Are you ready to be inspired and take a step forward in your leadership journey? 

Applications for the 2024 cohort are being accepted until Friday, March 15, 2024! Please click here to apply.

Stay informed on recruitment events and application information for the ATHENA NextGen Thought Leadership Series – cohort 2024.

ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that offers dynamic programs for professional women in Central Florida, accepts applications each year for the ATHENA NextGen program. NextGen is the only women’s professional development program of its kind in Orlando. Each session provides a toolkit for developing emerging leaders, as well as a 360 degree look at how to shape business mentoring in our community.  

Designed as a collaborative forum, participants will learn about mentoring and leadership strategies through a series of eight sessions. Discussion topics are led by prominent women leaders and are based on the eight principles of the ATHENA Leadership Model™. 

Consider ATHENA NextGen as your outsourced leadership development training bootcamp. Participants who complete this program will emerge with tools for navigating personal and professional challenges, and access to a network of professional women supporting them throughout their time in NextGen and beyond through our Alumni Outreach and Engagement network.  

Dates are announced at the start of the application process, with the cohort meeting one morning a month from May through December from 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. This affords our participants the ability to plan ahead with very minimal time taken away from the office each month. 

Who should consider applying for NextGen? 

Emerging women leaders or veteran professionals who have recently re-entered the workforce or embarked on a new career path are encouraged to apply. Our participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds, age groups and industries as well as different ethnicities that reflect the communities that we serve. Our goal each year is to assemble an inclusive, well-rounded cohort for the benefit of the participants. Diversity in both backgrounds and industry sectors offers participants the opportunity to hear many different perspectives on the issues most important to today’s women business leaders – and is essential to the success of this program.  

Participants in past NextGen cohorts have represented various industry sectors, such as corporate, non-profit, government, entrepreneurs and more. 

How much is the program and what is included in this fee? 

The cost for the entire program is $750 and includes full registration for eight months, educational materials, networking social events, breakfast at the morning sessions, and a copy of Becoming ATHENA: Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership by Martha Mertz, Founder of ATHENA International. 

How to Apply:

Central Florida women leaders who are ready to take the next step and embrace an open dialogue about the future of women’s leadership should consider applying.    

To have the application process go as smoothly as possible, we suggest doing the following things: 

• Have a copy of your resume handy 
• Receive support from your supervisor to participate in the program before applying 
• Ask for letters of recommendation from your employer and/or ATHENA NextGen alumnae 

Due to the collaborative nature of these sessions, ATHENA NextGen has a limited number of seats available.    

Questions? 

For questions about ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc. or ATHENA NextGen, please Contact Us.