This article was originally published on Chattanoogan.com.


Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute (CWLI), a non-profit organization for empowering and educating local businesswomen, announced on Monday that it is accepting applications for its 2016 Women Mentoring Women program.

Since 2008, the annual program has encouraged strong and passionate businesswomen to develop critical leadership skills by providing an intricate and extensive network of women in the community. Participants will meet regularly and will develop their mentoring skills, explore issues facing business owners and organization members, and strengthen individual talents and skills needed to work more effectively and efficiently.

“The tips I learned from the Women Mentoring Women program have been tremendous instruments in both my professional and personal life,” said Sharon Braden, a marketing manager at Thompson Engineering. “Tips on how to speak, teambuilding, political smarts, marketing, networking and visibility – I walked away with a tool chest full of beneficial information.”

By attending eight mandatory meetings beginning Aug. 26, the accepted individuals will gain exceptional insight into female leadership by being mentored by important leaders in our society. Previous presenters include Carol Newton, former chief financial officer of Memorial Health Care System, and Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, executive director of Hamilton County’s Read 20 program.

A maximum of 20 women will be accepted into this year’s program. Applications can be downloaded on CWLI’s website and are due by June 20, along with two letters of recommendation. More information about the program, including tuition rates and 2016 class dates, can be found at www.cwli.org/women-mentoring-women.