Some programs teach leadership.

We build leadership Mastery.

Women Igniting Leadership Lab is an intimate, 9 month journey for 25 exceptional women leaders who are ready to transform their leadership capacity while building a powerful community of peers.

Beyond Theory. Into Practice.

Leadership isn't learned in a lecture. It's forged in moments of challenge, refined through practice, and strengthened in community.

women igniting leadership lab.

When we first envisioned Women Igniting Leadership, we dreamed of creating something extraordinary—an experience that would challenge and care for women leaders while inspiring them to expand their leadership beyond the boundaries of fear. We sought to uncover a way to cultivate skills that often seem intangible yet were know are vital for leadership:

  • Staying calm under intense pressure.

  • Remaining strategic amidst chaos.

  • Recognizing and addressing systemic patterns rather than just surface-level symptoms…

The Lab is the manifestation of this vision—a flagship program, a bold pilot, and an innovative experiment. It is built on the belief that a talented, thoughtful group of women leaders and leadership educators can co-create a transformative experience. One that serves as a crucible, igniting leadership in ways that haven’t been done before.

We invite you to join us on this exciting journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. Together, we can redefine what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, and impact.

Program Journey

Summer:
Get on the Balcony

(Intensive 2days @Virtual)

  • Develop sophisticated diagnostic skills for complex challenges

  • Build a foundation of systems thinking and self-awareness

  • Join a carefully curated community of peer leaders

  • Begin work on your specific leadership challenge

Autumn:
Deep Dive

(Monthly @Virtual)

  • Engage in monthly group case consultations

  • Receive expert coaching on real-world challenges

  • Apply new frameworks to your leadership situations

  • Build sustainable practices for resilience and growth

Spring:
Get on the Dance Floor

(Intensive 2days @New York)

  • Master practical skills for high-pressure situations

  • Learn to calibrate your power and build influence

  • Transform your leadership presence

  • Strengthen your peer support network

How You’ll Practice

True leadership transformation requires more than theories and frameworks. It requires:

  • A safe space to experiment and fail forward

  • Real-time feedback from expert coaches

  • A community of peers facing similar challenges

  • Structured practice of difficult skills

  • Immediate application to real-world situations

Our world-class faculty provide:

  • Real-time feedback on your leadership presence

  • Strategic guidance on complex challenges

  • Frameworks for analyzing difficult situations

  • Support in developing new capabilities

Between sessions, you'll:

  • Apply new skills to current challenges

  • Document your experiments and insights

  • Share learnings with your peer group

  • Receive ongoing coaching support

Your cohort of 25 accomplished leaders offers:

  • Diverse perspectives on shared challenges

  • Safe space to experiment with new approaches

  • Honest feedback on your impact

  • Lasting professional relationships

Essential Skills You’ll Master

Presence & Power

  • Maintain composure in high-pressure situations and public scrutiny

  • Navigate effectively when answers aren't clear and ambiguity is high

  • Project confidence while managing challenging stakeholders

  • Build and calibrate your use of formal and informal authority

Strategic Influence

  • Design and lead crucial conversations that drive results

  • Create conditions for high team performance

  • Provide motivating feedback that catalyzes growth

  • Build coalitions across diverse stakeholder groups

Advanced Problem Solving

  • Diagnose complex challenges with sophisticated frameworks

  • Design innovative solutions for "wicked problems"

  • Lead experimental approaches with confidence

  • Navigate political dynamics while maintaining integrity

Sustainable Leadership Practice

  • Develop personal resilience strategies for high-pressure roles

  • Build practices for active recovery and energy management

  • Create support systems that combat leadership isolation

  • Master techniques for leading through uncertainty and change

Investment

Program Fee: US $10,000 - Early Bird Discount 20%

  • Includes all virtual sessions, in-person workshops, and materials

  • Does not include travel and accommodation expenses

*Discounts available. Please let us know if this fee would be a hardship to you and we will try to help!

Our World Class Team

  • Dr Kirsti Samuels

    Founder & CEO @ KS Insight
    Associate Professor @ Columbia University

    Bio

  • Mitzi Johnson

    Former Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives

    Bio

  • Vivian Williams-Kurutz

    Founder and Executive Director, Harlem Wellness Center

    Bio

  • Dr Cristina Stasia

    Former Director of Leadership Training at Peter Lougheed

    Bio

  • Dr Heidi Stalla

    Yale College Lecturer and Associate Director of Academic Affairs

    Bio

  • Chiara Ghidelli

    Senior Designer @ Architects of Group Genius

    Bio

  • Saffron Samuels

    Award winning Designer & Educator

    Bio

  • Nina Blackwelder

    Program Coordinator @ KS Insight & campaign consultant to Georgia State House Caucus

    Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this program for?

This program is designed for accomplished women leaders across sectors (scientific, government, nonprofit, corporate) who manage teams, budgets, and complex stakeholder relationships. Ideal candidates have 5+ years of leadership experience and are ready for their next level of growth.

What makes this program different from other leadership training?

This isn't another workshop about personality types or management theories. This is a leadership laboratory where you'll practice mastering the hardest skills:

  • Staying strategic under intense pressure

  • Maintaining composure when stakes are high

  • Seeing systems, not just symptoms

  • Leading through uncertainty and resistance

True mastery comes through determined practice. You'll work in our laboratory with expert coaches and a committed peer community, applying frameworks to real challenges and receiving immediate feedback. This combination of rigorous practice, expert guidance, and peer support creates lasting transformation.

The intimate cohort size (30 leaders) ensures deep engagement and personalized attention across our 9-month journey, combining virtual learning with intensive in-person sessions in NYC

What is the time commitment?

The program spans 9 months :

- It launches with a 2-day virtual intensive

- Then meets monthly for 2-hour virtual case consultations

- It closes with: 2-day in-person workshop in NYC

What is the investment?

The program fee is $10,000 with a 20% discount for early bird registration. Discounts are available for qualified candidates. Travel and accommodation for the NY in person capstone are not included.

Do I need to attend all sessions?

Yes. The program builds progressively, and the intimate cohort structure relies on consistent participation. We ask participants to commit to all scheduled sessions.

What if I've never studied Adaptive Leadership?

The program is designed for both newcomers and those familiar with Adaptive Leadership. We create learning groups that address diverse experience levels.

Will I get individual coaching?

While the program emphasizes peer learning and group case consultation, participants receive significant individual attention during both virtual and in-person sessions.

How are participants selected?

Applications are reviewed holistically, considering leadership experience, current challenges, and potential contribution to the learning community.

What happens after the program ends?

Participants join our alumni network and we expect will maintain strong connections with their cohort. Many of our alumni of other programs continue meeting regularly for peer consultation and support.

Is my organization too small/large for this program?

We welcome leaders from organizations of all sizes. The focus is on the complexity of your leadership challenges rather than organizational size.

Can international participants join?

Yes. While we schedule primarily for participants on the Eastern U.S. and Canada, we welcome international participants who can commit to the schedule and travel to NYC for the in-person portion.

How much interaction is there with faculty?

Our world-class faculty are actively engaged throughout the program, facilitating sessions, providing feedback, and sharing their extensive experience across sectors.

What if I need to miss a session due to emergency?

While full participation is expected, we understand emergencies arise. We work with participants to ensure they can catch up on missed content.

Is there pre-work required?

Yes. Participants complete pre-program diagnostics and readings to ensure everyone starts with a common foundation.

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open. Click below begin the process. Early applications are encouraged as we expect that spaces will fill quickly.