Leadership Institute

The power of women in leadership.

Leadership development is a core element of our mission and values, and for over 20 years, we have helped women become powerful leaders through education, connection, and mentorship. Our programming is designed to inspire and empower women leaders to lead where they land.

The Leadership Institute is a five day program offering a diverse curriculum to help develop leadership skills, personal and professional development, and civic engagement goals. The Institute is free of cost for participants.

We incorporate technology to engage participants before, during, and after the week which, encourages ongoing learning, supports their engagement work, and offering mentorship and connection building.

2025 Leadership Institute
July 21 to July 25 | Bellevue College

The in-person Institute is free of cost for participants, and anyone based in Washington State is welcome to apply. We welcome upper level high school and current college students to apply, you must be 16 or older to join. Full day sessions, materials, parking, commuting, breakfast, lunch, and snacks are all provided. Housing and other meals are the responsibility of the participants.

We especially encourage women from diverse backgrounds, and those who otherwise wouldn’t have the resources or opportunity to attend a leadership development program, to apply.

As a participant you’ll network with your peers, learn new leadership skills, meet experienced public officials and private industry leaders, receive mentorship, and outline your civic engagement goals and tangible steps to achieving them.

Applications are now closed

Women of Colour Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation logo

If you have questions about your application please email info@womenanddemocracy.org.

Our Sponsors

Bellevue College Foundation logo

Meet our Speakers & Facilitators

  • Brittany Gregory

    Executive Director, WA Women’s Commission

  • Jaspreet Gill

    Former - U.S. Department of State

  • Grace Yoo

    Assistant Director, WA Department of Commerce

  • Halei Watkins

    Communications Manager, King County Elections

  • Stasha Espinosa

    Communications Director, WA Office of Financial Management

  • Lisa Fain

    CEO, Center for Mentoring Excellence

  • Ayanna Colman

    Chief HR Officer, WA Office of Administrative Hearings

  • TraeAnna Holiday

    Director of Communications, WA Office of Equity

  • Jennifer Lee Hoffman

    Professor, College of Education, University of Washington

  • Senator Slatter

    WA State 48th Legislative District

  • Representative Mena

    WA State 29th Legislative District

  • Kelly McGannon

    Technology & Geopolitical Strategist
    Ex-Central Intelligence Agency

Leadership Institute Alumna

“It opened up a terrific network for me. I was empowered by the amazing women I met.”

— Kristyna Larch, Attorney

“(The program) taught me to recognize the value of mentoring others.’’

— Gayatri Eassey, Former Special Assistant to Governor Gregoire

“I always thought there was one specific path to follow…what I learned from all these different women is that they went in the direction of something that interested them. It was reassuring to learn that there is no one 'right way' to go about it."

— Nichole Shippen, Student