Women's Leadership Academy:
Lead the Way You Were Meant To
The Women’s Leadership Academy is an 18-month structured leadership development program for women in funeral service and deathcare, led by Women’s Leadership Academy Dean Kristen Ernst, MA, LPC, and Erin Wilson, Senior Director of Education and Program Strategy.
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.
The Women Who Benefit Most
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 evelate 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 Funeral Women Lead Women’s Leadership Academy is a structured leadership development experience created specifically to support and advance women in funeral service and deathcare. This program was designed to develop the next generation of confident, capable, and strategic leaders across the profession.
The Academy brings together emerging and established professionals who are committed to strengthening their leadership capacity while supporting the advancement of women throughout funeral service and deathcare. Through intentional leadership education, peer collaboration, and applied leadership development, participants gain the tools to lead with confidence, credibility, and strategic influence in every stage of their career.
Designed as a transformational experience rather than a traditional leadership course, the Academy combines executive-level leadership development with practical application specific to the realities of funeral service and deathcare. Fellows are challenged to grow personally, professionally, and strategically while building meaningful relationships with women across the profession.
The Academy officially launches with an in-person kickoff experience at Wild Dunes Resort on September 28, 2026. Following the kickoff, the remainder of the program is delivered through monthly virtual leadership sessions, coaching experiences, and collaborative leadership development activities designed to support busy professionals across the country.
In-Person Kickoff Experience at Wild Dunes Resort
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.
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
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.
Full Agenda
Sunday, September 27, 2026
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Women’s Leadership Academy Welcome Reception
Location: Boardwalk Inn Clubroom or Resort Outlets
Monday, September 28, 2026
Participants arrive, check in, receive materials, and begin connecting with fellow academy members.
7:15 – 8:00 AM
Full Breakfast Buffet
Location: Osprey outdoor Terrace
Fuel up for a powerful day of learning and connection.
8:15 – 8:50 AM
Welcome & Introductions with Lisa Baue & Erin Wilson
Founder Funeral Women Lead, Lisa Baue, welcomes participants to the Women’s Leadership Academy. Erin Wilson leads introductions and gives an overview of the day, and the academy.
9:40 AM – 10:40 AM
Leadership Inventory
Location: Osprey Ballroom 2
Led by Kristen Ernst
10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Leadership Identity Reflection Session
Location: Osprey Ballroom 2
Led by Erin Wilson
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Introduction to Leadership Strategy Planning
Location: Osprey Ballroom 2
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Location: Osprey Outdoor Terrace
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Cohort Presentations
Location: Osprey 1
1:45 – 4:00 PM
Unleash the Leader Within: Vision Board Exercise
Location: Osprey 1
Led by Erin Wilson
4:15 – 4:30 PM
Closing and Send Off
Location: Osprey 1
Led by Erin Wilson
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Free Time
Recharge before the evening’s Women’s Wellness Summit Opening Welcome Reception. Take time to rest, connect one-on-one with peers, or enjoy the resort’s beautiful amenities.
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Event: Leadership & Wellness Summit Welcome Reception (Optional*) – UNLEASHED!
Location: Indigo Rooftop
Staying for the Summit or want to socialize before you head out? Join in an evening of connection and community under the Charleston sky. Meet fellow participants, exchange stories, and prepare for two days of inspiration and wellness.
Attendance is included for all Wellness Summit attendees. Academy participants will need to purchase a separate ticket when you register online to attend.
Leadership Academy participants are invited to join us for the Women’s Wellness Summit Welcome Reception but will need to purchase a separate ticket during online registration to attend.
Please email info@funeralwomenlead.org for more information.
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, LPC, serves as a Funeral Women Lead Endorsed Wellness Professional. As the Owner and Operator of the Center for Hope and Healing, LLC, Kristen specializes in grief, bereavement, trauma recovery, and mental health support. She has developed aftercare and grief support programs for funeral homes across the country and has presented nationally within the funeral service, hospice, and bereavement care professions.
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, leading with empathy and confidence, and navigating the emotional realities of serving others in funeral service and deathcare.
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.
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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.