How Women-Centered Leadership Networks Influence Access, Persistence, and Power in Independent Schools

Abstract

The Heads Network is a nonprofit organization that supports leadership development and professional connection among women educators in independent schools. This capstone examined how The Heads Network’s Women’s Leadership Seminar influences participants’ leadership identity, access to sponsorship, professional networks, and opportunities for advancement. The investigation used participant surveys, organizational program evaluations, semi-structured interviews, and organizational documents to analyze participant experiences and the seminar’s broader leadership impact. Findings indicated that leadership identity and sponsorship work together to support advancement, while participants also expressed a need for stronger long-term outcome tracking, structured alumni engagement, sustained sponsorship, and continued leadership development beyond the seminar.