Women's Leadership Academy:
Lead the Way You Were Meant To
Your Next Chapter in Leadership Starts Here
The program is structured in three progressive phases:
• Lead Yourself – focused on confidence, burnout prevention, emotional regulation, leadership identity, boundaries, and personal sustainability
• Lead the Business – focused on operational leadership, financial literacy, workplace culture, strategic decision-making, and ownership development
• Lead the Profession – focused on professional influence, governance, advocacy, public speaking, mentorship, and long-term leadership impact
Throughout the Academy, participants build a comprehensive Leadership Strategy Plan that serves as the program’s capstone project and professional roadmap. Participants also receive one-on-one executive coaching each quarter, peer support opportunities, live workshops, leadership intensives, and ongoing accountability throughout the experience.
The Academy is designed for women at all stages of their professional journey – including emerging leaders, managers, owners, educators, suppliers, and professionals exploring future leadership or ownership opportunities within funeral service and deathcare.
This experience is not simply about leadership theory. It is about equipping women with the tools, confidence, support, and strategic vision needed to lead effectively, sustain themselves personally, and help shape the future of the profession.
Scholarships Available
Scholarships for the Women’s Leadership Academy are available.
Scholarship applications are closed. New applications will be accepted next year.
The Women Who Benefit Most
The Academy is designed for women at all stages of their professional journey, including emerging leaders, managers, owners, educators, suppliers, and professionals exploring future leadership or ownership opportunities within funeral service and deathcare.
We welcome and invite women who have felt unseen, unsupported or pushed aside — and who are ready to invest in themselves and take action for their own growth.
You’ll benefit most if you:
- Are stepping into greater leadership responsibility and ready to build practical skills
- Want to rise — whether into management, ownership, or deeper influence where you are
- Are ready to strengthen communication and lead with clarity and confidence
- Have a mentor or boss who believes in you, or are ready to bet on yourself
You have a place here, within our Academy.
Program Details
The Women’s Leadership Academy Kickoff Experience launches the beginning of an 18-month journey with monthly virtual leadership sessions designed to support, challenge, and develop women across funeral service and deathcare.
The kickoff is in person; throughout the rest of program, meetings are held online.
18-Month Executive Leadership Experience
The Women’s Leadership Academy is an 18-month executive leadership experience built specifically for women in funeral service and deathcare. Through intentional leadership education, peer collaboration, and applied development, participants grow personally, professionally, and strategically while building meaningful relationships across the profession.
Best For: Emerging and established professionals committed to strengthening their leadership capacity and advancing women throughout funeral service and deathcare.
Format: In-person kickoff followed by monthly virtual leadership sessions, coaching experiences, and collaborative development activities
Kickoff: September 28, 2026, Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC
Duration: 18 months
Cost: $2,795
Payment options: Participants can choose to pay in full when they register, or pay 50% when they register and 50% by Aug. 31.
**When you register, you’ll also have the chance to register for the Unleashed Leadership and Wellness Summit.**
Scholarships Available
Scholarships for the Women’s Leadership Academy are available.
Scholarship applications are closed. New applications will be accepted next year.
In-Person Kickoff Experience at Wild Dunes Resort
Highlights of the kickoff experience include:
- Welcome and vision from Funeral Women Lead Founder & CEO Lisa Baue
- Leadership and future-focused opening remarks from Erin Wilson
- Program orientation and overview of the 18-month Academy journey
- Leadership Burnout Inventory and Emotional Load Mapping workshop led by Kristen Ernst
- Leadership identity reflection activities and small-group conversations
- Introduction to the Leadership Strategy Plan capstone project
- Networking lunch and peer connection opportunities
- Presentations from current Academy participants
- Vision Board Workshop: “Unleash the Leader Within”
- Leadership commitment sharing and closing reflection exercises
Throughout the day, participants will explore leadership identity, burnout and emotional load, long-term professional growth, and the power of community among women in the profession. Sessions are intentionally designed to blend leadership education with wellness, reflection, accountability, and meaningful connection.
The kickoff experience is designed to help participants begin building clarity around the leader they want to become – while also creating authentic relationships, support systems, and momentum that will carry throughout the Academy experience.
This is more than leadership training. It is a space for women in funeral service and deathcare to grow together, challenge outdated limitations, strengthen their voice, and build sustainable leadership pathways for the future of the profession.
September 27–28, 2026
Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC
Leadership Academy participants are invited to join us for the Women’s Wellness Summit Welcome Reception but will need to purchase a separate ticket to attend. Please email info@funeralwomenlead.org for more information.
Scholarships Available
Scholarships for the Women’s Leadership Academy are available.
Scholarship applications are closed. New applications will be accepted next year.
Full Agenda
Sunday, September 27, 2026
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Registration
Location: Boardwalk Inn Lobby
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Women’s Leadership Academy Welcome Reception
Location: Boardwalk Inn Clubroom
Mirror, Mirror: Who’s Ready to Lead?
The leader you’ve been looking for is looking right back at you.
Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and reflection as we welcome a new class of Women’s Leadership Academy Fellows and honor the Founding Fellows who helped pave the way. Enjoy a generous selection of appetizers, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, as you meet the women who will be part of your Academy journey and begin recognizing the strength, potential, and leadership already within you.
Choose an outfit that reflects your confidence, personality, and leadership style – whatever makes you look in the mirror and think, She’s ready.
7:30 PM
Optional Dine & Connect
Join your fellow Fellows for an optional evening of good food, great conversation, and continued connection. Dinner is not included in Academy registration, and each guest is responsible for the cost of her meal and beverages.
Monday, September 28, 2026 Unleash Your Leadership
7:15 – 8:00 AM
Registration & Full Breakfast Buffet
Location: Osprey Outdoor Terrace
Participants arrive, check in, receive materials, and begin connecting with fellow academy members. Then fuel up for a powerful day of learning and connection.
8:15 – 8:25 AM
Welcome & Introductions with Lisa Baue
Location: Osprey Ballroom 2 + 3
Founder Funeral Women Lead, Lisa Baue, welcomes participants to the Women’s Leadership Academy.
- Welcome to the Academy
- The vision behind Funeral Women Lead
- The importance of women supporting women in funeral service and deathcare
8:25 – 8:50
Graduation Recognition
8:50 – 10:00 AM
Academy Vision, Program Orientation and Overview
Facilitated by Erin Wilson, Senior Director of Education + Program Strategy
Topics:
- Why this program exists
- The future of women in funeral service and deathcare
- Expectations for the 18-month experience
- Leadership growth, wellness, and community
- The importance of vulnerability, courage, and connection
- “Why I Said Yes to This Experience” table introductions
- Program structure
- Live sessions and workshop expectations
- Coaching and accountability
- Community engagement expectations
- Overview of Leadership & Management Track
- Overview of Ownership Track
- Introduction to the Leadership Strategy Plan capstone
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Recharge Morning Break
Location: Osprey Foyer
Sponsored by Harper – Talasek Funeral Home
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Leadership Burnout Inventory & Emotional Load Mapping
Facilitated by Kristen Ernst, Funeral Women Lead Endorsed Wellness Professional
Topics:
- Emotional labor in funeral service and deathcare
- Compassion fatigue vs leadership fatigue
- Carrying emotional weight for staff, families, and communities
- Burnout patterns among women leaders
- Invisible leadership responsibilities
11:15 – 12:00 PM
Leadership Identity Reflection & Intro to the Leadership Strategy Plan
Location: Osprey Ballroom 2 + 3
Facilitated by Erin Wilson
Participants begin identifying:
- The leader they currently are
- The leader they want to become
- What has shaped them
- What leadership beliefs or behaviors may no longer serve them
Introduction to the Leadership Strategy Plan
Topics:
- What the capstone includes
- How participants will build it throughout the Academy
- Long-term leadership planning
- Personal growth goals
- Organizational impact goals
- Ownership vs. Leadership pathway focus areas
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Location: Osprey Outdoor Terrace
Women’s Leadership Academy participants join the Funeral Women Lead Board of Directors for a buffet lunch.
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Introduction to the Leadership Strategy Plan – Continued
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Founding Fellows Capstone Presentations
Facilitated by Kristen Ernst
2:00 – 4:00 PM
“The Becoming Box” & Leadership Commitments
Facilitated by Erin Wilson
Purpose:
Create a visual representation of the leader, woman, professional, and future participants want to build over the next 18 months.
Focus Areas:
- Leadership goals
- Wellness and balance
- Confidence & voice
- Career and business growth
- Financial goals
- Relationships and community
- Ownership aspirations
- Legacy and impact
Leadership Commitments
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Go Be the Plot Twist!
You do not have to become someone else to lead powerfully. The goal of this experience is to help you fully unleash who you already are.
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Free Time
Recharge before the Women’s Wellness Summit Opening Welcome Reception. Take time to rest, connect one-on-one with peers, explore the resort’s beautiful amenities, or enjoy a little pampering at the Spa at Sweetgrass. Funeral Women Lead participants receive 10% off spa services.
5:30 – 8:00 PM
Wellness Summit Welcome Reception
UNLEASHED!
Location: Indigo Rooftop
Kick off the Leadership + Wellness Summit with an evening of connection, celebration, and a little untamed confidence. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers, followed by a Carolina Lowcountry buffet, live music, fun activities, and a Champagne + Spritzer Wall – complete with a keepsake glass.
UNLEASHED: Wildly Capable is your invitation to show up in a way you don’t always get to – bold, confident, and unapologetically yourself.
If you want to have a little fun with your look, embrace animal prints, statement pieces, unexpected textures, or anything that makes you feel powerful. There are no costumes, dress codes, or expectations – just an opportunity to let a different side of yourself be seen.
Come as you are. Be open to who you’re becoming. And remember: That wildly capable woman already exists. This is where you let her out.
In partnership with Global Atlantic
With special thanks to Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, sponsor of our Champagne + Spritzer Wall
Leadership Academy participants are invited to the Summit Welcome Reception. Admission is included for Summit registrants. Academy-only participants must purchase a ticket if they have not already done so. Please see a Funeral Women Lead team member for assistance.
Erin M. Wilson, MS, CFSP
Erin M. Wilson serves as Senior Director of Education + Program Strategy for Funeral Women Lead, where she leads the development of leadership education, professional development initiatives, and strategic programming designed to support and elevate women across funeral service and deathcare.
A licensed funeral director and embalmer, Erin began her journey in funeral service as a student at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, later returning to serve as faculty member, Academic Dean, Program Director, and ultimately President — becoming the first female president in the institution’s 85-year history.
With a background that blends funeral service, education, and executive leadership, Erin brings a strategic and growth-focused approach to the Women’s Leadership Academy. Her work centers on creating meaningful leadership pathways, mentorship opportunities, and transformative learning experiences that equip women with the confidence, competence, and voice to lead within the profession and help shape its future.
Kristen Ernst, MA, LPC
Kristen Ernst, MA, LPC is the Owner and Clinical Director of the Center for Hope & Healing. Kristen specializes in grief, bereavement, trauma recovery, and mental health support.
Kristen has been an important part of the Women’s Leadership Academy, previously teaching within the program, leading group sessions, and providing one-on-one coaching focused on resilience, emotional wellness, and personal growth. In her continued role with Funeral Women Lead, she supports women in strengthening their resilience and leading with empathy and confidence.
* Kristen’s participation in Funeral Women Lead is educational and coaching-based in nature. Although she is a Licensed Professional Counselor, services provided through Funeral Women Lead do not constitute counseling, therapy, or mental health treatment, and they do not establish a therapist-client relationship. Any additional services pursued with Kristen are separate from Funeral Women Lead and must be arranged independently.
Event Highlights
Meet the people coming together to unleash the power of women in the deathcare and funeral profession. Our team is composed of dedicated advocates from inside and out of the deathcare profession, who bring decades of experience in their fields to ensure our women get the support they need.
Sign Up
Get on the early-bird list to receive registration information and updates about our Wellness Summit.
Women’s Leadership Academy
Program Structure
An 18-month comprehensive leadership experience built for women in funeral service who are ready to lead at every level.
Leadership curriculum modules
Virtual learning sessions
Peer leadership pods
Six individual executive coaching sessions
Capstone Leadership Strategy Plan
per month — including live sessions, readings, reflection assignments, and leadership application exercises
Women’s Leadership Academy
Three Leadership Phases
Lead Yourself
Executive self-leadership & sustainability
- Leadership assessments & executive coaching
- Confidence, authority, and leadership identity
- Emotional regulation & crisis leadership
- Boundaries, burnout prevention & sustainability
- Energy management & work-life integration
- Personal leadership philosophy development
Lead the Business
Operational & organizational leadership
- Financial foundations & business literacy
- Leadership vs. ownership pathways
- Staff leadership & workplace culture
- Conflict management & communication
- Operational efficiency & workforce strategy
- Growth planning & market positioning
Choose your pathway
Lead the Profession
Strategic influence & industry leadership
- Governance & board leadership
- Public speaking & thought leadership
- Advocacy & legislative engagement
- Growth & multi-location strategy
- Mentorship & leadership legacy
- Final capstone presentation & graduation
Women’s Leadership Academy
Monthly Leadership Themes
Eighteen months of structured curriculum, organized across three leadership phases.
- 01Program launch & leadership assessment
- 02Executive confidence & leadership identity
- 03Emotional regulation & crisis leadership
- 04Strategic boundaries & sustainable leadership
- 05Energy management & personal sustainability
- 06Personal leadership philosophy
- 07Funeral home financial foundations
- 08Track-specific leadership curriculum
- 09Advanced leadership or ownership strategy
- 10Operational efficiency & strategic decision-making
- 11Growth strategy & market positioning
- 12Midpoint leadership strategy review
- 13Governance & board leadership
- 14Public speaking & thought leadership
- 15Advocacy & legislative engagement
- 16Acquisition & multi-location strategy
- 17Leadership legacy & mentorship
- 18Capstone presentation & graduation
Women’s Leadership Academy
Executive Coaching
Experience
Throughout the Academy, participants receive six individualized executive coaching sessions designed to provide personalized leadership support, accountability, and strategic guidance.
Coaching conversations help participants navigate leadership challenges, strengthen decision-making confidence, refine professional goals, and apply Academy concepts directly to their real-world leadership experiences.
Coaching areas include
- Leadership growth & operational advancement
- Ownership goals & business strategy
- Workplace dynamics & team leadership
- Greater professional influence & visibility
Women’s Leadership Academy
Capstone Leadership Strategy Plan
Throughout the 18-month experience, participants develop a personalized Leadership Strategy Plan that brings together everything learned across all three phases into a living document they own and carry forward.
Your plan includes
Leadership sustainability framework
Boundaries, energy, and habits to lead for the long run
Business or ownership strategy
Operational and financial direction tailored to your track
Organizational leadership development
A plan for building and leading high-performing teams
Professional involvement & visibility plan
Thought leadership, advocacy, and community presence
3–5 year leadership roadmap
A clear, actionable path forward from graduation
Women’s Leadership Academy Partners
Scholarship Partner
Garment Partner
In-Kind Sponsor
Academy Reception
Refreshment Sponsor
Organizational Partners
Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey
Ready to grow, lead, and make a difference? Join the Funeral Women Lead Leadership Academy and connect with a community of ambitious women dedicated to professional excellence and personal transformation. Register now to secure your place in this transformative program.