Top 9 Programs for Women Leadership Development in 2025

Over the past decade, women have shown unwavering ambition and resilience in the workplace steadily rising through the ranks, challenging norms, and reshaping leadership in meaningful ways. There’s no doubt that progress has been made: more women are stepping into leadership roles, and corporate pipelines look more diverse than they did ten years ago.

Even with these strides, the road to the top remains uneven. According to a McKinsey article, while women now hold over 45% of entry-level roles, their presence sharply declines at each higher rung of leadership. Only 40% move into managerial positions, 36% become senior managers or directors, and the numbers drop even further at executive levels just 30% at VP, 27% at SVP, and 28% in the C-suite.

One underlying factor is the imbalance between line roles and staff roles. While women’s representation in staff functions has increased by 20%, their presence in line roles the roles that typically lead to the C-suite has dropped from 11% in 2023 to just 10% in 2024. This limits exposure to decision-making opportunities and slows down leadership growth.

So, where do we go from here? While organizations must continue driving systemic change, women leaders also have the opportunity to take ownership of their growth by actively building the mindset, skillset, and support systems needed to move forward with confidence.

“I’ve spoken to hundreds of women in search of an answer to the question: Why do we have too few women leaders? And what I’ve found is this women need three things to move up the leadership ladder: more confidence, the ability to ask, and access to more mentors. ”

Laurie McGraw

Chief Commercial Officer at Transcarent

That’s where leadership development programs come in. More than just training, these programs offer a space for transformation helping women sharpen their strategic thinking, strengthen their influence, and connect with a network of ambitious peers.

Whether you're stepping into a leadership role or preparing for the next big move, choosing the right program can make all the difference.

Top 9 Women’s Leadership Development Programs in 2025

We’ve curated a list of the top 9 women’s leadership development programs to attend in 2025 each one designed to help you rise, lead boldly, and shape the future of leadership.

Let's get into it:

1. Women in Leadership: Online Program for Emerging Leaders

Provider:

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

Mode:

Online

‍

Women in Leadership: Online Program for Emerging Leaders is a live, interactive program by the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, designed to support women as they transition into management roles. Through hands-on exercises and engaging group discussions, participants develop their leadership style, enhance communication, and build confidence in negotiation and relationship-building.

The program is offered in two sessions: one in July, held over five consecutive Wednesdays, and another in October, held over five consecutive Thursdays. It is ideal for women with 3–7 years of experience who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

2. Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme

Provider:

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Mode:

Online

‍

Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme is a six-week online course offered by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. It’s designed to help women build confidence in their leadership style and prepare for senior management or C-suite roles

The program focuses on self-acceptance, self-management, and self-development guiding participants through the unique challenges women face in leadership. Through practical learning, you'll strengthen your ability to lead, negotiate, influence, and mentor others, while also exploring how to navigate cultural dynamics in the workplace.

This program is ideal for women looking to grow their impact, break through the glass ceiling, and lead with authenticity and purpose.

3. Women’s Executive Leadership: Business Strategies for Success

Provider:

Wharton Executive Education

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

‍

Women’s Executive Leadership: Business Strategies for Success is an immersive executive program by Wharton designed to help women and their allies lead with greater clarity, confidence, and strategic impact. As women advance into senior roles, they often encounter complex challenges from navigating office dynamics to strengthening executive presence. This program addresses those realities head-on, combining research-backed insights with practical strategies for leadership success.

The program explores key topics, including executive presence, negotiation, team dynamics, organizational politics, innovation, and strategic decision-making. Participants also gain insight into their personal leadership style and career strengths while building the business acumen needed to thrive at higher levels of leadership.

Ideal for women executives with 10+ years of experience, as well as rising leaders and entrepreneurs transitioning into senior roles, the program blends case-based learning with interactive sessions and peer networking. Participants leave with practical tools, a clear plan for career advancement, and a strong leadership network to support their ongoing growth.

4. Executive Women in Leadership

Provider:

3 Months 3-5 Hours Per Week

Mode:

All Online

‍

Executive Women in Leadership by eCornell is a certificate program designed to help mid- to senior-level women professionals overcome gender-based barriers and advance into top leadership roles. The course addresses the realities of power dynamics, unconscious bias, and organizational structures that often make it more challenging for women to rise to executive and board-level positions even when equally qualified.

Through a curated series of courses, participants learn to navigate these challenges with intention and strategy. Topics include developing executive presence, mastering gender-informed negotiation techniques, building powerful networks, and understanding the competencies and pathways required for boardroom roles. The program also encourages participants to critically examine gender dynamics within their organizations and apply strategies to shift them.

As part of the learning experience, participants gain one year of access to Cornell’s Leadership Symposium, a series of live, interactive Zoom sessions with faculty and experts that explore timely leadership topics. This certificate is open to professionals of all gender identities, though its core focus is to support the growth and advancement of women leaders.

5. Women's Leadership Programme

Provider:

ISB Executive Education

Mode:

On-Campus and Live Virtual

‍

Women’s Leadership Programme by ISB Executive Education is a four-month blended learning experience, scheduled from May 17 to September 20, 2025. It is designed for mid to senior-level women professionals who are ready to take on higher-impact leadership roles. The program addresses real-world challenges women face in their careers and equips them with the skills to lead with confidence, navigate complexity, and drive meaningful change.

Through a combination of live virtual sessions, group coaching, and real-world case discussions, participants will explore workplace dynamics, strengthen their executive presence, and create a personalized leadership roadmap. Guided by experienced faculty and industry experts, they will develop strategic thinking, enhance negotiation skills, and embrace a growth mindset to lead with purpose and clarity.

6. Tanmatra – Women In Leadership

Provider:

IIM Bangalore

Location:

IIMB Campus

‍

Tanmatra – Women in Leadership is a flagship leadership program by IIM Bangalore, designed for senior women professionals with 15+ years of experience. The program was created to address the unique challenges faced by women leaders in the Indian corporate landscape. It aims to help participants unlock their leadership potential and step into roles of greater influence and impact.

The program blends academic research with real-world insights to offer a holistic learning experience. It follows a three-module structure: Personal Leadership, Functional Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. Each module is designed to build on the previous one, guiding participants through self-reflection, business acumen, and future-focused strategy.

In the Personal Leadership module, participants reflect on their strengths, define their leadership identity, and explore the unique value they bring as women leaders. The Functional Leadership module builds cross-functional skills in areas like finance, operations, marketing, and HR enabling a more integrated view of management. The final Strategic Leadership module focuses on long-term thinking, covering topics like corporate governance, ethics, negotiation, and future-ready competencies.

7. Women Leaders Programme

Provider:

INSEAD Executive Education

Location:

Fontainebleau

‍

Women Leaders Programme by INSEAD is designed for senior women executives who are ready to increase their influence, strengthen their leadership presence, and step confidently into top leadership roles. Tailored for women with at least 15 years of professional experience and significant people management exposure, the program brings together a select group of global leaders in a focused, high-impact learning environment.

The curriculum addresses both core leadership challenges and the unique barriers women face in the workplace such as unconscious bias, a lack of role models, and a shrinking peer group at senior levels. Participants dive into topics like strategic communication, executive presence, building strong networks, and overcoming hidden obstacles to advancement, with an emphasis on personal reflection and shared experience.

The program is delivered over three immersive four-day sessions. Each session blends expert-led learning, peer interaction, and personalized coaching to support lasting development. Participants also receive post-programme follow-up to help apply their learning with clarity and confidence.

8. Women in Leadership

Provider:

Edstellar

Mode:

Virtual / On-site / Off-site

‍

Women in Leadership by Edstellar is a practical and customizable training program designed to help women develop the skills and confidence needed to lead effectively. It supports professionals across all levels whether you're a senior executive, team leader, project manager, or HR professional by focusing on real-world challenges and leadership growth.

The program covers a wide range of topics, including self-awareness, communication, personal branding, executive presence, networking, and advocacy. Participants also explore the history of women in the workplace, the barriers they often face, and strategies to overcome them while staying true to their leadership values and style.

What makes this program unique is its bespoke format available in both virtual and onsite delivery. The content can be tailored to suit organizational goals, providing hands-on learning through case studies, interactive sessions, and guided exercises.

9. Leadership Development for Women

Provider:

American Management Association

Mode:

Online/In-Person

‍

Leadership Development for Women by the American Management Association is a hands-on training program designed to help women take a more strategic approach to leadership in today’s work environments. The program equips participants with the tools to use their strengths effectively, build resilience, and take smart career risks to advance with confidence.

Throughout the course, women professionals explore how to navigate challenges such as workplace stereotypes, emotional triggers, and competitive dynamics. The program focuses on developing a “collaborative competition” mindset where participants learn how to assert themselves, expand their strategic networks, and lead with authenticity, even in high-pressure environments.

Key themes include smart risk-taking, building organizational savvy, managing hypercompetitive colleagues, and forming supportive relationships with “pacing partners.” Participants also learn to reframe competition, handle difficult workplace dynamics, and promote their leadership brand in a way that earns respect and visibility.

Ideal for women looking to step out of their comfort zones and build greater influence, this program provides a practical and empowering path to career growth and leadership success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

As the path to leadership continues to evolve, women across the globe are stepping up, breaking barriers, and rewriting the rules of what leadership looks like. But closing the gap at the top doesn’t happen by chance it takes intentional growth, access to the right opportunities, and support from organizations that are committed to change.

At Edstellar, we’ve worked with companies across industries to upskill their leaders and drive real transformation through structured, inclusive learning. As a trusted corporate training provider, we prioritize diversity, inclusion, and gender equality, delivering programs that empower women professionals to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

To help organizations take this a step further, Edstellar offers a powerful tool the Skill Matrix to track, map, and manage the development of leadership skills across teams. It helps identify critical skill gaps, align training with organizational goals, and ensure your leadership pipeline is future-ready and equitable.

If you’re a woman ready to rise or an organization ready to invest in your top talent the time to act is now. Explore these top leadership programs, choose the one that speaks to your ambition, and take your place at the table with confidence.