About Us

Our Background

In 2012, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) reconvened its Task Force on Women in the Profession to assess progress since its original formation in 1976. The goal: to determine whether more women were rising to top executive roles in local government. By 2014, ICMA reported that only 14.4% of Chief Administrative Officers were women, highlighting a clear call to action.

That call was answered in 2017, when the idea for a leadership academy took shape at the Washington City/County Managers Association (WCMA) Summer Conference. In a packed room filled with energy and commitment, volunteers from across Washington State enthusiastically said “YES!” to transforming a concept into a movement.

That spark ignited the launch of the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy (NWWLA), which welcomed its inaugural cohort in September 2017. Since then, the academy has grown steadily:

• Cohort 1: Graduated in June 2019

• Cohort 2: Graduated in March 2021 (after a strategic pause and pivot)

• Cohort 3: Graduated in May 2022 (virtually)

• Cohort 4: Graduated in March 2023

• Cohort 5: Graduated in March 2024

• Cohort 6: Graduated in March 2025
  
  

Today, over 200 accomplished NWWLA alumni are shaping the future of public service, ready to lead and supported by a statewide network of peers and mentors.  With 36 more participants currently in the pipeline for Cohort 7 and scheduled to graduate in spring of 2026, that network continues to expand.

NWWLA is more than a leadership program. It’s a movement to elevate women into executive roles and build gender-balanced management teams that make organizations more effective, inclusive, and resilient.

Together, we’re creating a future where leadership reflects the diversity and strength of our communities.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact us at admin@nwwla.org.