Now in it’s second year, the Women’s Executive Academy brought to you by The Graduate School, Nichols College, in partnership with Worcester Business Journal is currently seeking applications for it’s 2026/2027 cohort. This eight-month program offers up-and-coming women professionals the skills and training needed to achieve their full potential as business leaders. The academy is anchored by real-world insights from top Central Massachusetts executives on how to navigate the business landscape and thrive in your career.

2026/2027 Academy Leaders

Program details

The Women’s Executive Academy will include eight monthly sessions on Friday from October 2026 to May 2027.

Eligibility: The Women’s Executive Academy is open to all women. All of the sessions will be in-person, and women who live or work in or near Central Massachusetts will be given priority. Women from a range of backgrounds including large companies, small companies, nonprofits, and government agencies are encouraged to apply.

Session Dates & Curriculum:

• October 9, 2026: Beyond Executive Presence, Lee Curtis, BSC Group, Worcester 
• November 13, 2026: Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience, Nina Dow, Location TBD
• December 11, 2026: From Managing to Leading: Leading Collectively and Embracing Ambiguity, Dana Neshe, Middlesex Savings Bank, Westborough 
• January 8, 2027: Knowing Your Worth, Cynthia Gray, Location TBD
• February 12, 2027: Kimberly Salmon, Building Personal Courage,  Hanover Insurance Group, Worcester
• March 12, 2027: Strategic Planning, Jean Beaupre, Nichols College, Dudley 
• April 9, 2027: How to Develop a Sponsorship Relationship, Kathleen Jordan, Seven Hills Foundation, Worcester 
• May 14, 2027: Values Driven Leadership, Marlina Duncan, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester

The academy also includes additional networking opportunities with your class joined by some of the region’s most successful women executives.

Cost: If the applicant is accepted, the cost for the eight-month program is $2,500. The cost includes program fees, course materials, and assessments. For those accepted into the program who complete the required number of sessions, a certificate of successful completion will be provided by the Graduate School, Nichols College

To apply: Fill out this Nichols College online application.

There is still time to register, apply today!

The application deadline extended to August 31, 2026. 

Payment is due to The Graduate School, Nichols College after an applicant is accepted.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a panel of judges and notified upon their acceptance, final notifications will be made by September 4, 2026.

For answers to common questions about eligibility, the program, cost, and payment, visit the FAQ page.

For further information or questions, contact Kim Krumsiek, Women’s Executive Academy Liaison at the Graduate School, Nichols College – Kim.Krumsiek@nichols.edu or Brad Kane from Worcester Business Journal – bkane@wbjournal.com.