100 Women Pathway’s Cohort Meets in Atlanta
From October 21-24, 18 rising women leaders from environmental organizations across the Southeast are gathering in Atlanta for a unique kind of leadership program. It’s called the 100 Women Pathway, and it’s designed to rapidly increase the number of diverse women in senior roles at environmental organizations and environmental public agencies.
Janet Nguyen, Senior Vice President of the 100 Women Pathway says, “What I’ve learned from meeting all of these women in the Pathway is that there’s such a need for this community. They’re not used to asking for help; they’re used to being alone. The real sense of support that comes from these connections is profoundly transformative.”
The 100 Women Pathway is a leadership program that aims to amplify the voices of women and other underrepresented groups in the conservation and environmental sector. In the largest US-based conservation nonprofits, more than 80% of CEOs are White men and more than 60% of staff are White. Diverse leadership and gender equity will enable more effective, equitable solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis. And it is crucial for the prevailing leadership style to become more inclusive, collaborative and attuned to the needs of local communities—another key aspect of the 100 Women Pathway’s programming.
The participants in cohort 4 represent ecologists, fundraisers, community organizers, educators, foresters, and marketers, who work at nature conservation nonprofits, international NGOs, research organizations, and community groups. They also reflect the diversity of the U.S. Southeast, with 61% of the women identifying as Black and 88% identifying as People of Color. At the gathering, participants will spend three days exploring their unique personal journeys, leadership styles, and career goals, learning from career coaches and creative facilitators, and bonding with each other in a supportive community.
A dynamic panel of women CEOs will share their wisdom and experience. The panelists include:
Dr. Tiara Moore, CEO, Black in Marine Science (BIMS)
Monica Thorton, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter
Raina Turner-Greenlea, Founder & Executive Director, Black Sustainability
Pictured left to right: Dr. Tiara Moore, Monica Thornton, Raina Turner-Greelea.
The 100 Women Pathway was conceived by Planet Women, a startup nonprofit that invests in women-focused, women-led solutions to the environmental crisis. This event in Atlanta marks the beginning of the fourth cohort of the 100 Women Pathway, which means 64 women have participated in this leadership experience—more than halfway to Planet Women’s goal of supporting 100 rising women leaders in the environmental sector.
This year’s cohort has been supported by Re:wild, a global nonprofit with a singular focus on the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and human wellbeing crises. “Re:wild celebrates and recognizes the pivotal role women play in conservation and their unique position to influence positive conservation outcomes actively and effectively,” said Nina Hadley, Senior Director of Guardians at Re:wild, which is supporting the Atlanta cohort. “We join Planet Women in recognizing the professional, personal, and societal challenges that Black and Women of Color face when working in conservation and how access to resources, learning opportunities, role models, and professional networks are critical for transforming the way women will be leading into the future.”
Zoom kickoff of cohort 4 of the 100 Women Pathway. We look forward to being together in-person on October 21-24 in Atlanta! © Planet Women.
The three-day gathering in Atlanta is just one part of the 100 Women Pathway, which blends virtual and in-person learning over a transformative eight-month journey that helps women recognize that they are the leaders that the movement needs today. The program includes personal discovery, peer mentorship, 1:1 and group coaching, and networking with executive leaders and recruiters.
By fostering inclusivity and representation, Planet Women aims to transform the organizational cultures within the environmental movement. This program brings together women who are already making significant strides in the environmental space, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and connections needed to advance their careers and amplify their impact. Christiana DeBenedict, Director of Environmental Initiatives for the San Diego Foundation and a participant in the Pathway’s third cohort, shared about her experience in the program: “This is an investment that will have far-reaching impact. It won’t happen overnight. It’s really needed in this space.”
Since the program's inception in 2022, 10 alumni have advanced into senior positions, enhancing their capacity to address pressing environmental challenges. This year, we introduced another level of ongoing support for the Pathway alumni with the launch of Coaching Circles to meet the expressed needs of the Pathway alumni. These group coaching sessions are facilitated by skilled coaches and are designed to foster skill-building and peer support among Pathway alumni. Focus areas for the 2023 circles included:
An identity-based circle for Black women leaders
Navigating difficult conversations
Quitting Hard Things, and
Working effectively with boards of directors.
The 100 Women Pathway is a powerful movement for women leaders ready to make a lasting impact on our planet. Additional support for 100 Women Pathway comes from the generosity of individual donors and the Maxwell/ Hanrahan Foundation. You can meet the 100 Women Pathway cohort members here.
About Planet Women
Founded in 2020, Planet Women connects and resources women across the environmental movement—from CEOs of international NGOs to grassroots organizers. Our mission is to partner with women to create a healthy planet for the benefit of all life. We focus on two key strategies: Transforming the Culture of Conservation and Protecting Nature and Supporting Communities. Through targeted programs designed to create systemic change and investments in on-the-ground environmental solutions, we have mobilized over $4.5 million in support over the last four years. Our commitment ensures that all women—regardless of their backgrounds—have the resources, skills, and support needed to develop solutions for a healthier planet.
It’s important to define how Planet Women uses the word “women.” Our definition includes cisgender women, femme/feminine identifying, Two-Spirit, trans, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals who have historically been excluded from the environmental space.
About Re:wild
Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies, and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org.