DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire Executive Development Program will host its second Women's Leadership Development Program at the Peter T. Paul College of Business of Economics April 16-18, 2014.

The three-day executive program focuses on the critical capacities of women leaders at pivotal stages in their careers. It is designed for women with significant professional experience who are looking to advance or transform their role within senior circles. The program helps women to achieve the following learning objectives:

• Clarify and focus on leadership identity and purpose.
• Gain understanding of current ability to demonstrate key leadership capabilities, including emotional intelligence competencies, through world-class self- and 360 degree assessments.
• Build self-awareness of leadership strengths and developmental opportunities to create a personal development plan.
• Develop influential executive capabilities in communicating, negotiating, strategic networking, and leading organizational change.
• Create meaningful, life-long professional contacts with participants, instructors and the program's speakers.

"We've found that our women leaders leave the program very clear about next steps and personal goals. But when they return to work, the steps and goals become less and less clear over time, largely because of the day-to-day demands of their jobs. A coaching session at the 60-day mark reinforces learning and helps participants reach the goals they set during the program," said Vanessa Druskat, faculty director for the Women's Leadership Development Program and associate professor of organizational behavior at Paul College.

In addition to Druskat, the program is taught by Carole Barnett, associate professor of management at UNH; Sheila McNamee, professor of communication at UNH; Deborah Kolb, professor emerita of Simmons College; and psychologist Ann Perschel.

"The purpose of your leadership is derived from your life story, your passions and your capabilities," Barnett said. "Knowing what your passions are -- that's the critical insight that can enable you to understand your true purpose as a leader."

Like other UNH executive development programs the Women's Leadership Development Program incorporates lecture, group discussion, readings, case studies, personal assessments, and reflection.

The cost is $3,500 per person. UNH alumni receive a 10 percent discount. Fees include pre-work and program materials; meals during the program (breakfasts, lunches, and one dinner, morning and afternoon breaks); and 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Registration and more information can be found at http://execed.unh.edu/Womens-Leadership-Development-Program-NH.

The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics offers a full complement of high-quality programs in business, economics, accounting, finance, information systems management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and hospitality management at UNH. Programs are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive development levels. The college is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier accrediting agency for business schools worldwide. For more information, visit paulcollege.unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,300 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

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