Member Communities
ILA members can manage their member community preferences anytime by clicking here. Not a member? Join today!
Women and Leadership
The Women and Leadership Member Community advance women in leadership by bringing together researchers, coaches, educators, practitioners, and students interested in generating resources, disseminating research, and fostering the development of women leaders. We are a global community of leadership researchers, developers, master artists, and practitioners passionate about aesthetics, arts, culture, creativity, design, equity, imagination, and innovation in leadership. We are committed to cutting-edge research, practice, and leadership development methods to bring about the best leaders for the future.
See Our Bylaws Here (pdf)
Trailblazers: Bold Beginning & Clear Intent
Did you miss the live conversation with Susan Madsen? Watch the video now! In this ILA Women and Leadership member community webinar, Dr. Susan R. Madsen discusses her experiences founding the community and chairing ILA’s first two women and leadership conferences out of which emerged the Asilomar Declaration and Call to Action on Women and Leadership. Susan shares her experiences, process, and vision as an ILA Women and Leadership trailblazer.
Join Us on ILA Intersections
Navigate ILA Intersections, an exclusive online member resource. Connect with like-minded leaders, access members-only resources, ILA’s online member directory, and much more.
Not a member? Explore ILA membership options and join today!
Member Community Leadership Team
Co-President-Elect
Professor of Practice, The Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Co-President-Elect
Professor of Practice, The Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Past President
Associate Professor, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University
Contact Member Community Leaders at women&leadership@ilaglobalnetwork.org
ILA Global Conference Committee 2023
Pat Clary (Co-Chair)
Adrienne Castellon (Co-Chair)
Membership and Awards Committee, Chair & or Co-Chairs (CC)
Mary Angela Baker
Pat Clary (CC)
Rita Gardiner
Liza Howe-Walsh (CC)
Vicki Wuolle
Research and Practice Committee, Chair and or Co-Chairs (CC)
Chanda Elbert
Carole Elliott
Wendy Fox Kirk
Marlene Janzen Le Ber (CC)
Jennifer Okoliko
Randal Thompson
Relationships, Outreach & Media, Chair and or Co-Chairs (CC)
Sally Deck
Carol Clyde Gallagher (CC)
Jen Jones
Dionne Michele Rosser Mims (CC)
Janée M. Morris (V)
Task force – Young Women and Leadership
Fiona Cummings
Hayley Baker (Chair)
Giftie Umo (V)
Syeda Tuba Javaid
Merike Kolga
Priorities and Projects
Awards
Recognizing and celebrating excellence in scholarship and practice though the annual W&L awards
Empower Women Globally
Enhancing the status of women and leadership worldwide by providing a forum for networking, exchanging ideas, and mentoring
Global Women Partnerships
Fostering international collaborations and building global partnerships to nurture conversations about women and leadership
Equal Power
Aligning our collective interests as change-makers to generate solutions for increasing equality in power and decision-making
Uplift Future Leaders
Collaborating with all stakeholders committed to addressing barriers and helping girls and young women become leaders
Holistic Leadership Education
Expanding leadership education and development opportunities while acknowledging, respecting, and addressing the roles-within-roles of all women
Connectedness, Inclusivity, and Authenticity
Facilitating a paradigm shift that advances women in leadership by modeling connectedness, inclusivity, and authenticity
Leadership Research
Contributing to the body of leadership scholarship and leadership development by advancing rigorous research, identifying best practices, and partnering with publishers
Recruit Members
Recruiting members of our Committees
Get Involved
Presenter & Attendee Opportunities
ILA’s member communities make up the foundation of ILA’s Global Conference topic focused streams. Submit your session proposal and attend this premier conference.
Engage in Vibrant Discussions
Navigate ILA Intersections, an exclusive online member resource. Engage in vibrant discussions with like-minded leaders, access members-only resources and ILA’s online member directory.
Volunteer
Our activities and programs are organized by our dedicated team of member volunteers. If you would like to deepen your engagement, please email us about volunteer opportunities at women&leadership@ilaglobalnetwork.org.
Resources
The ILA offers a wide variety of leadership resources to help you elevate your leadership research and practice.
Elder Women’s Wisdom: A Reclaimed Paradigm of Leadership
Live Webinar, 9 and 10 March, 2026. Join the editors of Elder Women’s Wisdom to explore a radical paradigm that transforms leadership conversations by weaving seven threads into a model that challenges stereotypes, reclaims archetypes, and celebrates the relational, embodied, and spiritual wisdom of elder women leaders.
Commemorating International Women’s Day
ILA Board Chair Mike Hardy and President Cynthia Cherrey reflect on the history and ideals of International Women’s Day before spotlighting the work of ILA members who are advancing equity for women around the world through their diverse research and advocacy work.
Jacinda Ardern and the Challenges of Leadership
What can former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership of New Zealand reveal about the complex mix of authenticity, transparency, and masking that all leaders must grapple with? ILA Fellow Suze Wilson explores this question and more.
Deeds, Not Words: How Leaders Combat Genderwashing
Guests: Dr. Rita A. Gardiner & Dr. Hayley Baker 18 June 2025 Share: In this episode, host Scott Allen sits down with Dr. Rita Gardiner (Western University) and Dr. Hayley
2026 Women and Leadership Virtual Roundtable
Advancing Women’s Leadership in a Time of Disruption
Women Embodied Leaders: Peacebuilding, Protest, and Professions
Despite the images and expectations imposed on their bodies, women are increasingly claiming their bodies as their own through embodied somatic leadership, in protesting injustice, in promoting peace, and in working in a so-called “man’s world.”