Junior League of Baton Rouge and LSU Leadership Development Institute Launch Women’s Leadership Academy to Advance Executive Women Across Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Junior League of Baton Rouge (JLBR), in partnership with the LSU Leadership Development Institute (LDI), is proud to announce the launch of the Women’s Leadership Academy, a six-month, cohort-based leadership development program designed for senior and executive-level women across Louisiana. The inaugural cohort will launch in August 2026.

This first-of-its-kind program in Baton Rouge brings together the Junior League’s nearly century-long commitment to developing women leaders and LSU LDI’s research-informed leadership expertise to create a rigorous, community-centered leadership experience for women leading across Louisiana’s most critical sectors. Together, the organizations have established a new standard for women’s leadership development in the region.

“The Junior League of Baton Rouge was the first organization in the city to place women on boards. Since 1932, it has been recognized as the premier source of leadership development for women in our community,” Jessica Sharon, president of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, said. “It is only fitting that we partner with the LSU Leadership Development Institute to deliver transformational leadership training specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of executive women in today’s workforce.”

Designed for experienced leaders across corporate, nonprofit, government, education and healthcare sectors, the academy offers an in-person, cohort-based experience limited to 40 participants. Over six months, participants will engage in six full-day sessions that combine expert facilitation, peer learning, applied leadership exercises and structured reflection to strengthen leadership effectiveness in complex organizational environments.

Program Curriculum: Six Leadership Themes

• Foundations of Women in Leadership – Explore current trends, clarify leadership identity, set cohort agreements, and begin building peer connections.
• Leading Self – Strengthen emotional intelligence, self-awareness, resilience, and sustainable, values-aligned leadership practices.
• Leading Others – Understand relational leadership, team dynamics, and strategies for building trust and influence within groups.
• Leading Together – Learn how to foster collaboration among women, navigate internalized competition, and engage in courageous, productive dialogue.
• Leading in Context – Address organizational culture, power dynamics, gender norms, sponsorship, and strategies to lead with confidence and influence.
• Leading Impact – Integrate learning into a personal leadership vision, apply human-centered leadership principles, and develop a plan for sustained impact.

Participants complete the academy with enhanced leadership skills, a cross-sector professional network and formal recognition of their graduate-level development. Sessions are guided by expert facilitators and include guest speakers with extensive leadership experience, while the program fosters collaboration and peer connection throughout.

“This academy is not just about acquiring new skills; it’s about redefining what leadership looks like for women,” Lacy Dicharry, director of the Leadership Development Institute, said. “At the LSU Leadership Development Institute, we see this academy as a powerful vehicle for workforce development, empowering exceptional women to lead and strengthen the talent pipeline across the sectors most critical to Louisiana’s future. With a focus on authenticity, empowerment and practical strategies, this program is a transformative journey that prepares women to lead with confidence, overcome systemic challenges and make a lasting impact. Because when Louisiana wins, our nation wins—and at LSU, we build teams that win in Louisiana for the world.”

Applications for the inaugural cohort opened March 16, 2026, with a priority deadline of April 15 and a final deadline of May 15, 2026. Participants will be selected through a competitive process designed to build a diverse, high-caliber cohort of leaders across industries. The program will begin August 21, 2026, and conclude with a graduation ceremony on January 29, 2027.

The Women’s Leadership Academy represents a strategic investment in the future of Louisiana, strengthening the pipeline of executive women leaders who are equipped to navigate complexity, drive organizational success, and lead with purpose and influence.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.juniorleaguebr.org/fundraisers/womensleadershipacademy/.

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About Junior League of Baton Rouge
The Junior League of Baton Rouge is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. For more information, visit https://www.juniorleaguebr.org/.

About LSU Leadership Development Institute
The LSU Leadership Development Institute (LDI) connects leadership expertise to practitioners across every field. As part of LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education, LDI serves as Louisiana’s academic hub for leadership development and education. Through strong partnerships with LSU academic units and departments, LDI delivers sustainable, research-driven solutions grounded in evidence-based practices, empowering leaders to drive meaningful change and innovation. If you see the LSU Leadership Development Institute as the solution to your challenges, visit www.lsu.edu/ldi.