Why Becoming a Founding Member of the COWGIRL Leadership Academy Matters

There are moments in the Western industry when something new begins, and the women who step in early help shape what it becomes. 

The COWGIRL Leadership Academy is one of those moments.

Built on the foundation of the COWGIRL 30 Under 30 program and the inaugural COWGIRL Leadership Summit, the Academy was created as a year-round home for women who want to learn, connect, lead, and grow within the Western industry. It brings together women from agriculture, ranching, rodeo, business, media, fashion, equine, entrepreneurship, and the Western lifestyle into one shared leadership community.

Becoming a Founding Member is more than joining a membership. It is an invitation to be part of the first chapter.

A Seat at the Table From the Beginning

Founding Members are the women who step into the Academy early and help establish the culture, energy, and future of this community.

This is for women who believe leadership is not defined only by a title, an award, a platform, or a public role. It is for women who are building businesses, advancing careers, raising families, managing ranches, launching ideas, serving communities, and looking for other women who understand what that kind of ambition and responsibility feels like.

Inside the Academy, Founding Members receive full access to the private COWGIRL Leadership Academy community, leadership programming, live conversations and events, networking opportunities, leadership resources, the member newsletter, and preferred pricing on Academy products and programs.

But the real value is not only in the list of benefits.

It is in the relationships.

A Year-Round Leadership Community

The Academy was created because leadership does not end when the Summit ends.

Members will have opportunities to stay connected through virtual meetups, live leadership conversations, educational programming, and ongoing community discussions. These touchpoints are designed to keep women connected throughout the year, not just during one event or one season.

For many women in the Western industry, leadership can feel isolating. You may be the only woman in the room, the youngest person at the table, the first in your family to build something new, or the person everyone else relies on to figure it out.

The Academy gives you a place to keep learning and a network of women who understand the weight and privilege of leadership.

In-Person Connections at Major Western Industry Events

The COWGIRL Leadership Academy is also being built beyond the screen.

Members will have access to in-person meetups tied to major Western industry events, creating opportunities to connect face-to-face with fellow members, COWGIRL Leaders, COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Alumni, industry professionals, and women shaping the future of the Western world.

These gatherings are designed to make networking feel more meaningful and less transactional.

The goal is not just to meet more people. The goal is to build relationships that last.

Member Opportunities, Giveaways, and Special Access

Founding Members will also be part of a growing network where opportunities can be shared, celebrated, and expanded.

That includes great giveaways, special member opportunities, leadership resources, community announcements, and preferred access to future Academy experiences.

As the Academy grows, Founding Members will be the women who were here from the beginning — the first group to say yes to a year-round leadership home for women in the Western industry.

Preferred Pricing on the Summit Collection and Future Programs

One of the strongest benefits of Academy membership is preferred community pricing.

Members receive access to extremely discounted pricing on select Academy products, programs, and educational offerings, including the 2026 COWGIRL Leadership Summit Collection. Preferred Community Pricing is available to COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Alumni, COWGIRL Leaders, Leadership Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, Academy members, and special invitees.

The 2026 COWGIRL Leadership Summit Collection includes all 10 Leadership Summit sessions, Amanda Kimes’ keynote presentation, the complete three-part Girl Talk series, bonus access to the full Wrangler COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Empowered Gala, and lifetime access to the entire collection.

The public price for the Summit Collection is $397, while Preferred Community Pricing is $197.

For women who want both the Academy and the Summit Collection, the Founding Member Bundle includes the Complete 2026 Summit Collection and the first month of Academy membership for $224 today, then $27 per month to continue Academy membership.

Why Founding Membership Matters

Founding Members are not just accessing content.

They are helping build the room.

They are the first women to help carry the Academy from an idea into a living, growing community. They are the ones who will welcome future members, set the tone for meaningful conversations, show up for virtual and in-person gatherings, and help prove that women in the Western industry are stronger when they stay connected.

The Academy is not designed to be a passive subscription.

It is designed to become a place where women are known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to keep leading.

The Honor of Being Part of the First Chapter

Every strong community begins with the people who believe in it early.

Becoming a Founding Member of the COWGIRL Leadership Academy means joining the first group of women committed to building a year-round leadership network for the Western industry.

It means saying yes to mentorship.
Yes to connection.
Yes to continued learning.
Yes to showing up for other women.
Yes to having a seat at the table.

The Summit brought women together.

The Academy keeps them connected.

And Founding Members will always be part of the beginning.