The Women’s Leadership Accelerator is an intensive program that supercharges the leadership and management skills of women and non-binary individuals who are pushing digital innovation. The Accelerator includes tailored, immersive programming, support and coaching to participants throughout the program.

In addition to learning leadership skills and tools for navigating change, participants will have the opportunity to get feedback on challenges specific to their careers, whether an obstacle to overcome or an aspirational goal to achieve, either within their organizations or as an independent project.

The Accelerator, supported by lead funder the Dow Jones Foundation, as well as other funders and sponsors, is open to all women and non-binary individuals working in digital news media, including freelancers, entrepreneurs and independent journalists around the world. 

To learn more about supporting the program, contact Head of Partnerships Hanaa Rifaey at hanaa@journalists.org. 

ONA will screen candidates for potential, need and diversity across ethnicity, age, geography, technology platforms and skill sets. Applications (including recommendation letters) are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31, 2026.  

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Before you get started, please read about the application requirements, which include a letter of recommendation and several short answer questions. We also recommend reading the FAQs about the program. Prepare your answers before starting the application. WLA staffers will also host a Q&A session about the program on Wednesday, May 13, at 12 pm ET/11 am CT/10 am PT. Register here.