CMA Announces the Return of its Women’s Leadership Academy

CMA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF ITS WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY  

Premier Professional Development Program  Designed to Serve Up to 16 Women Within the Country Music Industry 

 Applications for the 2023 Women’s Leadership Academy  Open Now Through Friday, March 31 

CMA, the premier membership trade association of the Country Music industry, has announced the return of its Women’s Leadership Academy. The in-demand professional development program launched in 2022 and is an interactive group coaching experience for high-performing, high-potential women leaders within Country Music. Applications for this year’s academy are open now through Friday, March 31 at CMAworld.com/membership.  

First launched in 2022, the Women’s Leadership Academy not only provided participants with premier level professional development training led by Diane Watson, PCC and Cory Colton, PCC, BCC, but it also established the foundation of a network of female leaders across the Country community. Participants were given the tools needed to lead their teams well, and the courage to acknowledge the achievements of other women without a sense of competition. Through one-on-on coaching sessions, educational sessions as a group, and group coaching sessions twice a month, the program structure created an environment of exchange and trust-building, while allowing sufficient space for all participants. 

“We developed the Women’s Leadership Academy knowing that a critical need existed to support our talented women leaders within the business, but the success of the program has surpassed our wildest dreams,” says Tiffany Kerns, Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “We are beyond thrilled to bring this program back in 2023. Not only did our inaugural class receive world class professional development catered to their specific needs, but a deep bond was formed with each other that reaches far beyond their 9 to 5 lives. Our hope was for the women to build community with each other, while setting the stage for the program to evolve into an alumni network, and that is exactly what has happened. We are truly grateful for the women who make up our 2022 class and we look forward to welcoming a new class into the program this year.”  

Participants of the 2023 Women’s Leadership Academy will begin their journey establishing individual goals before connecting with one another for group sessions. Led by expert executive coaches, Watson and Colton, the educational programming aims to strengthen professional acumen by working through critical topics like increased self-awareness and how to use it strategically, confidence building and communicating effectively, managing inner criticism to unleash further potential, building a personal brand and networking successfully, as well as creating a better work-life integration by setting boundaries. 

Visit CMAworld.com/membership to learn more about the 2023 Women’s Leadership Academy, including information on how to submit an application or to nominate a deserving candidate.