in 2013. Travel bursaries may be available for participants who live outside the Lower Mainland. Please note that participants will be responsible for their own food and accommodation for the duration of their stay in Vancouver.

The first cohort started in January of 2011. We are thrilled with the caliber of women who have applied. They represent a diverse range of backgrounds, sectors and experience and come from all across the province.

Spreading the learning sessions out over time
permits real-life reflection and practice.
When the group convenes, we safely inspect the previous month’s outcomes, celebrating our advances!
WLW participant

The second cohort is set to start in September of 2011. Deadline for applications for the September start has been extended to May 16, 2011.
We encourage you to apply early.

Read more about the program details and application process.

Find out how you can get involved as a mentor or host organization.

For more information contact:
Danna Murray, Program Director or Jo-Anne Lauzer, Program Coordinator. Ph: (604) 683-7635 ext. 228 or Email: wlw@theminervafoundation.com

For a copy of our spring media release, click WLW PSA Press Release April 5, 2011

Minerva acknowledges the generous financial support of
Status of Women Canada.

Presenting Sponsor

Wisdom Sponsor

Inspiration Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsor

Media Sponsor

When I moved to Canada in 1998, I was pregnant and all alone. I was scared as to how I would take care of my daughter without a decent standard of education. I realized that without English I would be useless so I focused on improving my English by attending ESL classes at Vancouver Community College. When my English level improved, I was confident enough to go for science courses. And in 2003, the Minerva Foundation offered me the Minerva Foundation Award For BC Women in recognition of my excellent grades at school.
This scholarship changed my life as it offered me the opportunity to take post secondary course. Then when I entered the Licensed Practical Nursing Program in 2006, I faced financial problems. Again, it was Minerva that helped me with funds to solve my financial problems. Now I am working as an LPN and have solid hopes of furthering myself in this field.
Thanks so much to Minerva for giving me a life of hope. Thank you so much Minerva for helping me by believing in my abilities.

Sasiratha Uthayakumar, LPN