Women's Executive Leadership Institute

• About the Institute
• Benefits
• Sessions
• Speakers
• Application and Tuition
• Contact Us

About the Women’s Executive Leadership Institute

The Institute is designed to support a cohort of leaders who aspire to reach senior leadership positions within their organizations or lead their own companies. The cohort will meet once a month for ten months and will help develop essential skills required for senior-level leadership that will range from financial acumen and strategy to executive presence and communication skills. Focusing upon a growth mindset, it will cover a wide range of topics that include the future of work, artificial intelligence, leadership in a changing world, negotiation and emotional intelligence, among others.

Programming for the second cohort will conclude in November 2026. Programming for the third cohort will begin in February 2027. Each session of the Institute will include a lecture or a panel discussion and interactive facilitation.

The University of Indianapolis will begin accepting applications for the next cohort in fall 2026. All leaders, regardless of gender, who wish to better understand women’s leadership challenges, or who are responsible for the career development of others, are encouraged to apply. Please contact womensleadership@uindy.edu for more information.

Benefits of Participation

• Sessions will feature keynote conversations and networking with senior leaders across Central Indiana and beyond.
• University President Dr. Tanuja Singh will be personally involved with the cohort.
• Sessions will focus on developing critical skill sets, including leadership in a changing world, emotional intelligence, negotiation, executive communication, basics of emerging technologies and AI, finance, analytics, strategy, and having a growth mindset.
• Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Sease Institute, powered by the University of Indianapolis.
• Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate in small groups with other participants. 
• Participants will have access to mentors through the University of Indianapolis's robust alumni and community network.

Session Dates and Themes

All monthly sessions will be held at the University of Indianapolis (1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227) in the Blue Law Library of the Krannert Memorial Library from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

• Feb 27: Introduction to WELI
  • Keynote Speaker: Chief Justice Rush, Indiana Supreme Court Justice
• March 27: A Wealth of Resources
  • Keynote Speaker: Elaine Bedel, CEO and Founder, Bedel Financial | The Life of a Financial Trailblazer
• April 24: Multiple Paths to Arrive as the Leader You Are Today
  • Keynote Speaker: Vanessa Green Sinders, President and CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
• May 29: Redefining Success
  • Keynote Speaker: Mel Raines, CEO, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
• June 26: Skills You Can Count On
  • Keynote Speaker: Ann Murtlow, President & CEO, North Sound LLC
  • Keynote Speaker: Lucia Mar, Managing Director, Global Banking, Bank of America
• July 24: You Belong Here
  • Keynote Speaker: Jasmin French, Senior Director, Global Right Environment, Cummins
  • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO, Eskenazi Health
• August 28: Essential Ingredients for Success
  • Keynote Speaker: Clarie Fiddian-Green, President & CEO, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Inc.
  • Keynote Speaker: Melina Kennedy, CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnerships (CICP)
• September 25: Adapting to a Changing World
  • Keynote Speaker: Kaye Vitug, Co-Founder and CEO, Unlocking Eve Foundation
• October 23: Fighting Imposter Syndrome
  • Keynote Speaker: Deborah Daniels, Chair, UIndy Board of Trustees and Former Partner, Kreig DeVault LLC
• Nov 20: It's Your Turn
  • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tanuja Singh, President, UIndy 

Application and Tuition

Applications for the next cohort will open in fall 2026, with the primary deadline ending January 31, 2027, based on availability. All leaders, regardless of gender, who wish to better understand women’s leadership challenges, or who are responsible for the career development of others, are encouraged to apply. Applications will be submitted online and should include:

• Bio Demo Information
• Resume
• Reference Letter
• Signed Commitment Form

Tuition for the Institute is $5,000. The fee includes all materials, sessions, and meals. Payment(s) can be made by the participant or by an employer/sponsor organization. Applications will open soon.

Questions

Please contact the WELI team at womensleadership@uindy.edu.