The Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program 2026 for Emerging Women Leaders

Reach us on

Applications are open for The Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program 2026. The VV Visionaries program in partnership with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund (ELELF), the charitable fund of Estée Lauder, was created to support the next generation of emerging leaders who are redefining leadership in their everyday lives.

A signature program supporting women visionaries who are shaping the future they wish to see, the perception of what defines a leader, and what it takes to become a leader – in their own way.

The VV Visionaries program invests in trailblazing women by increasing their access to leadership training and the networks that sustain them. Together with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, this signature program will champion women leaders across diverse sectors, industries, and experiences who want to create positive social impact in their communities and beyond.

Three cohorts of 50 women visionaries over the age of 18 will participate in a 7-week immersive virtual experience built on the proven leadership model of Vital Voices, incorporating lessons in leadership from Estée Lauder executives and Vital Voices Global Network leaders.

Participants from all three cohorts will have the chance to be selected for one annual in-person experience that provides deeper training and investment in their personal leadership journeys.

Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program Benefits

VV Visionaries program participants will:

Join a cohort of 50 women leaders committed to advancing their leadership for the greater good.
Complete the Vital Voices Leadership Journey, a 7-week virtual leadership development course based on learnings from over 25 years of work with leaders from across the world.
Participate in interactive small-group discussions and peer learning
Learn from guest speakers including Estée Lauder executives and Vital Voices network.
Share, learn, and build lasting connections with a cohort of 50 leaders from across the world.

Through the program, participants will:

Gain a stronger understanding of what drives their leadership; gain a deeper awareness of how to lead inclusive communities; and embrace taking bold actions to create a lasting impact.
Join the Vital Voices global network of more than 47,000 women leaders from around the world with full access to our network Hub with ongoing continuing education and engagement opportunities.
After the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Eligibility Criteria for Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program

You identify as a woman
You will be 18 years old by May 2026
You are proficient in English
You are the founder or co-founder of a social sector organization (NGO, foundation, social impact initiative) OR
You are the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise (for profit business with explicit social impact)
You are currently not participating in or have graduated from another Vital Voices leadership program in 2025 or 2026.

Selection Criteria

The Vital Voices Visionaries program seeks to identify and support exceptional women leaders who have bold ideas and are driving meaningful change. We are not simply selecting résumés — we are selecting community-informed leaders with a clear purpose that make a difference.

Community-Based Leadership: Demonstrates a commitment to positive community impact and a desire to pay it forward.
Innovative Problem Solving: Challenges the status quo and explores new approaches to address community needs.
Track Record of Action: Shows tangible evidence of initiatives, projects, or measurable steps toward change.
Commitment to Community Engagement: Eager to contribute to and remain engaged with the Vital Voices alumni network beyond the program experience.
Potential for Impact: Leader with the potential to drive their vision forward, creating a multiplier effect in their community or sector with the support of Vital Voices and its network.

Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program Commitment

Participants are expected to:

Actively participate during all 7 live weekly virtual sessions on Thursday mornings (2 hours each), plus an additional 1-2 hours per work for assignments and peer calls/discussions (3-4 hours weekly).
- Participants should have no more than 2 absences to remain in good standing.
Complete surveys throughout the program and for up to one year after program completion, including a needs assessment survey, post-session surveys, a post-program survey, and a 12-month follow-up survey.
Remain engaged with the Vital Voices network upon graduation.

Technical Requirements and Accessibility:

The VV Visionaries program will be virtual. You will need access to a computer with a camera or a phone and a reliable internet or network connection to fully participate in the program.