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.

We’re looking for additional sponsors to support us in providing more opportunities for young women to join us. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring, please email us at info@womenanddemocracy.org.


How to Apply

Applicants can submit a written or video application.

  1. Applications open on Thursday, June 5

  2. Applications close on Friday, July 11

  3. Selected participants will be notified on Saturday, July 12

  4. The Institute is from Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25 from 9:00-2:30pm

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

If you have questions about the application or need help please email info@womenanddemocracy.org.

Our Sponsors

Bellevue College Foundation logo

Meet our Speakers & Facilitators

  • Brittany Gregory

    Executive Director, WA Women’s Commission

  • Michaela Doelman

    Chief HR Officer, WA Office of Financial Management

  • Jaspreet Gill

    Senior International Relations Professional, U.S. Department of State

  • Grace Yoo

    Assistant Director, WA Department of Commerce

  • Iris Friday

    Co-Founder, Native Action Network

  • Dar'Nesha Weary

    Owner & Co-Founder, Black Coffee Northwest

  • TraeAnna Holiday

    Director of Communications, WA Office of Equity

  • Halei Watkins

    Communications Manager, King County Elections

  • Stasha Espinosa

    Communications Director, WA Office of Financial Management

  • Melannie Denise Cunnngham

    Founder & CEO, The Cunningham Network

  • Jennifer Lee Hoffman

    Professor, College of Education, University of Washington

  • Ayanna Colman

    Chief HR Officer, WA Office of Administrative Hearings

  • Aparna Rae

    Strategist, Speaker & Author, Future of Work


  • Lisa Fain

    CEO, Center for Mentoring Excellence

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