Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator

About the CWLA

The Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and targeted leadership development program designed to close the gender leadership gap by empowering and equipping career driven women with essential skills for leading in today’s complex business landscape. The CWLA provides a focused, high quality, interactive, and intimate (limited to 50 participants) professional development experience focused on building emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership skills- valuable leadership competencies that directly enhance team performance, organizational culture, and improve employee retention. Participants gain tools they can immediately apply to strengthen their leadership effectiveness, elevate team performance, and contribute more strategically within their organizations. Participants earn a 5-hour Leadership Development Certificate of Completion upon completion of the program.

Designed for ambitious women who want to maximize their leadership impact, the CWLA provides practical and actionable leadership development, a powerful panel discussion featuring recognized business leaders, professional headshots, catered meals, and a networking happy hour. Bringing together women across generations, industries, races, and backgrounds, the CWLA creates a dynamic environment where participants can expand their networks, learn from one another's experiences, and grow alongside a diverse community of accomplished women leaders.

The CWLA is designed for women who currently lead others, influence teams and initiatives, or are preparing to step into leadership roles. More than 400 career-driven women have strengthened their leadership competencies through the CWLA.To learn more about the the history and mission of the CWLA, please read this short feature.

For a behind the scenes look at the CWLA, tune into CWLA"s inaugural podcast episode where CWLA co-founders Cindu Thomas-George and Alicia Del Real discuss:

✨ The origin story of the CWLA

✨ The CWLA WHY

✨ What makes the CWLA experience unique

✨ What’s ahead for this growing community

The CWLA WHY

Despite extensive efforts to dissolve gender disparities in leadership roles, women still encounter formidable obstacles in attaining such positions. Despite comprising over half of the U.S. population and almost 50% of its workforce, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles, particularly women of color. Recent research has shown that there is a declining commitment to women's career advancement. In fact the most recent Women in the Workplace study found that only 50% of companies reported that women's career advancement is a high priority (down from roughly 70% in recent years).

Unfortunately, the gender leadership gap continues to widen, despite widespread initiatives for parity. The CWLA was created in response to the need to reduce disparities women face in the workplace, increase the representation of women in leadership, and equip women with the knowledge and tools to become effective, emotionally intelligent, and inclusive leaders.

Special thanks to Lincoln International for hosting the October 2026 CWLA!

Click HERE to visit CWLA"s website to learn more and follow our LinkedIn page for updates!

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