About YWBLA
About Young Women's Business & Leadership Academy
YWBLA was created to offer young women more than information—we create pathways for growth, preparation, and purposeful development. Through practical learning and real‑world experiences, participants cultivate the mindset, skills, confidence, discipline, relationships, and knowledge needed to navigate adulthood, education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community life with clarity and power.
Our Mission
The mission of the Young Women’s Business & Leadership Academy is to educate, empower, and equip young women with the leadership, personal‑development, communication, career, financial‑literacy, entrepreneurial, and social skills needed to make informed decisions, pursue meaningful opportunities, lead with integrity, and create positive change in their communities.
Our Vision
We envision a generation of confident, capable, socially aware, financially informed, purpose‑driven young women who understand their value, develop their talents, pursue opportunity, and lead with courage and integrity.
Our Core Values
What We Stand For
Meet the Founder
Margaret Walker
Founder & Executive Director, YWBLA
Leadership & Personal Development Coach | Educator | Retired Law-Enforcement Lieutenant
Margaret Walker is the Founder and Executive Director of the Young Women’s Business & Leadership Academy. She is an experienced leader, educator, entrepreneur, mentor, and Leadership & Personal Development Coach whose work centers on helping individuals strengthen their confidence, communication, decision‑making, discipline, leadership ability, career readiness, and personal growth.
After a 26‑year career in law enforcement, including service as a lieutenant, Margaret continued her commitment to developing people through leadership education, de‑escalation instruction, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and professional‑development training.
Margaret holds a bachelor’s degree from Christian Brothers University and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial‑Organizational Psychology at Capella University.
Her vision for YWBLA is to help young women understand who they are, recognize their potential, develop practical skills, strengthen their confidence, and prepare to pursue opportunities with purpose, integrity, and leadership.
"I believe leadership begins with knowing who you are, understanding what you value, developing the discipline to grow, and having the courage to use what you learn to make a difference."
— Margaret Walker
People • Purpose • Possibilities