WILpower Program
The WILpower Program offers women the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to map their own unique path to grow professionally and turn their excellence into success. This annual leadership development and networking program is offered virtually in Pacific and Eastern timezones.
In 2024 the WILpower Program will be virtual with opportunities for LWT organized in-person gatherings in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City.
What You Will Learn
WILPOWER WILL HELP YOU BUILD YOUR LEADESRHIP “TOOLBOX” TO:
Build your strategic brand
Project credibility and confidence
Cultivate practical emotional intelligence
Develop your career path
Enhance your Resume and LinkedIn
Negotiate for career success
Address imposter syndrome
Articulate a bold vision for your future
Discover effective networking
Strengthen leadership and business skills
Ensure your ideas and achievements are recognized and appreciated
“I could never have anticipated how much I would learn from the WILpower Program. The skills I gained and the others I honed allowed me to catapult forward in my career.”
Vanessa Garber
WILpower Workshops
Over the course of the annual WILpower Program, participants boost their knowledge and skills through a series of eight thoughtfully paced and interactive monthly workshops led by LWT’s impressive Speaker panel. While speakers may vary by location, each module is designed to build on the last. Each year the program content is updated to be relevant to the currently working environment, which has been powerful in the face of COVID-19 where women have to adapt in unprecedented times.
1. WELCOME TO WILPOWER & PAINLESS NETWORKING
Hear from the LWT volunteers, your guides for the Program. Develop a safe space to build community that will take you through the year and beyond.
5. NEGOTIATING YOUR CAREER
Strategic and effective leaders are skilled negotiators. Learn an effective plan to understand the market and then execute confidently to achieve success.
2. PLAN TO BE AMAZING
We all have amazing in us, but we have to learn how to adopt a strategic mindset to proactively bring that out when it’s most needed.
3. PROJECTING CREDIBILITY & CONFIDENCE
We break down science-based and easy-to-learn ways to help you convey executive presence and project composure, regardless of how you feel.
4. FUTURE YOU
Shift your perspective to think of yourself as the “product” and how you add value and make an impact for your “markets”. Learn how to help others buy into the vision of “future you”.
6. POWERFUL WOMEN & SELF-BULLYING
Learn how to recognize internalized bullying and take steps to gain better control of negative thoughts keeping you from being bold and authentic.
7. PRACTICAL EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE & HIGH IMPACT COMMUNICATION
High EQ is a direct correlate to success. Instead of reacting, learn thoughtful responsiveness when faced with workday challenges and difficult people.
8. CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE
We wrap up the year with a look back on the skills, actions, and mindsets we have learned and take them forward to turn our excellence into success.
Rings
SMALL DISCUSSION GROUPS
To reinforce the lessons learned in the WILpower workshops and apply what participants learn to their professional lives, the WILpower Program includes smaller informal discussion groups known as Rings. These groups are comprised of 4 - 6 women who attend workshops together. Rings are facilitated by WILpower alums volunteers who have experienced the impact of the WILpower Program first-hand.
No two Rings are exactly alike, as each will reflect the personality of the women and their unique goals for participating in WILpower. Even so, the goal for each Ring is to:
Connect with women to share key takeaways and learnings from WILpower
Share professional victories and challenges
Speak candidly about current and stretch goals
Provide social accountability and encourage each other to leverage their WILpower “toolbox”
Events
BUILDING NETWORKS
Effective networking is a key component of successful leadership, and the WILpower Program focuses on “painless networking” techniques to help participants build support for their career progression. There are opportunities throughout the program to meet other women and leverage the alum network.
PRACTICAL SEMINARS
From LinkedIn and Resume bootcamp to practicing authenticity & self promotion, throughout the year in person and virtual seminars offer hands on practice that aligns with the workshop themes.
SPEAKER PANELS
We bring together speakers from the WILpower alum network and our wonderful sponsors to hear from women who are at the top of their fields.
Who is WILpower For?
WOMEN ACROSS INDUSTRIES
WILpower attracts women from a broad range of professions — legal, HR, finance, operations, product, technology, engineering, sales, marketing, etc.
LWT welcomes individuals and sponsors from all roles and industries to support the goals of LWT, the WILpower Program, and women in the program.
MID-LEVEL AND SENIOR PROFESSIONALS
The program targets women with at least 4 years of experience, but a majority of participants have considerably more. In 2022 the WILpower Program had 44% of participants with 16+ years of experience.
PROMISING WOMEN LEADERS
The program is focused on high-potential professionals, working on getting that next promotion, taking on additional responsibility, and turning excellence into success. What each of them have in common is their focus on making seismic shifts in their leadership capabilities.
For many companies who sponsor the WILpower Program, partnering with LWT is their preferred way to offer meaningful talent development.
What does WILpower cost?
WHAT DOES WILPOWER COST?
The WILpower Program costs $650 per participant for nine months of professional development programming. This equates to over 30 hours of dynamic speaker-led workshops, small discussion groups, content-rich events, practical seminars, and networking events.
HOW DOES PRICING COMPARE TO SIMILAR OFFERINGS?
A comprehensive leadership development program like WILpower is typically quite expensive. Quality career coaching can start at $200-$500 per hour. Multi-day seminars and long-term programs can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
LWT’s objective is to make this program accessible to as many women as possible, offering the program at a fraction of the standard cost of high-quality professional development.
HOW CAN THE WILPOWER PROGRAM BE SO AFFORDABLE?
Our sponsors, volunteer board, and generous speakers who reduce their engagement fees to support the LWT mission allow us to offer the program at this low rate.
DOES WILPOWER OFFER SUBSIDIZED SEATS?
Yes! We are grateful to our sponsors who enable us to offer subsidized seats for the WILpower Program to women returning to the workforce, seeking employment, and working for nonprofits or government agencies. Each location has several seats reserved each year, and the cost for women selected is only $250.
If you qualify for a subsidy, and are interested in participating in next years WILpower Program, you can apply here. Once submitted, the location lead for your application will reach out if she has questions. The review process can take 2 - 3 weeks and the leader may reach out to speak with you. Once approved you’ll receive an email to register.
WILpower FAQs
WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR THE ANNUAL WILPOWER PROGRAM?
Applications for general and subsidized seats open October 2023. The final day to submit an application is January 30, 2024 as long as there are still seats available.
You apply here!
WHEN ARE THE WORKSHOPS?
Workshops kick off in February and normally take place from 8:00am - 10:00am local time, usually Friday. Participants are invited to arrive early at 7:45am to ensure their technology is set up and have the opportunity to chat with their location lead and fellow WILpower women — and maybe even meet the speaker!
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS?
On a monthly basis, participants will spend at least 2.5 hours with the program:
Workshop Pre-Work: 30 Minutes
Workshops: 2 Hours
In addition participants are invited to join a Ring and attend events:
Rings: 1 Hour (more as desired)
Events: 1 - 3 Hours per Event
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A WORKSHOP?
The WILpower workshops are designed to build upon each other and expand your network. We encourage you to attend as many as you can to get the most out of the program.
If you miss a workshop, please reach out to your location lead and she can help you attend one in another location or in some cases view a recording.
HOW ARE PARTICIPANTS SELECTED? WHAT ARE MY ODDS OF GETTING INTO THE WILPOWER PROGRAM?
The location leaders for WILpower oversee applications in each geography. They review years of experience, industry, and applicant interest. There are 80 seats per location.
Ultimately, applications for both general and subsidized seats are reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis until each location is full.
That said, sponsors have early access to reserve seats and register their participants.
HOW CAN I CONVINCE MY EMPLOYER TO PAY FOR MY WILPOWER PROGRAM?
We find that employers are very receptive to requests to support their high-achieving women with professional development programs like WILpower.
To use a company card or get reimbursed, we have a sample e-mail that you can customize to share with your manager or HR person.
You may also want to share the LWT WILpower Overview Brochure, which provides more background information.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON REFUNDS?
Fees for the WILpower Program and other LWT events are non-refundable. If you believe you have an exceptional situation that merits special consideration, please contact us with an explanation of the circumstances.
WHO ARE THE VOLUNTEERS? WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?
All of LWT’s volunteers are women who have previously attended the WILpower Program — the board members, ring leaders, event coordinators, and many other wonderful gals who make the program possible.
If you are interested in volunteering with LWT, please contact us.