For me, the AWL experience came at what felt like the wrong time. But, it was absolutely what I needed when I needed it. I had just relocated to Indiana from Maryland for a job. I was swimming in change and drowning in new learnings in every aspect of my life. My Chief HR Officer suggested I might be a good fit for the AWL experience and that it would be a great way to make local connections. It ended up being both! Without the AWL experience I would have jumped into my new job with my head down – working as hard as I possibly could to learn quickly and drive results. What I would not have done is the self-awareness and self-care work that would support me doing my work in a way I could authentically sustain and uniquely contribute to with greater success. Everything I learned in the AWL experience I used immediately, both personally and professionally. The new skills have armed me with habits that changed the way I show-up and contribute to the things most important to me. I also gained a circle of sisterhood in the process! I encourage any female leader given the opportunity to join AWL to do it NOW – today! It will change you for the better.

There were two specific benefits I gained from the AWL experience. First, there was a circle of trust that was created by working in such an intimate cohort space. My group bonded quickly. We supported each other to be bolder in all aspects of our lives, then held each other accountable. Second, it allowed me the ability to practice vulnerability in a way I never had before. My cohort partner pushed and pushed me to strengthen that muscle while creating the space for me to trust she was doing this because I needed it and because she knew I would be better for it.

I am excited about the life-long journey I will have with all the other women who have graduated from AWL. I know I will continue to grow from the experience because of what I put into it. I want to stay connected to the group in a significant way because these ladies want me to be my best, but can only do so based on their knowing me and my allowing them to continue to support me.

The team is fantastic! They not only facilitate meetings but they also participate along the way. They are truly the secret sauce to the success of the AWL experience. They share the research behind why we do what we do in the monthly sessions but they also share their hearts. One of my favorite parts of the experience was my check-ins with Sheri, who was my coach throughout the AWL experience. We talked about some really challenging things not only related to female leadership, but also to me more specifically as a woman of color. I absolutely valued her ways of asking me to consider my perspective and the perspective of those I interacted with in different ways. In every situation, her coaching supported my making better decisions.