The Bold Movers Program is a fellowship aimed at supporting mid-career women who are committed to social impact and seeking to elevate their leadership skills. This initiative is a collaboration between Stuart Weitzman, the Tapestry Foundation, and Vital Voices Global Partnership, and it aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which focuses on gender equality. This is the second cohort of the program, following a successful launch in 2024, and it targets women aged 21 to 50 who are looking to overcome obstacles and advance their careers in meaningful ways.

The program is designed to help women in the United States who are in the mid-career stage (typically in their early 30s to late 40s), a time identified by a Harvard Business Review study as when many women executives face significant biases in the workplace. These biases often involve assumptions of labor, hyper-scrutiny, and limited access to advancement opportunities. The Bold Movers Program is focused on helping these women break through such barriers and take the next step in their careers through leadership development, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Participants will have access to a range of benefits designed to support their professional growth. The program includes leadership training, skills-building workshops, and community-building sessions. Participants will also be invited to an in-person event in Washington, D.C., where all travel expenses will be covered. In addition, there will be opportunities to apply for grant funding to support the participants’ social impact projects. Mentorship will be provided by experienced leaders from Stuart Weitzman and the Vital Voices network, and participants will join the broader Vital Voices global network of over 47,000 women leaders from around the world.

The program’s ultimate goal is to empower these women to become stronger, more confident leaders who can drive social change within their communities and beyond. It offers a platform for mid-career women to address the challenges they face and to enhance their capacity to influence their fields and lead social responsibility initiatives.

Applications for the 2025 cohort are open to U.S.-based women changemakers who are at a pivotal stage in their careers and who are eager to expand their leadership and social impact. The program promises to provide not only practical tools for career advancement but also meaningful connections that can support long-term professional development.

The closing date for applications to the Bold Movers Program is February 28, 2025. As the program is designed for women who are serious about leveling up their careers while advocating for social impact, it provides a unique opportunity for those who fit the criteria to further their leadership potential.