53 women competitively selected to explore

LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D., National President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, has been selected to join an elite network of more than 5,000 women as a member of the Leadership America Class of 2012.

"Dr. Nealon-Woods is one of over 50 outstanding women leaders competitively selected from across the nation to participate in the longest-running women's leadership development program in the U.S.  Throughout the year-long program, she will have the opportunity to broaden her perspective and enhance her recognized leadership skills as the program visits three of our nation's key cities. Each city's agenda will feature some of our nation's key decision-makers and future-forward thinkers who will provide our participants cutting-edge information to inform their professional and community leadership for years to come," said Martha P. Farmer, Founding and Executive Director of Leadership America, now in its 25th consecutive year. 

Dr. Nealon-Woods began her career in clinical psychology in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to the United States in 1994, where she worked with adolescents in group homes and foster care for over six years.  An alumna of The Chicago School's doctoral program in Clinical Psychology and recipient of The Chicago School's 2006 Distinguished Teaching Award in the area of public service teaching, she was a faculty member and chair of the program at the Chicago Campus before moving to California in 2008.  Since becoming President of The Chicago School in July 2010, Dr. Nealon-Woods has led the development of new and innovative programs, shaped a forward-thinking strategic plan that positions the school as a national institution with global reach, and presided over the opening of a highly successful new campus in Washington, D.C. 

Launched in 1988 as the first nationwide program for women's leadership development, Leadership America is patterned after its sister program, Leadership Texas, and is run by the Texas-based Women's Resources.  "We are excited to have Leadership America back under the umbrella of Women's Resources" said Candace O'Keefe Mathis, CEO of Women's Resources.  "Leadership America was started by our founders to allow women leaders the ability to expand their grasp and influence on the issues surrounding our nation and the globe."

The theme for the 2012 program year is 'Leading Into the Future…Changing the World for the Better.' "Participants will visit Washington D.C., San Francisco and Houston where each city's opportunities and challenges will illuminate the participants' knowledge and stretch their visions as they consider the future for America as a global leader; the future for national and global consensus; and the future for global business and the economy," Martha Farmer added.

"We consider it a privilege to assemble these influential women leaders from a broad diversity of professional and personal backgrounds and provide them opportunities to consider new modes of listening; to seek new perspectives; and to imagine new collaborations that will provide new solutions to the challenges of today's interconnected global society. We recognize it is necessary for today's successful leaders to understand the cultural, social and economic shifts confronting all nations. The Leadership America experience informs, influences and inspires these women leaders to shape the future of our evolving nation and ever-changing world."

Through the generous contributions of the Leadership America Program Partners, the program continues to provide the most up-to-date information on leadership and issues affecting our nation. Corporate Program Partners providing financial support for Leadership Texas 2012 include the General Motors Foundation and State Farm.

"Program Partners provide more than financial support for the program; their women leaders also participate in Leadership America to build connections for the benefit of the entire nation," Martha Farmer said.

Women's Resources
Leadership America is a program of Women's Resources (WR). Established in Austin, Texas, in 1974, Women's Resources seeks to advance the power of leadership and legacy through programs that connect, inspire, empower and honor women. Through its flagship program, Leadership Texas, founded in 1983, Women's Resources' began its mission to build bridges and opportunities for women.  WR helped in the creation of complementary women's programs in California, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina, among others.  WR also established the nation's first comprehensive women's history museum, The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in association with the Smithsonian Institution in 2000. Since 1996, WR has been offering a series of national retreats for emerging women leaders called Power Pipeline.  In 2009, WR launched new globally focused programming under its newly acquired banner, Leadership International, the Sandy Tyler Regional Series and Leadership Short Courses for the 21st Century.

Media Contact:
Pamela B. Owens, Director of Creativity
Office: (512) 989-7950
Email: pam.owens@womensresources.org

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology