Program Overview:
Module 1: Self-Awareness for Leaders
Module 2: Communication for Leaders
Module 3: Leading Teams
Module 4: Innovative Leadership
Program Takeaways:
Center for Innovative Leadership
Sarah Waylett
Kim Keefer
Cynthia King
Jocelyn Boulware Bruce
Cynthia Radford
Jeanine Stratton
Shaniece Criss
Angelica Lozano-Alonso
Janna Pennington
Mary Sturgill
Maegan Azar
F25-26
Start date:
End date:
Enroll by:
Friday 8:30am 4:30pm America/New_York
The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) is powered by instructors who bring a blend of research, professional expertise, and real-world experiences to this course. They’re passionate about helping participants unlock their full potential, boost their confidence, and amplify their leadership voices.
Maegan Azar brings more than a decade of experience in performance, directing, and collaborative leadership to WLI. She draws on her extensive work with professional theatre companies, national associations, and international training institutes to help women leaders strengthen communication, presence, and creative confidence.
An educator and dialogue practitioner, Jocelyn Boulware Bruce centers her work at the intersection of pedagogy, social justice, and community engagement. As co-director of Furman’s Intergroup Dialogue Program, she guides learners in developing the skills to navigate difference, build understanding, and foster inclusive spaces.
A public health scholar and qualitative researcher, Dr. Shaniece Criss is known for her work at the intersection of health equity, community advocacy, and policy leadership. In WLI, she empowers women to lead with clarity, purpose, and a deep understanding of community impact.
A certified StrengthsFinder coach, Kim Keefer specializes in helping individuals and teams discover their strengths and apply them with confidence. With years of experience in group facilitation, team building, and leadership development, she equips WLI participants with practical tools to deepen self-awareness and lead with purpose.
Dr. Cynthia King brings deep expertise in communication, academic leadership, and organizational culture. As co-director of the On Discourse Initiative, she helps learners develop the skills to communicate across differences and engage in meaningful dialogue. Her experience chairing a department enriches the WLI learning environment with insight, perspective, and heart.
Dr. Lozano-Alonso invites students to think globally and act inclusively. Her research on cultural identity and representation brings a fresh and interdisciplinary perspective to the classroom, inspiring women to see how culture and communication shape leadership in every setting.
Caroline Owen blends systems thinking, creativity, and operational excellence to design meaningful learning experiences. With a background in printmaking and interdisciplinary media, she brings a unique lens to leadership development, helping participants reflect, collaborate, and engage thoughtfully.
Janna Pennington is a collaborative leader with decades of experience in civic engagement, personal development, and organizational capacity-building. Her work in national service programs and higher education uniquely positions her to guide WLI participants in developing clarity, confidence, and a leadership identity rooted in service and impact.
Dr. Stratton has a keen eye for organizational behavior and workplace dynamics. Her research explores how leadership practices and organizational culture affect performance. In WLI, she helps women turn research into practice, guiding them to build stronger teams, thrive in their professional journeys, and embrace the possibilities ahead.
Former broadcaster Mary Sturgill brings the power of storytelling to life. With a rich background in anchoring, reporting, and producing for television and radio, she now helps women find and own their authentic voice. She provides WLI participants with the tools they need to refine their message, strengthen their storytelling skills, and communicate with confidence and clarity.
Learn more about how the WLI experience has impacted leaders. Participants leave with more than new strategies and enhanced skills. They’ve gained confidence, a powerful community of peers, and greater proficiency in leading change in their work and lives.
If you’re going to invest in this program, you have to be willing to reflect and refine yourself. It forced me to look in the mirror and recognize where I needed to shift. I realized I could have boundaries as a leader while being cordial and friendly. It helped me know when and how to address things.“
Dr. Edwina Perrin, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Leadership Matters Academy
The camaraderie, the joy that we all receive from being in class together every month, we miss it. So, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Brittany Brackett, Executive Director and Founder, Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative
Because of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, I became more comfortable and confident to have some crucial conversations with my manager and also above my team lead, even with his manager.”
Brooke Rennison, IT Innovation Strategist, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
[WLI] showed us some strengths that we didn’t really know we had as a group, but also as individuals. Everybody was very open. I felt respected the whole time.”
Brittany Brackett, Executive Director and Founder, Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative
You really need to consider it. So much of the program you can take with you, both content and relationship-wise.”
Brooke Rennison, IT Innovation Strategist, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
What’s it like to be part of the Women’s Leadership Initiative? Hear directly from participants as they describe WLI in one word and share how the program boosted their strengths and gave them the courage to step into crucial conversations. This course is leadership learning at its most authentic: challenging, enlightening, energizing, and fun.
The program is designed for leaders across every sector (business, nonprofit, education, and beyond) who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. It’s ideal for those seeking to expand their influence, refine their leadership voice, and build a strong professional network.
The Women’s Leadership Initiative meets in person once a month over five months in downtown Greenville. Each of these Friday sessions runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with breakfast, lunch, and refreshments provided. Between the sessions, the course also offers an online communication space where participants can connect with fellow cohort members, share ideas, and reflect on the content made available exclusively to each cohort.
WLI runs over five months, with a series of in-person sessions held once a month to balance learning and reflection with practice. This format allows participants to stay fully engaged in their careers while further developing their leadership expertise.
Participants leave with increased confidence, stronger communication and decision-making skills, and a network of peers who continue to support and inspire them long after the program ends. Many describe the experience as both career-shaping and life-changing.
Spring 2026 Dates: April 13, 2026
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