Advanced Leadership Noncredit Certificate
Grow, Develop &
Thrive
Designed for women looking to take the next step in their leadership journey.
Get immersed in topics that will help you navigate your career and working environment to grow as a leader. Learn guiding principles, explore, collaborate and takeaway confidence-building skills. Advance your leadership skills through robust conversations, interactive sessions and networking opportunities with women across a wide range of industries and experiences.
Our Certificate At a GlancE
Find out more about the Advanced Leadership Noncredit Certificate. If cost is a barrier to registering, please apply for financial support.
Dates
Green Bay & Appleton Cohorts
Sept. 2025-Feb. 4. 2026
Six sessions are required to complete the certificate
Location
Your classes will be online study and in-person instruction on the Green Bay campus and in Appleton at Werner Electric.
Investment
Certificate $1,999
Members receive a discounted rate $1,699
Engaging Sessions
Tailor the program to suit your professional development needs.
You will cultivate critical thinking, vital for effective leadership development. Your commitment to courses or certificate will demonstrate your readiness for increased responsibility while you build a network of support with like-minded women. You may sign up for individual sessions to address a skills gap, or you can complete any six sessions and submit a capstone project to earn the certificate and digital badge.
Approximately 30 minutes of online reading, reflection and discussion is expected outside of class time. All in-person sessions will be held 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the UW-Green Bay campus and at Werner Electric in Appleton.
Leading from Behind & Managing Up
Instructor: Deidre Martinez
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Leading from behind" and "managing up" are two leadership concepts that emphasize different aspects of leadership styles and strategies. In this session we will explore both as a way to develop your role as a leader in providing resources, guidance and a conducive environment for teams to succeed.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Register
Executive Presence
Instructor: Kristin Bock
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Executive presence" is a term that's often used and sought after but is consider magical and elusive. Professional presence is critical, but it doesn't need to be mysterious. Executive presence is a skill not a trait — happily this means it's something you can cultivate and build. In this four-hour workshop, we'll be breaking down the essential traits to inspire confidence and trust in both yourself and colleagues by assessing five areas of influence: first impressions, presence, perceptiveness, leadership and charisma. Presence and leadership start by looking inward so get read to do some self-reflection and consider other people's perceptions of who you are as a leader. Body language, charisma and relatability will be discussed.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Register
Leader as Coach: Leading with a Development Mindset
Instructor: Melissa Borowicz & Nicole Smith
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Optimize your skills, knowledge, and experience to help others enhance theirs by utilizing development-focused tools. Intentionally invest in your people. Participants will learn how to shift their approach to become effective coaches and teachers.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Register
The Mindful Leader: Driving Change & Connection in Organizations
Instructor: Charm Der
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This is an essential course designed to equip leaders with the skills and strategies needed to effectively manage and lead change within their organizations. This course focuses on understanding the dynamics of change, developing a change management plan, and leading teams through transitions with confidence and resilience.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Register
Leading with Grit & Grace
Instructor: April Johnson
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Female leaders who are tough and assertive are often labeled as aggressive, while those who lead with compassion and approachability risk being seen as weak. But true leadership success comes from embracing both grit and grace—not only in how we lead others but also in how we treat ourselves. Grit fuels persistence, confidence and the courage to break barriers, while grace fosters emotional intelligence, collaboration and the ability to inspire others. When leaders master this balance, they build thriving teams, drive meaningful change and leave lasting legacies of strength and empathy. Participants will learn how to lead with confidence, set boundaries without guilt, and inspire others while staying true to their values—while also extending grace to themselves, recognizing that resilience includes rest, self-compassion, and growth. By the end, they'll walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and practical strategies to lead with both strength and compassion.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Register
Strategic Planning for Leaders
Instructor: Laurie Butz
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Strategy is important in life and business. Explore models and real-life examples of current state analysis and strategic planning that can be applied to any situation or organization, including nonprofit or for-profit. Explore the differences between short-range, long-range, tactical and dynamic plans that can adapt to changing environments. Raise the bar on results with stronger strategic planning.
Green Bay Cohort: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Register
Appleton Cohort: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Register
Registering for the Complete Certificate
When registering for the complete Advanced Leadership Certificate, please select the "register for certificate" option and then make your choice of six classes. You must complete six sessions and submit a capstone project in order to earn the certificate and receive the digital badge.
Instructors
Melissa Borowicz
CEO & Owner, The Utech GroupSince 2004, Melissa Borowicz has worked with companies to define their corporate culture while helping leaders maximize their management teams and their people. Melissa brings an understanding of how relational barriers limit personal and company growth, and provide practical solutions that add value at each phase of the process.
Kristin Bock
Certified Body Language SpecialistKristin Bock holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She has more than 25 years of non-profit experience in the caregiving field and has worked in a variety of positions including a Live-in Manager at a group home, Management Supervisor, Human Resources Specialist and Staff Development Coordinator. For 17 years, she was an Employee Trainer, and it is in this position where she became aware of the true power of body language.
Laurie Butz
President & CEO, Capital Credit UnionLaurie Butz has over 34 years in business and financial services experience. She has held senior leadership roles in HR, Organizational Development, Training, Sales Administration, Investments, Insurance Services and Business Development. Her commitment to community has been demonstrated through Board Chair roles for YMCA Fox Cities and United Way Fox Cities as well as through management oversight of the Fox Cities Marathon. Laurie has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Chief Executive (CCE) and Six Sigma Green Belt.
Charm Der
Vice President of Human Resources, Family Services of Northeast WisconsinFounder, Get to Gather
Charm Der is a DEI strategist and social impact advocate with over a decade of experience. Charm is energized by community activism, helping others to bridge the gap between awareness and DEI action, and building organizational and community cultures where diversity, equity, inclusion and justice flourish. She holds a master's degree in Education and obtained her Diversity & Inclusion certificate from Cornell University. She serves on the advisory board of the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership.
April Johnson
Coach/Facilitator, DignifyApril Johnson is an experienced leader and educator, passionate about empowering women to embrace their unique leadership styles. With a deep belief in the power of resilience and compassion, she brings both grit and grace to every leadership challenge. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing dynamic, thoughtful leaders who excel in complex, fast-paced environments.
Deidre Martinez
Chief Executive Officer, Sheboygan Chamber of CommerceDeidre is responsible for building relationships throughout the county with business owners, leadership and decision makers, to assist in bridging the gap between commerce and the community at large. She also works with prospective and current business members to ensure they understand the benefits and resources available to them through Chamber membership.
Nicole Smith
Senior Consultant, The Utech GroupNicole Smith is the Senior Consultant with The Utech Group. With over 15 years of experience working with organizations across the country, she has a true passion for seeing people for who they are and engaging with them to create change and growth. Nicole has worked with employees at every level of an organization across several industries on leadership, team development, culture integration, and transitions. She also has extensive experience interviewing and hiring talent for cultural fit.
Sheri Treu
Director, Organizational Development, Menasha CorporationSheri has more than 20 years of human resources and organizational development experience. Most recently, she had been, focusing on implementing culture change at the Menasha Corporation. Sheri is a certified Professional in Human Resources and a Professional Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is finalizing her master’s degree in Organizational Development.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Upon successful completion of all sessions and capstone, you will receive an exclusive UW-Green Bay credential, a digital badge validating your accomplishment and signaling to employers your mastery of the curriculum. The digital badge can be featured on LinkedIn, your resume, email signature and website.
Our Course Surveys Say it All
“Great insight to various aspects of body language that can help me to be perceived as more confident and professional."
Have Questions?
Need more info on the Advanced Leader Certificate? We’re here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership with questions or for more information about the certificate program. Your advanced leadership journey begins now.