Programs Built on Relationships and Creative Co-Creation

CWL's programs bring together cross-regional and specialized cohorts of rising women and gender-expansive leaders to build skills, relationships, and the courage to lead — across all 36 Oregon counties.

What We Do

The Center for Women’s Leadership strives to meet the needs of rising women and gender expansive leaders across our region by offering curated learning communities. These communities catalyze learning and growth around leadership practices that are explicitly anti-racist; grounded in intersectional feminist and queer ways of thinking, feeling, and doing; embracing of radical imagination; and dedicated to creating a culture of relationality and care among participants and in our communities.

Our current offerings range from short term virtual learning spaces, longer term leadership fellowships, and building sustained communities.

We believe in being emergent and iterative in our offerings to be responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

CWL's mission has always been about impact beyond a single institution. As Oregon’s political and economic landscape shifts, the demand for accessible, community-driven leadership development has never been more urgent. Currently, women hold just 15% of leadership positions across sectors statewide. Programs that build civic and professional leadership capacity are declining, while the need for leaders grounded in empathy, equity, and collaboration continues to grow. We are ready to build upon our 23-year history and begin our new chapter as a community-based leadership incubator rising to be responsive to needs across the state.

Our Programs

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    Leadership Development

    Curated learning communities offered in a hybrid format of virtual and in-person sessions to bring together cohorts of cross-regional leaders. Themes are set in co-creation with participants who represent intergenerational and geographical diversity and a shared interest in our region’s shared prosperity. We have engaged over 1,000 participants since the Center’s founding.

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    Convening Community

    Opportunities for the CWL community to deepen our connective tissue and dive into issues impacting the intersection of gender, race, and other categories of difference. Our last learning series, Solidarity in Sovereignty, engaged over 200 community members in meaningful conversations on the contemporary issues facing Native Nations. 


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    Coaching & Mentorship

    Access to leadership and career coaching from a variety of certified, statewide providers to amplify the potential and leadership practice of our program alumni throughout their careers. Relational network building through formal and casual mentorship connections and support with multi-sector leaders across the state of Oregon. For rising and seasoned professionals.

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    Turn Up Your Voice

    Taking Action for Community Change (Rural Leaders Program). A collaboration with Rural Development Initiatives to engage rising community leaders from across the state in exploring dimensions of power.

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    NEW Leadership Oregon

    For 24 years, NEW Leadership Oregon has brought together cohorts of college students to explore leadership. Our current program is a 6-month fellowship co-designed with our participants to meet their needs.

    In fall 2026, we will be offering a specialized retreat open to all NLO alumni. Additional information coming soon!

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    Gender, Leadership & Policy

    Focused on intersectional social issues impacting the quality of life for women and gender-expansive people in Oregon. Our 2025 learning theme was the Care Giving Crisis and Care Economy.

    Our next cohort will begin in winter 2027.

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    Experience leadership in action. Workshops and conversations with changemakers, our events are designed to spark connection, build skills, and support women at every stage of their journey.

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