The Emboldly Fellowship: Empowering Early-Career Women to Lead, Thrive, and Connect
The Emboldly Fellowship is a four-month hybrid program designed to empower early-career women and nonbinary professionals with the foundational skills, confidence, and community needed to thrive in the workplace. By blending professional training with mentorship and peer support, the Fellowship equips participants to take charge of their careers and grow into the leaders they aspire to be.
Program Overview
- Application opens: October 15, 2025
- Application deadline: December 1, 2025
- Acceptance notifications: December 31, 2025
- Fellowship begins: January 24, 2026
- Duration: Four months
- Format: Hybrid (bi-weekly virtual sessions + optional in-person meetups)
- Cost: Free for accepted fellows (with a refundable $50 completion retainer)
The 2026 Emboldly Fellowship brings together a cohort of 60–80 emerging professionals for bi-weekly, two-hour sessions that combine practical skill-building with real-world insights from industry leaders.
Purpose and Mission
Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership across industries, often lacking access to mentorship and resources early in their careers. The Emboldly Fellowship exists to bridge this gap by creating a supportive, inclusive environment where women can:
- Build confidence and self-advocacy skills.
- Learn directly from accomplished professionals across sectors.
- Connect with peers who share their ambition and challenges.
- Develop the tools needed to succeed and lead with purpose.
Learning Experience
The Fellowship’s curriculum is curated by working professionals from diverse fields including consulting, finance, media, and technology. Sessions are designed to be actionable, interactive, and relevant to real workplace experiences.
Fellows Will:
Learn
Gain essential professional and interpersonal skills from experienced mentors.
Topics include:
- Self-advocacy and effective communication
- Building confidence and presence in the workplace
- Negotiation and boundary-setting
- Career planning and personal branding
- Work-life balance and relationship alignment
Grow
Through reflection, mentorship, and guided exercises, fellows will:
- Identify personal strengths and values
- Develop resilience and emotional intelligence
- Clarify long-term goals and a sense of purpose
- Build leadership skills to advance confidently in their careers
Connect
Fellows join a global network of women committed to mutual growth. The community fosters:
- Peer mentorship and collaboration
- Shared learning across cultures and industries
- Lifelong professional relationships and opportunities
Diversity and Impact
The Emboldly Fellowship is proud to represent a diverse and global community of women.
2025 Admit Profile
- 93% Women of color
- 55% First-generation professionals
- 47% From low-income backgrounds
- 70+ Represented companies
- 30 Represented countries
- 17% Acceptance rate
This diversity enriches every session, bringing together unique voices and perspectives that reflect the realities of modern workplaces.
Voices from the Community
“I’m so impressed by what Emboldly has created. This is exactly what we need — I often talk about the importance of helping women climb the corporate ladder to improve the ratio of women to men in leadership.”
— Katie Welch, Chief Marketing Officer, Rare Beauty
“Especially as I enter the job market, Emboldly feels like the ninth semester I never had. The opportunity to sharpen my communication, negotiation, and leadership skills while learning from accomplished women across industries is invaluable.”
— Cynthia Anaba, Spring 2025 Emboldly Fellow
Eligibility and Qualifications
Ideal candidates are early-career women or nonbinary professionals with 0–3 years of full-time work experience who are:
- Passionate about leadership and professional growth.
- Eager to build foundational skills for career success.
- Able to attend bi-weekly sessions and engage actively in group discussions.
- Committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and community in the workplace.
- Aligned with Emboldly’s mission of empowering women in leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the $50 retainer cover?
A: The retainer is collected only after acceptance and is fully refunded upon successful completion of the program. Fee waivers are available and do not affect candidacy.
Q: Can fellows work full-time while participating?
A: Yes. Sessions are bi-weekly on Saturdays (10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET), with flexible asynchronous activities in between.
Q: What if I can’t attend every session?
A: Fellows must attend at least 7 out of 8 sessions with cameras on. Exceptions may be made for emergencies with advance notice.
Q: Is the Fellowship open to college students?
A: The program primarily targets post-graduation professionals, but full-time students preparing for career transitions are welcome to apply.
Q: What industries are represented?
A: All industries — from healthcare and policy to design, media, and technology. Leadership skills are universal.
Q: Is the program global?
A: Yes. The Fellowship is fully virtual, with fellows from over 30 countries and optional in-person meetups in cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Austin, Dallas, and Toronto.
Q: What happens after the program?
A: Graduates join the Emboldly Alumni Network, an active Slack community with continued access to events, resources, and professional connections.
Key Dates
- October 7: Information Session
- October 15: Application Opens
- December 1: Application Deadline
- December 31: Acceptance Notifications
- January 9: Retainer Fees Due
- January 24: Fellowship Start
Contact
- General Inquiries: [email protected]
- Partnerships & Media: [email protected]
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Applications for the 2026 Emboldly Fellowship open on October 15, 2025.
Join a global community of women redefining leadership — and empowering one another to rise, together.
→ Submit Your Application
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
