"Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The LEAD Academy Mission
The LEAD Academy mission is to encourage the retention of women attorneys in the legal profession and to assist them in attaining the highest levels of success in their firms, organizations, and communities.
The LEAD Academy focuses on:
Leading in a way that is authentic and effective;
Empowering oneself and others with awareness and confidence;
Advancing professionally & personally; and
Developing robust professional networks.
The LEAD Academy Program
Developed and refined annually by the LEAD Academy Steering Committee, the LEAD Academy Curriculum develops women attorneys regardless of the stage of their career. The program begins each year in January and ends with a graduation ceremony in September. Through a series of retreats, seminars, mixers, community service initiatives, and events, the LEAD Academy class members study and apply key curriculum concepts including: risk taking; building key relationships; growth mindset; grit; self-care and stress management; vision; authenticity; breaking barriers; effective self-promotion tactics; managing people, time and expectations; handling controversy; and understanding strengths.
Previous LEAD Academy classes consisted of sixteen attorneys with two to fourteen years of practice. We encourage candidates to apply from a wide range of practice areas and organizations. Prior class members include attorneys working as solo practitioners and for small. mid-size and large firms, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The selection committee may determine that a larger or smaller class is appropriate, depending on the strength of applications received.
Important Dates
For additional program information or questions regarding the application and selection process, contact LEAD Academy Recruitment Chair and Class Liaison Nadeen Abou-Hossa at nabou-hossa@gcaklaw.com.
Ready to apply or even nominate someone? Click below!
The Class of 2025: Key Dates
Sample Schedule
January 2025
15th: Class Welcome Mixer @ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
29-31st: Empower Symposium 4:00 p.m. (29th), 3:00 p.m. (31st)
March 2025
6th: Advance Seminar @ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
May 2025
8th: Develop Seminar @ 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
August 2025
21st: Lead Seminar @ 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September 2025
13th: Class Graduation @ 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
For additional program information or questions regarding the application and selection process, contact LEAD Academy Recruitment Chair and Class Liaison Nadeen Abou-Hossa at nabou-hossa@gcaklaw.com.
Welcome Mixer & Speed Networking Event
Symposium/Retreat – Empower
Day 1 (evening): Welcome mixer & Icebreaker
Day 2 agenda:
Where We Are
Building a Path to Success
StrengthFinder Workshop
Vision & Authenticity
Self-Care & Stress Management
GRIT & Growth Mindset
Building Key Relationship
Seminar 1 — Advance
Communication Strategies to Lead
Build Relationships and Break Barriers
Seminar 2 – Develop
Bold and Accomplished: Effective Self-Promotion Tactics
Fall Seminar – Lead
Managing People, Time, & Expectations
Graduation Celebration
Risk-Taking & Handling Controversy
What People Are Saying
“For me, the most valuable lesson from LEAD has been in overcoming self-doubt. One of the things that helped me overcome my self-doubt was studying these strengths together as a class. It was so helpful to hear from others with similar experiences and challenges.”
— Molly Thomson
“I think that LEAD was my one stability throughout the pandemic. It was helpful to have this group of women to bounce things off of, commiserate and get ideas of ways to have fun during the year formerly referred to as 2020.”
— Ali Nixon