WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS
Women Who Mean Business is an executive leadership development program for high-achievers in rising leadership roles eager to accelerate their careers. || Begins September 18, 2024

How Leaders Tackle Today’s Business Challenges

Tackling the challenges of today’s business environment demands that leaders bring every tool and resource they have to the table. Human capital is critical, and no organization can succeed in an ever-changing business climate without its best talent at-the-ready. And yet recent events have heightened the already daunting challenge of developing and retaining our best leaders. Women Who Mean Business is designed specifically to arm already successful leaders with the tools and perspectives they need to not only stay and thrive in the workplace but to achieve their full potential.

Cohort 5 Session Dates

Session 1
Session 1
September 18-19
Session 2
Session 2
November 21-22
Session 3
Session 3
January 23-24
Session 4
Session 4
April 3-4
Inspiring
I've literally never been in a group of women like this before. It has been inspiring and it actually feels like a place where I belong.
Christina, Fall 2021 Cohort
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Taught by two CEOs and University of Texas McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame honorees, Gay Gaddis and Lynn Utter, the program brings Gaddis’s entrepreneurial background and Utter’s corporate experience together for a comprehensive leadership program for rapid career advancement.
FOUR SESSIONS WITH ONE GOAL : RISE WITH CONFIDENCE
Consisting of four, two-day hands-on sessions conducted over a six-month timeframe, the program offers real-world experiences and the tools needed to rise to the top.
Unique and Empowering
It's unique and empowering. You find a group of women who you can relate to, learn from, and contribute to as well.
Suzanne, Fall 2021 Cohort
How It Works
4 Sessions
4 Sessions
2-Days Per Session
Completion
Completion
Verifiable Social Badge with Certificate of Completion
Program Duration
Program Duration
6 Months to Complete
Apply or Nominate
Apply or Nominate
Apply or Nominate a Rising Leader in Your Organization
Cohort Size
Cohort Size
Limited to 40 Participants
Model
Model
Instructor-led, In-Person
Advice From Our Participants
Make Connections
Make Connections
"I want all the female bosses I know to complete this program. The specific time to set aside for learning is so necessary for growth. I feel like I have a core group of connections I could reach out to in any moment personally or professionally for support, and that is the impactful value of this program!"
Push Yourself
Push Yourself
"This program really has helped me to think a lot about where I am and where I'm going in my career while giving me perspective I otherwise would never have gained. I'd recommend for any woman who wants to take the next step to push herself towards both self-discovery and professional potential."
Get Inspired
Get Inspired
"This is the first time I have ever been in a room of such accomplished, ambitious women. It's really inspiring - not just all the presenters (who have been fantastic), but also the cohort of women. The topics are really relevant to my work and this program has really made me sit down and think about what I really want to get out of life."
Want more information?
Who Should Apply
Women Who Mean Business is designed for high potential leaders who have a track record of success. The ideal candidate has 10 to 20 years of business experience.

Our Strongest Applicants Are:

Mid- and Senior-Level Managers
Mid- and Senior-Level Managers
Mid- and senior-level managers who aspire to positions of greater influence and authority in their organizations
High-Potential Talent
High-Potential Talent
Those identified as high-potential talent by their organizations
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs and business owners
10+ Years Leadership Experience
10+ Years Leadership Experience
Rising leaders with 10-20 years of business experience who currently lead teams or have direct reports.
Rising Leaders
Rising Leaders
Rising leaders that work for corporations, nonprofits, the military and government agencies
Successful
Successful
High potential leaders who have a track record of success.

“Do it and take it seriously. Think about what’s possible instead of what is. This program is 100% worth the time and investment.”

“WWMB was impactful in my career, specifically, how I engage and advocate for what I want. I really enjoyed getting to meet other female professionals to discuss wins and challenges.” 

“You will come out of this program inspired and ready to make an impact.”

Program Highlights
Explore how to use your power, strengthen your influence, and transform your leadership skills and career trajectory.

Overview

The Course is taught in-person at the University of Texas AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas, and participants will be expected to arrive in time for dinner Thursday evening and will depart after each session ends mid-Friday afternoon. Participants will be expected to stay on-site, with one overnight stay each session, and will have homework exercises to complete between sessions.

Harness Your Superpowers

Increase self-awareness and confidence, and instill personal accountability for your professional growth.

Topics

  • Self-Awareness and Personality Types
  • Building Your Personal Brand: What Makes You Unique and Authentic?
  • Team Dynamics – Diversity and Shoring up Blind Spots
  • Networking (Beyond the Cocktail Party; Currency and Coinage)
  • Cultivating Your Personal Board of Directors
  • Goal Setting (Again, and Again)

Create Value

Elevate your understanding of what it means to create value in a professional context.

Topics

  • Value Creation
  • Big Changes to Big Things
  • Adaptability and Innovation
  • Negotiation
  • Professional Risk Taking and Ambition
  • Decision Making
  • Power: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
  • Building Your Team: Courage and Compassion

Control Your Destiny

Build your personal development plan and a process for self-renewal.

Topics

  • Build Trust
  • Building a Kick Ass Culture
  • Mentors, Sponsors, and Circles
  • Know Thyself (Personal Values)
  • Personal Risk Taking
  • Having It All: Designing Your Life

Build Your Executive Presence

Probe the opportunity to build and leverage your executive presence in a modern context embracing diversity and inclusion.

Topics

  • Executive Presence
  • Understanding Bias
  • Walking away from F.U.D. (fear, uncertainty and doubt)
  • Grit and Perseverance
  • Opting In (-or- the Cost of Opting Out)
97% NET PROMOTER SCORE
Women Who Mean Business received a 97% NPS from past participants surveyed about their experience in the program.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Gay Gaddis
Gay Gaddis
Founder of T3, formerly the largest female-owned digital agency in U.S., best-selling author of Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business & Life, and celebrated artist. Gay Gaddis shares her grit, resilience, and perseverance through her entrepreneurial efforts empowering women worldwide.
Lynn Utter
Lynn Utter
Former CEO and a Fortune 500 board member Lynn Utter, offers a unique perspective on how to successfully create value and ascend to the c-suite as a female executive. Lynn is committed to helping rising women accelerate their careers by sharing her real-world corporate experiences and skills.
Learn and Recharge in Austin, TX
The program is held on the beautiful campus of the University of Texas at the AT&T Executive Education Center, located in the heart of downtown Austin.
Accommodations
Located on the edge of The University of Texas at Austin campus, the AT&T Hotel & Executive Education and Conference Center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers Texas Executive Education participants a comfortable and convenient location to learn and stay during their program.

Session Dates & Program Cost

Join forces with McCombs School of Business to prepare for a successful transition to senior leadership.

Program Dates

The program consists of four, two-day hands-on sessions conducted over a six-month timeframe.

Session Dates for Cohort 5:

Session 1: September 18-19

Session 2: November 21-22

Session 3: January 23-24

Session 4: April 3-4 (reunion on April 3rd)

Cost

The Women Who Mean Business Program costs $8,350.

Course Completion

CEU/CPE Credit

Participants earn 1.4 CEUs and/or 14 CPEs for this course. A certificate of completion will be presented from Texas Executive Education.

Certificate Course Credits

1.00

100% Participation Policy

One of the cornerstones of the Women Who Mean Business program is the network we build within each Cohort offering support throughout and beyond our time together. Every session includes time to reflect, discuss and build trust with a Circle of participants within your Cohort. When a participant is not present, their Circle and Cohort suffers. Therefore, to be respectful of your fellow participates, we require 100% participation in every session to graduate and receive a certificate. Session materials can be found on Canvas following each session, but sessions cannot be made up at a later date.

Reunion

All WWMB participants will be invited to register for a Reunion after program completion. This 1-day, immersive experience offers a chance to continue learning and reconnect with past WWMB graduates.

Learn more

Applications for the Next Cohort Coming Soon
Applications are not currently open, but please check back soon.

Employer Reimbursement

Courses offered by Texas Executive Education often qualify for employer reimbursement.

Sample Justification Email/Letter

Need help convincing your manager to approve the time and cost related to taking this course? Use this customizable template as a starting point to help demonstrate the value of the program for your organization.

Dear [Your Manager’s Name],

I would like your approval to attend Women Who Mean Business, an immersive program for rising leaders. The program consists of four, two-day hands-on sessions over a six-month timeframe (Sep 6-7, 2023; Nov 30-Dec 1, 2023; Jan 25-26, 2024; and Apr 4-5, 2024). Taught by two CEOs and University of Texas McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame winners, Gay Gaddis and Lynn Utter, the program brings entrepreneurial skills and corporate experiences together for a comprehensive leadership program for rapid career advancement. This program will offer me real-world experiences and the tools needed to dramatically improve the [Add your products/services] we deliver and how we work internally.

This class is in-person and interactive at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin. It will include lectures, small group exercises, key speakers, and networking events as well as a McCombs School of Business certificate of completion.

Topics will include:

● Value Creation
● Difficult Decisions
● Risk-Taking
● Adaptability and Innovation
● Negotiation
● Power Dynamics
● Team Building
● Understanding Bias and Intentional Inclusion
● Executive Presence
● Grit and Perseverance
● Self-awareness and Personal Development Planning

After each session, I will be able to share tangible takeaways and learnings with our whole team. Additionally, I will be able to use these sessions to focus on strategies to grow our business and/or contribute to the profitability of the company.

Additionally, Women Who Mean Business isn’t just for emerging corporate executives. The program is also designed for entrepreneurs to offer a cross-pollination of ideas while networking on future innovations. I’m excited to apply our principles of [Add your current corporate initiative]

The total cost to attend this six-month program is detailed below:

● Program Registration: $8,350
● Travel: [insert amount]
● Hotel: [insert amount]
● Meals: [insert estimate **Lunches & dinners during sessions included in Registration Fee]
 Total: [sum of above]

Learn more about the program [insert link].

Thanks for taking the time to review this request. I look forward to talking to you about it.
Regards,
[Your Name]

Curriculum

4 Sessions, One Goal: Rise with Confidence

Harness Your Superpowers

Objective: Increase self-awareness and confidence, and instill personal accountability for your professional growth.

Topics

  • Self-Awareness and Personality Types
  • Building Your Personal Brand: What Makes You Unique and Authentic?
  • Team Dynamics – Diversity and Shoring up Blind Spots
  • Networking (Beyond the Cocktail Party; Currency and Coinage)
  • Cultivating Your Personal Board of Directors
  • Goal Setting (Again, and Again)

Deliver the Goods

Objective: Elevate your understanding of what it means to create value in a professional context.

Topics

  • Value Creation
  • Big Changes to Big Things
  • Adaptability and Innovation
  • Negotiation
  • Professional Risk Taking and Ambition
  • Decision Making
  • Power: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
  • Building Your Team: Courage and Compassion

Build Your Executive Presence

Objective: Probe the opportunity to build and leverage your executive presence in a modern context embracing diversity and inclusion.

Topics

  • Executive Presence
  • Understanding Bias
  • Walking away from F.U.D. (fear, uncertainty and doubt)
  • Grit and Perseverance
  • Opting In (or the Cost of Opting Out)

Channel Your Ambition

Objective: Build your personal development plan and a process for self-renewal.

Topics

  • Build Trust
  • Building a Kick-Ass Culture
  • Mentors, Sponsors, and Circles
  • Know Thyself (Personal Values)
  • Personal Risk-Taking
  • Having It All: Designing Your Life

Sample Session Schedule

View a sample of the session schedules and see what is covered during the program. The schedule is subject to change.

Schedule is subject to change.

Session 1

Day 1

5:30 pm: Registration

6:00 pm: Networking Social Hour

7:00 pm: Dinner with Keynote Speaker

9:00 pm: Cohort Check-Ins

Day 2

8:30 am: Breakfast

9:00 am: Classroom discussions on a specific topic:

  • Frameworks, Experiences, and Discussions
  • Small Group Exercises
  • Breakout Sessions

Lunch: Speed Networking with McCombs Hall of Fame Recipients

2:00 pm: “Off the Record” | Closed-Door Conversations with Notable Keynote Speaker

3:00 pm: Departure

Session 2

Day 1

5:30 pm: Registration

6:00 pm: Networking Social Hour

7:00 pm: Dinner with Keynote Speaker

9:00 pm: Cohort Check-Ins

Day 2

8:30 am: Breakfast

9:00 am: Classroom discussions on a specific topic:

  • Frameworks, Experiences, and Discussions
  • Small Group Exercises
  • Breakout Sessions

Lunch: Speed Networking with McCombs Hall of Fame Recipients

2:00 pm: “Off the Record” | Closed-Door Conversations with Notable Keynote Speaker

3:00 pm: Departure

Session 3

Day 1

5:30 pm: Registration

6:00 pm: Networking Social Hour

7:00 pm: Dinner with Keynote Speaker

9:00 pm: Cohort Check-Ins

Day 2

8:30 am: Breakfast

9:00 am: Classroom discussions on a specific topic:

  • Frameworks, Experiences, and Discussions
  • Small Group Exercises
  • Breakout Sessions

Lunch: Speed Networking with McCombs Hall of Fame Recipients

2:00 pm: “Off the Record” | Closed-Door Conversations with Notable Keynote Speaker

3:00 pm: Departure

Session 4

Day 1

5:30 pm: Registration

6:00 pm: Networking Social Hour

7:00 pm: Dinner with Keynote Speaker

9:00 pm: Cohort Check-Ins

Day 2

8:30 am: Breakfast

9:00 am: Classroom discussions on a specific topic:

  • Frameworks, Experiences, and Discussions
  • Small Group Exercises
  • Breakout Sessions

Lunch: Speed Networking with McCombs Hall of Fame Recipients
2:00 pm: “Off the Record” | Closed-Door Conversations with Notable Keynote Speaker

3:00 pm: Departure

CEU/CPE Credits

Participants earn 1.4 CEUs and/or 14 CPEs for this course. A certificate of completion will be presented from Texas Executive Education.

Download Reimbursement Kit

3 Ways to Grow Leadership Skills

Hear key insights from Women Who Mean Business instructors in this short video.

Earn a Badge
We offer digital badges upon completion of the Women Who Mean Business program. Once you complete this program, you'll earn a digital badge you can showcase on your LinkedIn profile to verify your skills and achievement.

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