Providing Equitable, Intentional, Evidence-Based Leadership Development for Girls as Part of the Academic School Day
THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR GIRLS
Providing Equitable, Intentional and Evidence-Based Leadership Development for Girls as Part of the Academic School Day
ABOUT
The Leadership Program for Girls is committed to providing equitable, intentional and evidence-based leadership development as part of the academic school day that closes the confidence and leadership gap for girls.
We are dedicated to creating a new paradigm of education for girls by leveraging leadership learning as a core part of the school day.
Harvard Venture Program and Harvard Innovation Labs awarded The Leadership Program for Girls in recognition of “bold thinking" that "shifts the paradigm," providing “solutions for our most pressing problems,” and "ideas that are not just new, but revelatory.”
WHAT WE DO
The Leadership Program for Girls is an Award-Winning Program that Equitably and Intentionally Integrates Evidence-Based Leadership Development into the School Day.
NATIONAL GIRLS' LEADERSHIP SCHOOL ONBOARDING
THE LEADERSHIP COURSE
EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM
THE LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE
EXPERIENCE
FACULTY AND STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
IMPACT
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Analysis of qualitative and quantitative pilot data showed program students experience statistically significant increases in longitudinal growth mindset, increases in leader identity, confidence, and self-awareness. Students in the program also report substantial increases in leadership competencies, including communication and public speaking skills, self-regulation, teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking.
SCHOOL OUTCOMES
Our data reveals that adding intentional leadership development courses and capstone activities correlates with increased academic outcomes for students, especially underserved students. Furthermore, program evidence strongly supports an increase in feelings of a school culture of belonging. Providing equitable in-school access to this program allows all students the opportunity to access this skill-building knowledge. In offering this dynamic curriculum, the trajectory of girls' lives is forever changed.
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES
The Leadership Program for Girls connects students with the needs of the community. Our program courses and capstone help students to identify and learn about the concerns that they care most about. Furthermore, students work together to make a difference locally, nationally, and even globally. In recognition of increased community involvement, schools reported increased levels of grant approval and increased donor support.
Data collected from pilot schools that integrated full program model.
ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES
90.7%
Students
93.2% of program students said they would recommend that other girls' schools implement The Leadership Program for Girls.
90%
Parents
Over 90% of parents said The Leadership Program was a decisive factor in why they chose to enroll their daughters in selected pilot program schools.
100%
Increased Donor Funding
All participating schools received increased donor funding in support of school leadership efforts and The Leadership Program for Girls.
Data collected from pilot schools that integrated the full program model.
OUR FOUNDERS
LISA CENCA, CO-FOUNDER
Harvard Graduate School of Education Leader, Girls Education Trailblazer, School Founder & Educational Consultant, Awarded Harvard University's Phyllis Strimling Award for the Advancement of Women
As a girls’ school founder and educator for over 20 years, Lisa is recognized as a girls’ education trailblazer. She is the recipient of Harvard’s prestigious Phyllis Strimling Award for the Advancement of Women. Lisa was also selected by Harvard’s Venture Program, a prestigious recognition for “visionaries whose bold thinking shifts the paradigm and ideas that are not just new, but revelatory.” After her selection as a founding principal, Lisa spent a year researching best practices at the nation’s leading girls’ schools. She soon began creating the Leadership Model School Framework, a powerful new approach integrating leadership and core values at the center of school life. Lisa has a Masters from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where she is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and School Development. She was recently nominated for Harvard’s Intellectual Contribution Award and was also awarded the Women Making a Difference Award by Zonta International.
JULIE CARRIER, CO-FOUNDER
Recognized as the #1 Coach for Young Women in the World by Leading Global Coaches/Thinkers50, Former Senior Management Consultant in Leadership Development for the Pentagon, CEO, Girls Lead Worldwide
Julie Carrier, CEO of Girls Lead Worldwide, is an award-winning author, speaker, and trusted authority on leadership development for girls. Prior to bringing evidence-based leadership development to high school students, Julie served as a Senior Management Consultant in leadership development for the Pentagon where she developed cutting-edge neuroscience-based leadership programs for senior executives. She is a Fellow at the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School and is on the Advisory Board for the United Nations Foundation’s global leadership development program for girls, Girl Up where she is helping to scale evidence-based leadership development for girls, globally. She was recently awarded the “Woman of the Decade for Girl Empowerment” by the Women Economic Forum. She is also a bestselling author for girls and speaker who has reached millions of girls worldwide.
WORLD-CLASS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL
DR. CAROL KAUFFMAN
Founder, Institute of Coaching at Harvard
Professor, Harvard Medical School
#1 Executive Coach in the World
FRANCES HESSELBEIN
Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner
Founder, Global Academy for Student Leadership
Editor-in-Chief, Leader to Leader Journal
Former CEO of the Girl Scouts
DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
#1 Leadership Thinker in the World
Bestselling Author and Editor of 35 Leadership Books
Professor, Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business
PROFESSOR SANYIN SIANG
Founding Executive Director, Duke Fuqua Center On Ethics and Leadership,
Professor, Duke University
Thinkers50 Global Mentoring & Coaching Award
DR. DIANE RYAN, COLONEL (RET.)
Former Deputy Head of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at The U.S. Military Military Academy at West Point
Associate Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University
BONITA THOMPSON
Top 5 Global Gurus in Education
Bestselling Author & Expert in Collaborative Leadership
Research Director for the World’s Success Survey at Wharton
PROFESSOR HARRY KRAEMER
Clinical Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management; 2008 Kellogg School Professor of the Year; Author, From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership
THE MARSHALL GOLDSMITH 100 COACHES
The Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches is a consortium of the world’s leading executive coaches and leadership thought leaders who dedicate their collective talents to effect meaningful and positive change. Thank you to Marshall Goldsmith and the members of the 100 Coaches for their generous support and thought leadership that helps make this paradigm-changing program for education possible.
An extraordinary team of leaders, PhDs, researchers, and thought-leaders have teamed together to help develop, support and advise the program's evidence-based curriculum, The Leadership Course, that equips girls with the leadership skills to succeed in the classroom, and most importantly in life. These foremost thought leaders and members of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 help to make this world-class leadership development program for high school girls possible.
WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING
I would not allow my name to be associated with a program that did not reach a level of excellence that we would expect here at Harvard. The exercises in the program are strongly supported by the fields of positive and social psychology, with significant rigor. The leadership principles are drawn from the work I and others have done at Harvard Business School.
Dr. Carol Kauffman, Harvard Medical School
Founder, The Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School, Named #1 Executive Coach in the World
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
“The Leadership Course is not only helping me now, but it’s also going to help me more than any other class for college. I truly believe that leadership is changing the way I think and giving me the necessary mindset and skills to succeed in college and the real world.”
Kaleigh, Student
The most meaningful exercises for me was the Leadership Capstone. It tied in methods of presentation to understanding yourself and what you are passionate about. This was extremely meaningful, as it helped me realize how grateful I am for all that I have and how I can use my gifts in life to work towards causes that benefit those in need.
Karina, Student
Before I started The Leadership Course, I didn’t see myself as a leader, not even close. Now, I not only see myself as a leader, I know that I am a leader and that my voice matters. During the leadership classes, I learn more about myself, what is important to me and that I can make a difference in the world. My confidence has grown so much!”
-Christina, Student
This has been the most impactful class I have ever taken. This class has taught me many things that I will be able to use long after high school and I'm incredibly grateful for that. In leadership this year I learned that anything is possible. With the help of your team you can truly accomplish anything. As long as you have courage and the right character, anything is possible.
Sarah, Student
I was able to become open minded and learn that my voice can change the world. I thought someone like me could never change the world but I realized my true potential. My character changed from being shy and quiet to bold and determined. I noticed that I should not fear opportunities but go to them. My courage was strengthened.
Stacy, Student
Leadership has helped me with my "public speaking skills," I feel more confident than I did before. I am also motivated to work harder in school. When school work gets hard for me...leadership has taught me no matter what the challenge is you can get through it. It has really impacted my life in a positive way. I would not be the person I am today without our leadership course.
Marielle, Student
The most meaningful exercise that I did this year was the Leadership Capstone where I made beds for children’s families who could not afford it. It felt like I was making a difference and it put a smile on my face. I feel like by making a video and sharing my ideas with others it allowed me to know that I am spreading the word and making people realize that the little things can make a difference.
Christine, Student
This year I have grown tremendously using what I have learned in Leadership in my my day to day life. My character over the past year has become much stronger and confident. Seeing the effort that some women were making to change the world really opened my eyes and it showed me that I have a bigger purpose in life. I used to be nervous...this year I have grown a lot of courage and confidence.
Kylie, Student
Never have I imagined myself to be a leader, I have always thought of myself as a follower with strong opinions, no more that that. This class has successfully taught me that anyone can be a leader and that you don't always have to know what to do next to be a leader. I now know you can use collaboration, courage, character, contribution and competencies, these five C's will get you where you need to go.
Jessica, 16
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
"Before entering the leadership program, my daughter was shy, apprehensive and a bit unsure of herself and self-conscious. Because of the program, I have seen her become a confident young woman who views herself as a leader and is excelling. She speaks publicly with ease and stands up for what she believes in and she is only 16! This program has been such a transformational experience in her life!”
Nicole A., Mom of a Daughter in The Leadership Program for Girls
NATIONAL GIRLS' LEADERSHIP SCHOOL SELECTION
NATIONAL GIRLS' LEADERSHIP SCHOOL SELECTION CRITERIA
The Leadership Program for Girls is not just a program, it is a collaboration with aligned schools that can have far-reaching positive impacts for the students, faculty, families and the school community. The Leadership Program for Girls is only for select schools who already meet rigorous rigorous standards in scholarship, service, character formation, and leadership and have an authentic and sincere commitment to character-based leadership development.
Schools that meet the criteria are awarded a National Girls' Leadership School Designation and receive access to the program as well as our world-class team of experts, support and resources that further enhance their student experience in growing as confident and self-directed leaders, collaborative team members, practical and innovative problem solvers, and effective communicators who are globally aware faithful citizens.
We have a detailed selection process and only work with high-integrity, high-impact schools. School selection criteria incorporates the First Principles Evidence-Based Criteria for Effective Student Leader Development.
THE FIRST PRINCIPLES FRAMEWORK FOR EFFECTIVE STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The Leadership Program for Girls is based on the “First Principles” Evidence-Based Framework that Establishes That for Effective Student Leader Development:
Leader development should be considered a core function of the educational institution (an integrated part of the educational experience)
Leader development initiatives should use professional leader developers and trained or certified coaches
Leader development initiatives should use evidence-based approaches
Rigorous measurement of desired outcomes (not just participation numbers) should be an ongoing part of the program
Source: Brown, R.P. (2019) Holding Higher Education to Account: Measuring What Matters in the Development of Students as Leaders, The Journal of Character & Leadership Development; Summer, 2019; Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University
Currently, there is a waitlist for participation this program. Please click on the link below to request a spot on the waitlist and an application.
NATIONAL GIRLS' LEADERSHIP SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
St. Ursula Academy, Toledo, Ohio
After a national search, St. Ursula Academy was selected from a competitive list of girls' schools to offer The Leadership Program for Girls. Because it met the rigorous program criteria for intentional leader development, it has also earned the prestigious honor and designation as the first National Girls' Leadership School.
Mary Werner, '74
President, St. Ursula Academy
Toledo, Ohio
"This distinction recognizes our commitment to intentional leadership development and rigorous scholarship standards for every young woman. We are so honored to have been selected."
“This programming is unlike anything else in the country. We are preparing our students to meet the needs of a changing world. It is incredibly inspiring for our girls and our community.”
Nichole Flores '89
Principal, St. Ursula Academy
Toledo, Ohio
REQUEST AN APPLICATION
There is a currently a waitlist for The Leadership Program for Girls. The selection process is ongoing. Priority is given to schools who demonstrate exceptional and intentional commitment to leader development. If you would like more information, or would like to request an application for a school and reserve a spot on the waitlist, please complete the information below.