Don’t Just Fit In. Stand Out and Shine. A new form of leadership for the non-profit sector.

Approach • Institute Goals • Planning Committee • Programming Schedule • Radiant Renaissance • Testimonials • Apply

Overview

Radiant equips women of color with the tools and skills to shine through the status quo and create solutions to society’s complex issues through effective leadership.

The Radiant Leadership Institute is a community-building, personal growth, and leadership development initiative of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)®. It is designed to inspire and equip courageous influencers to shape and lead 21st-century organizations. Our tools, theories, and strategies have an overarching equity plan with a gender justice lens.

The Institute’s content, faculty, and experiential approach support outcomes that result in both impactful leadership and systemic transformation.

There is a required $100 non-refundable application fee for the Radiant Leadership Institute.

If an applicant is not accepted into the cohort, the application fee can be applied to WOC membership at renewal, can be used as a one-year Standard gift membership, or as a credit towards any WOC registration fees in 2024 (not including the Symposium).

Our Approach

The Radiant Leadership Institute is designed for the authentic transformation of its participants.

Leadership comes in many forms. Our curriculum provides differentiating content that invites women to bring their whole selves to their lives, with a focus on their vocations and service. It also invites them to address the key question: What does that mean in leadership or spaces of influence?

The opinion makers, industry experts, published authors, and inspiring executives at the Institute will introduce concepts and models for leadership success. Radiant challenges traditional terms, theories, and beliefs. It creates concepts of change to accommodate women of color in our array of representation in the fundraising and philanthropy world.

As we review knowledge and ideas from various thought leaders, what does this mean for you as you go down your career path?
Can you be your authentic self in traditional paths?
How do you create and find opportunities, as well as find the right people to support and serve along the way?

The Radiant Leadership Institute Goals

Two Latinas giving a whiteboard presentation.

Gain tools, strategies, and ideas for personal growth and self-investment.
Learn principles of and practices for courageous communication.
Gain leadership development perspectives, lessons, knowledge, and skills.
Add your gifts and talents to meaningful and measurable community building.
Harness sector knowledge and best practices for application with impact.
Participate in a branding opportunity; be promoted (via class features) as a top field leader, and gain exposure to national and global leaders.
Benefit from an opportunity to go live: participate in on-site or virtual interviews on the experience.

What You Will Learn

Personal mission and core values
The value of self-investment
Leadership through a gender lens
Innovation — contributing uniquely to today’s and tomorrow’s complex societal challenges
Career negotiation and navigation
Communication for personal and professional relationships
Sector knowledge for the new and emerging issues to be a change agent

Sponsorship Suggestions

Self-investment is a form of professional development; the latter is often included in an organization’s budget.

Why not be proactive by asking your employer to consider investing in you and your career?

Planning Committee

Christal M. Cherry

Winsome Foderingham

Mary M. Luke

Jeannie Infante Sager

Angela Seaworth

Programming Schedule

Radiant Reimagined

As RLI continues to grow and evolve, we will take what we have learned recently to provide the best possible experience for our 2025 cohort members.

Hence, Radiant’s new format is a multi-day intensive where all coursework will be taught in-person as we come together in powerful community and celebration.

Still called the Radiant Renaissance, the sessions will occur from April 30-May 2, 2025, culminating in our standard in-person graduation ceremony.

The learning segment is scheduled to take place on both May 1 and May 2, culminating in our graduation ceremony, where members will receive their certificates of completion.

While the board fellowship is no longer a direct part of the Radiant Leadership Institute, WOC is committed to supporting our cohorts in their journeys.

Beginning with the Class of 2025, we will provide a special post-graduation coaching session to help graduates map out plans for their future leadership endeavors.

A Radiant Renaissance

Overview

Wednesday through Friday, April 30-May 2, 2025 (arrival Tuesday evening for Wednesday morning welcome breakfast).

Questions? Contact Arielle at arielle@yfj-consulting.com

Tuition: $3,475*

50% due at acceptance

Price Includes

All sessions/coursework from nonprofit/philanthropy thought leaders and experts
Radiant Course Guide and Welcome Package
Two (2) leadership coaching sessions (provided during six-month post-graduation period)
Networking opportunities with the cohort and Radiant stakeholders

Radiant Renaissance

Wellness session
Hotel stay (Tuesday-Thursday nights; ex Friday night); Tuesday evening arrival for welcome breakfast and course start on May 1)
Welcome breakfast
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Wednesday and Thursday; graduation breakfast on Friday)

Application Criteria?