Rising Star Equity Leadership Program
The YWCA Rising Star Equity Leadership Program empowers and equips high-performing women to become equity leaders. This unique development experience strengthens leadership skills and prepares participants for non-profit board service while connecting them to a powerful network of accomplished women leaders.
Sessions are facilitated by local and national experts and cover a wide variety of topics from building executive skills to balancing career, board, and home life. In the spirit of the YWCA’s pioneering history of leading racial justice initiatives, the program presents very direct and specific training on eliminating discrimination and promoting racial and gender equity.
The program consists of monthly full-day sessions taking place annually January-June. Graduates receive a “Board and Equity Leader” certification and join a diverse network with access to exclusive networking and educational opportunities.
Rising Star Criteria:
High-achieving professional woman with proven leadership qualities and recognized potential to attain achievement in their career
Between 25-40 years old at the time of the program’s start
Demonstrates community involvement and/or commitment to social equity
How to Nominate/Apply
The deadline to turn in nominations and applications for the 2024 Rising Star Equity Leadership Program is September 3, 2024. Details including the session dates, program requirements, and tuition fee are included on the application. Each candidate must receive a nomination and complete the application by the deadline.
Nominators must complete and return the Nomination Form
Candidates must complete and return the Application Form
YWCA Board Registry
Graduates of the Rising Star Equity Leadership Program are certified by the YWCA as ready-to-serve on non-profit boards and are added to the YWCA’s Board Registry. Area organizations are able to share their board openings with our alumnae by contacting Kristi Rohrkasse at (513) 361-2168 or krohrkasse@ywcacin.org.
Legacy
Since 2002, the YWCA has been recognizing outstanding young professional women leaders as Rising Stars in our community. The Rising Star Equity Leadership Program was started in 2007 to further empower our future and present female leaders. We are grateful to the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee for funding support of the YWCA Rising Star Equity Leadership Program. We are also indebted to Kathy Beechem for her inspirational and dedicated leadership.
For more information or questions regarding the Rising Star Equity Leadership Program, contact Rising Star Manager Kristi Rohrkasse at krohrkasse@ywcacin.org or 513-361-2168.