Arizona Foundation for Women Announces SHE Leads!, New Local Women’s Leadership Program

PHOENIX — Arizona Foundation for Women (AFW), a not-for-profit agency that advocates for Arizona women’s causes, is today launching  SHE Leads!, a women’s-centric leadership program dedicated to advancing Arizona’s women. Women interested in honing their personal, professional and organizational leadership skills by taking part in this inaugural program are encouraged to apply between Oct. 12 and Oct. 30.

The SHE Leads! program offers a unique leadership curriculum specifically designed by women for women. This six-month-long program, running January through June in 2021, is ideal for women who desire to move into a leadership position, move to the next level of management or who are new to leadership and would benefit from a formal training experience.

“We at AFW are proud to now manage this valuable leadership development project which has proven to benefit women in Arizona,” said Mesha Davis, CEO, of AFW. “By implementing our holistic pillars of safety, health and economic empowerment to this redesigned program, our graduates will have the skills to lead our state in any and all settings.”

The SHE Leads! curriculum includes modules that focus on teaching personal, professional and organizational leadership capabilities, all of which are critically important to advancing in a leadership role. In addition to advancing leadership skills, the program provides networking opportunities with fellow cohorts, mentors, program alumni and presenters.

“Leaders are chosen for their ability to make an impact.,” said Barbara Schifano, Board of Directors for AFW and SHE Leads! program chair. “This program is designed to teach women the fundamentals of leadership to make an impact through increased self-awareness, accelerating team performance, and advancing organizational success through strategic partnerships.”

The program will culminate in a fundraising project that will allow participants to draw on all of the skills they have learned and apply them toward real-life causes. A percentage of the money raised through the fundraising efforts by the first SHE Leads! class will be granted to local organizations in Arizona that support the safety, health and economic empowerment of women, in line with AFW’s mission.

The SHE Leads! Program, created by local business owner Catherine Alonzo and her company, Javelina, was previously operated under Arizona Women’s Education and Employment, Inc. (AWEE) and most recently by A New Leaf before being acquired by AFW, where the program has undergone rebranding and curriculum changes.

Application details can be found at azfw.org/she-leads and may be submitted from Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 30.