Women's Leadership Conference 2026

Our tenth year anniversary's theme celebrates the resilience and determination of women who refuse to be defined or limited by barriers, instead turning challenges into opportunities for impact. It is a call to recognize and amplify the stories of women who break through glass ceilings and lead others with authenticity. Join Yale SOM's annual flagship conference!

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The Yale Women’s Leadership Conference, established in 2016 and proudly sponsored by the Women in Management (WIM) Club at Yale School of Management, serves as a dynamic platform to empower, inspire, and connect women across industries. Through thought-provoking panels, interactive discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities, the conference fosters leadership, career advancement, and personal growth. This year’s theme, "She Is Unstoppable," champions women who persist, adapt, and build momentum amid the barriers they continue to face in their professional and personal lives.

Entirely student-run, the conference is organized by a dedicated team of Yale SOM students committed to advancing women in leadership. WIM plays a vital role in this mission, providing mentorship, professional development, and community-building initiatives that create an inclusive space for women to thrive. With the generous support of our sponsors, we are proud to offer an enriching and impactful experience. Join us for a day of learning, inspiration, and empowerment!

Sponsors

The Women's Leadership Conference is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, whose support helps us bring together leaders, thinkers and builders from across industries. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and shared commitment to advancing women in leadership

For those interested in sponsoring the conference, please reach out to sivagami.lakshmanan@yale.edu

Breaking Barriers: Women Leading in Male-Dominated Fields

Breaking barriers takes resilience, courage, and the determination to persist in spaces where women remain underrepresented. In this panel, trailblazing leaders from male-dominated industries will share how they built credibility, navigated bias, and reshaped the rooms they lead.

Meet our speakers here!

Owning Your Narrative: The Power of Personal Branding

Owning your narrative requires clarity, confidence, and the courage to show up authentically. In this panel, our incredible speakers will share how they built intentional personal brands, leveraged visibility, and used storytelling to shape opportunities and influence.

Meet our speakers here!

The Female Advantage: The Hidden Edge Women Bring to Work

The female advantage lies in perspective, empathy, and strengths that shape how work gets done. In this panel, our featured speakers will explore science-backed insights and lived experiences that highlight how these qualities drive impact across roles and industries.

Meet our speakers here!

The Next Wave: Young Women Transforming the Future

The next wave is fueled by bold thinking, experimentation, and unconventional choices made early. In this panel, our rising voices will share how they are transforming industries, , navigating uncertainty, and charting new paths forward.

Meet our speakers here!

Kiki Ayers

Founder, MyBestKidLife
Founder & CEO, Ayers Publicity
TEDx Speaker

Ryan LaForce

Partner, Paul Hastings LLP

Seema Hingorani

Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Founder, Girls Who Invest

Anna Maria Chávez

President & CEO, Arizona Community Foundation                                Former CEO, Girls Scouts of the USA                            Forbes 50 Over 50

Cynthia Johnson

Co-founder, Bell + Ivy

Amira Rasool

Founder and CEO, The Folklore Group

Beth Costello
Chief Financial Officer, The Hartford

Rachel Rothstein

Global Deal Strategy and Programs, Amazon
United States, Navy

Alyssa Kuchta

Founder, fyb jewelry

Click here to read more about Alyssa's story

Lydia Liebman

Founder & President, Lydia Liebman Promotions
Forbes 30 Under 30 (Music)

Click here to read more about Lydia's story

Rasika Venkatesa

Chef & Owner, Mythily (New York)

Click here to read more about Rasika's story

Meet our team!

Behind the Yale Women’s Leadership Conference is a dedicated student team working collaboratively to curate thoughtful programming and bring the conference to life.

Click here to meet them!

Getting to New Haven!

Get helpful guidance on traveling to New Haven, including transportation options, lodging, parking and more. Whether you’re coming from nearby or out of town, you’ll find everything you need to plan a smooth trip to campus.

Click here for more information

Schedule for the day!

Find everything you need to navigate the day, including session timings, panels, and key moments. This schedule will help you plan ahead and fully engage with the conference.

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Highlights from YWLC 2025