Women's Leadership Program
The Women’s Leadership Program of the Leadership Institute trains the next generation of conservative women to become leaders –– and to win for their principles.
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Press Release
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Media Contact: Tamara Colbert
C: 626.244.5571
New Women’s Leadership Program at Leadership Institute Takes the Fight for Women’s Rights to the Next Level
To empower the next generation of conservative women leaders in America.
Arlington, VA – May 1, 2025 – The Leadership Institute is proud to announce the launch of its new Women’s Leadership Program, a transformative initiative designed to train, equip, and empower the next generation of women to stand up and speak out for truth, fairness, and women’s rights.
The Leadership Institute’s new Women’s Leadership Program builds upon and expands the essential work initiated by the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute, which Gaines co-founded in 2023 to protect women’s sports and challenge radical gender ideology.
Building on the bold and influential work of Riley Gaines—a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and one of the nation’s most prominent advocates for women’s sports—the Women’s Leadership Program is the next step in a movement that refuses to be silenced.
Participants will receive mentorship, strategic training, and access to top-tier resources to prepare them for leadership on campus, in campaigns, and across the conservative movement.
“I chose to join the Leadership Institute because I know this is where I can make a significant impact and reach young people to encourage them to join the fight,” said Riley Gaines when she founded the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute.
As Riley moves on from the Leadership Institute to continue her work as a conservative leader, future women leaders will continue to be inspired, trained, and mentored by LI’s new Women’s Leadership Program.
The Women’s Leadership Program of the Leadership Institute trains the next generation of conservative women to become leaders—and to win for their principles:
- Campaign leaders. The Women’s Leadership Program provides scholarships to train conservative women leaders at LI’s Youth Leadership School, known as the “boot camp of politics,” and LI’s Campaign Leadership College, the most advanced campaign training for conservative women in America.
- Campus leaders. Each year, Leadership Institute trains hundreds of conservative women through the Campus Leadership Program. LI’s Campus Reform trains and mentors conservative women journalists for careers in media.
- Conservative movement leaders. LI’s Women’s Leadership Program partners with major conservative women’s organizations to provide activism, communications, and fundraising training for their members and leaders.
From 2023 to 2025, Riley and her Riley Gaines Center Ambassadors, at the Leadership Institute:
- Reached 13,360 young people at 102 campus events during exciting campus visits,
- Inspired the next generation of conservative women to speak the truth boldly and clearly.
The Women’s Leadership Program will continue and expand Riley’s work to raise up principled, fearless, truth-telling conservative women who are ready to lead—and win.
“This new program is more than a launch—it’s a declaration,” said Morton Blackwell, President of the Leadership Institute. “With the Riley Gaines Center, we planted the flag. Now, with the Women’s Leadership Program, we’re building the army.”
Graduates of LI’s training are elected officials, conservative leaders, and activists in all 50 states.
In the 2024 election alone, more than 405 conservative women trained by LI won office at the local, state, and federal levels—including five Members of Congress. Alumnae also serve as state party chairs and lead conservative organizations nationwide as founders, presidents, and key staff.
For more information, visit: LeadershipInstitute.org/womensprogram
Mission
Training the Next Generation of Women
The Women’s Leadership Program of the Leadership Institute trains the next generation of conservative young women to become leaders –– and to win for their principles.
- Campaign leaders. The Women’s Leadership Program provides scholarships to LI’s Youth Leadership School, known as the “boot camp of politics,” and Campaign Leadership College, the most advanced campaign training in America.
- Campus leaders. Each year, Leadership Institute trains hundreds of young conservatives through the Campus Leadership Program and LI’s Campus Reform training and mentorship for young journalists.
- Conservative movement leaders. LI’s Women’s Leadership Program partners with major conservative women’s organizations each year to provide activism, communications, and fundraising training for their members and leaders.
Impact
Alumnae of Leadership Institute lead across America
LI’s alumnae are elected officials, conservative organization leaders, and conservative student leaders and activists in all 50 states.
In the 2024 election, more than 405 conservative women –– all graduates of LI training –– won elected office at the local, state, and federal level, including five Members of Congress.
Alumnae are also the state chairs of the political parties of their choice.
And, in all 50 states, alumnae of LI training lead conservative organizations as founders, presidents, and key staff.
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Future
The Women’s Leadership Program began with the Riley Gaines Center
In May 2025, Leadership Institute launched its first-ever Women’s Leadership Program to do even more to train a new generation of principled, fearless, truth-telling women leaders.
The Women’s Leadership Program continues the important work of the highly successful Riley Gaines Center, which LI created with Riley in 2023.
Riley, an All-American collegiate swimmer, led the fight to save women’s sports and to protect young women and girls from the left’s radical gender ideology.
From 2023 to 2025, Riley and her Riley Gaines Center Ambassadors at the Leadership Institute:
- Reached thousands of young people at 102 campus events during exciting campus visits,
- Inspired the next generation of conservative women to speak the truth boldly and clearly.
In 2025, as Riley decided to step into the next chapter of her journey as a conservative women’s leader, the generation of women she inspired through LI’s Riley Gaines Center will continue to fight and win across America through LI’s Women’s Leadership Program.
