While the microfinance industry has witnessed enormous growth and international attention in the last decade, there has been a discouraging downward trend in the percentage of women in management and leadership. WWB is committed to maintaining women’s leadership in the industry and building the next generation of leaders. WWB’s Women’s Leadership Development Program aims to advance women as leaders in their local microfinance organizations.

In many parts of the world, women in positions of authority are a relatively new phenomenon, and the obstacles women executives face can be formidable. In order to sharpen their leadership skills and teach them how to be stronger, more effective leaders in their organizations, WWB brings women microfinance managers together for a five-day, highly participatory leadership development course. Co-designed with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Center for Leadership and Change Management, the course provides an opportunity for these women to analyze their impact and develop leadership goals. Participants in the program are also given access to WWB’s highly acclaimed best practice workshops, policy forums and global exchanges, and an opportunity to build international networks.

Other key elements under the Program include:

• learning groups that enable women to receive peer support for their action plans and to exchange resources,
• thematic workshops that broaden women's perspectives by providing exposure to microfinance themes and issues, and
• providing virtual access to resources and materials on leadership, including video interviews of leaders in and outside the network and discussions on key issues.