The Women’s Leadership Program, which launches at Bentley in September, unfolds over four years to prepare female students with the skills, strategies and confidence needed to succeed as business leaders.

“The Center for Women and Business has a unique position on a college campus. It gives us the opportunity to empower young women with important skills and knowledge before they enter the workforce,” says the center’s executive director, Deborah Pine.  

  

“A purposeful life to me means leaving a mark, a legacy, and making a difference.”

Abigail M., Class of 2021 and Participant, Women’s Leadership Program

Inaugural participants: 45 young women in the incoming Class of 2021, selected for their future leadership potential

Program focus: Leadership, gender equity and workplace dynamics

Home base:Bentley’s Center for Women and Business (CWB)

Opportunities: Workshops, academic courses and experiential learning focused on workplace diversity issues, communications competencies and inclusive leadership; exposure to real-world perspectives through mentoring; visits to organizations where women thrive

Support: Individual awards of $10,000 per year toward tuition

Founding partner: Liberty Mutual, whose grant of $1 million funds financial awards and co-curricular learning; the insurance giant employs more than 500 Bentley alumni

Looking ahead: The program will engage additional companies in the mission to have a positive impact on young women’s academic and professional careers

“To succeed in the global marketplace, companies have to attract and retain the right skills and the best, most diverse talent,” says Melanie Foley, MBA ’02, executive vice president and chief talent and enterprise services officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance. “The CWB program helps strengthen our talent pipeline with highly qualified female candidates.”