Support the Women's Leadership Accelerator
Accelerate the women and nonbinary leaders shaping journalism's future.
ONA's Women's Leadership Accelerator has advanced 250+ women and nonbinary leaders in digital journalism since 2015. This September, the 26 members of the 2026 cohort will gather in Boston for an intensive in-person week to kick off their intensive four-month program. With lead funding from the Dow Jones Foundation in place, we're seeking supporters to open that week to everyone selected — funding scholarships, travel and the gatherings that turn a cohort into a lifelong network.
with the Tiffany Shackelford FoundationThe program
The Women's Leadership Accelerator (WLA) pairs each cohort with mentors and coaches from the top of digital media across four months, anchored by the intensive in-person week. Led by ONA's Meghan Murphy and Kathy Lu, it has graduated more than 250 leaders since 2015 — now working as executive editors, producers, founders and independent journalists around the world. Tuition is held at just $1,000 so cost is never the reason a great leader stays home, which is exactly where supporters come in.
Learn more about the WLA program. | Email Hanaa Rifaey to discuss support opportunities.
Why support
Proven impact. Since 2015, more than 250 alumnae have gone on to lead newsrooms worldwide — a track record few leadership programs in journalism can match.
Access, not just admission. Tuition is kept low by design, but travel and lodging for the Boston week put participation out of reach for many. Your support closes that gap.
ONA's mission, embodied. WLA is adaptive leadership in action — exactly the work ONA exists to do for the field.
In respected company. Stand alongside the Dow Jones Foundation in backing women's and nonbinary leadership in journalism.
Ways to support
Scholarship Fund
Open a seat for a leader who couldn't otherwise attend.
- Fund a selected participant's tuition and full place in the four-month program
- Reach leaders from under-resourced, local and global newsrooms
- Pair with a travel stipend to cover the full cost of taking part
- Recognition in WLA materials and to the cohort
Travel Stipends
Get every selected leader to Boston.
- Cover travel and lodging for the in-person kickoff week, Sept 15–18
- Remove the barrier that keeps talented leaders from accepting their place
- Fund one participant or a block of the cohort
Cohort Meals
Feed the cohort during the in-person week.
- Sponsor a breakfast, lunch or dinner for the full cohort in Boston
- The shared meals where a cohort becomes a lifelong network
- Opportunity to connect with the cohort while being recognized at the meal and in WLA materials
Cohort Events
Bring the cohort together.
- Sponsor a welcome reception, evening gathering or closing celebration
- The connective moments that make WLA's community last for years
- Opportunity to connect with the cohort while being recognized at the event and in WLA materials
In good company: Your support joins lead funder the Dow Jones Foundation and the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation. Every gift can be tailored to your goals and is recognized in WLA materials. Figures shown are starting points — let's shape a package together.