Leadership Programs
Explore affordable leadership development. Enhance skills, boost your professional presence, and connect with a strong alumnae network!
Leadership Events
Our leadership events help women in STEM fields develop their managerial, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and other skills to position them to take on leading roles in their work and graduate program environments.
Virtual Summer 2026 Leadership Program for Women in STEMM with Epistimi, Inc.
The virtual summer program begins in June, with discounts available to all AWIS members.
Reach your full potential as a woman and a leader in STEMM!
Find your way through the labyrinth of external factors blocking your path and the internal barriers hidden within yourself.
Class size: up to 25 (min of 12 required).
Applications are accepted until the program starts.
Cost: $200 to $950
Program Background
Epistimi’s mission is to increase the leadership presence of women in the sciences.
The Epistimi leadership program is based on the LEAPS (LEAdership and Professional Skills and Strategies) Program, with the goal of making this material accessible to all women in STEMM. The program is led by Dr. Angeliki Diane Rigos, founder of Epistimi. She also co-founded the LEAPS Program in the MIT School of Science and launched the first leadership program for the Boston chapter of the Association for Women in Science (MASS AWIS).
Epistimi’s leadership program is developed over 12 virtual workshops (Part 1 – Leading Yourself, Part 2 – Leading Others), and discounted rates are available for AWIS members, MIT alumnae, postdocs, and graduate students.
Level 1 - Leading Yourself
Content:
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Intro to Leadership and Self-Awareness
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The Role of Personality and Personal History
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Communication Basics – Sending and Receiving, Consciously and Unconsciously
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Leadership, Ethics, and Values
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Inclusive Leadership and our Biases
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Vision, Decision Making, and Leadership Styles.
Two Day/Time Options (Will Take Place Over Six Zoom Meetings):
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Mondays: Jun 22, 29, and Jul 6, 13, 20, 27. 6-8 pm EST
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Wednesdays: Jun 24, and Jul 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. 10 am - noon EST
Level 2 - Leading Others
(Level 1 Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite to Level 2)
Content:
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7. Complexity of Teams – Part 1
8. Complexity of Teams – Part 2
9. The Spectrum of Conflict
10. Influence, Strategy, Power, and Your Path
11. Negotiation – Dos and Don’ts
12. Coaching and Mentoring.
Two Day/Time Options (Will Also Take Place Over Six Zoom Meetings):
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Wednesdays: June 24, and July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. 6 - 8 pm EST
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Fridays: Jun 26, and Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 11 am - 1 pm EST
This program is for graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, assistant professors, and other early-career professionals in STEMM. Class size is limited to 25 participants. More details are available here.
Registration Rates and Available Discounts
Registration rate for all virtual workshops: $950
AWIS members or MIT alumnae*: $475
Postdocs*: $300
Graduate students*: $200
Currently Unemployed: $200
*Please submit appropriate documentation with your application, and once verified, you will receive a payment link.
Please download the course flyer to share with your thesis advisor, department chair, or employer to sponsor your training.
Keep Up with News on STEMM Leadership!
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Angeliki Rigos, Anna Frebel, and Maryam Alsharqi published a paper on the LEAPS program at MIT's School of Science. "Successful careers in STEMM through leadership and professional development training"
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Reach out to epistimi.org@gmail.com for any questions on Epistimi Programs, and subscribe to the enewsletter here.
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