Women leadership program launched in Dayton area

Keynote speaker Beth Mooney, KeyCorp CEO, addressed the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning. KAITLIN SCHROEDER/STAFF

Keynote speaker Beth Mooney, KeyCorp CEO, addressed the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning. KAITLIN SCHROEDER/STAFF

A new program in the Dayton area is designed to empower the next generation of women in executive leadership.

The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce is working with Aileron to launch a new program called Empower to help women in management grow their careers.

The new program was presented Tuesday morning at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, held at Sinclair Community College.

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Empower will be a 10-month intensive cohort, said Kevin Weckesser, board president of the chamber.

“Created for women in mid to to upper management, Empower will guide participates as they identify their own leadership strengths, values and goals while empowering them to eliminate barriers to advancement,” Weckesser said.

Participants will attend in-depth leadership workshops, day-sessions and business coaching.

Weckesser said those in the cohort will get hands on business coaching to develop “their own personal brand” and build a support system to help them build their career.

“Our goal is to change the culture in the business community and pave the way to the top for all motivated business leaders,” he said.

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The goal of the program is to eliminate barriers that keep women from advancing their careers, encourage authentic self reflection, connect women with peer leaders and change the culture within organizations in the Dayton area.

Candidates for Empower should be someone who is already in a manager or leadership role and has been identified as a candidate for future growth opportunities or wants to take their leadership to the next level.

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Applications will be accepted for the inaugural 2018 Empower program year through May 31. Participants will be selected in July, and the program will begin in September.

Program pricing is $3,000 for Dayton Area Chamber members and $4,800 for non-chamber members.

Aileron is a Tipp City-area campus that supports businesses and entrepreneurs and was founded by Clay Mathile, former CEO of Iams Co.

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