Women Leaders In Data & AI

What Women Leaders In Data & AI does

Women Leaders In Data & AI (WLDA, also doing business as World Leaders in Data & AI) is a private, founder-owned professional networking and mastermind community organization founded in 2018 by Asha Saxena and headquartered in the New York / New Jersey area. The organization serves Fortune 1000 C-suite and senior data, digital, and AI executives, with a stated mission of advancing women in AI leadership while also engaging male allies. Membership requires 10+ years of leadership experience and F-1000 employment, and access is gated by application review and a personal onboarding call. Beyond the executive tier, WLDA Nation offers Apprentice ($50/month), Plus ($100/month), and Pro ($150/month) subscriptions targeted at emerging and aspiring leaders.

WLDA's product portfolio is built around three layers: (1) tiered membership programs (World Leaders, Senior Leaders, WLDA Nation), (2) flagship events including the annual Summit at the New York Stock Exchange, the Awards Gala at FiDi Banking Hall / NYSE, the Visionary Leaders Forum executive retreat, regional meet-ups, Tech Talks, and a weekly LinkedIn Live series called The AI Talk Show, and (3) corporate and venture programs including WLDA@WORK (custom corporate events), WLDA Industry (enterprise AI maturity engagements), WLDA Partners (sponsorship tiers), and WLDA Ventures (a 12-week accelerator for diverse- and women-led startups). Underlying technology is limited to a WordPress-based website (wlda.tech), a WLDA member mobile app, a private member network (network.wlda.tech), and a WooCommerce storefront — WLDA is not a technology-product company and has no proprietary AI/ML systems.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: individual membership subscriptions (WLDA Nation tiered pricing publicly disclosed; executive World Leaders and Senior Leaders tiers opaque and application-based), event ticket sales (2026 Summit $1,000, 2026 Awards Gala $1,500), and corporate sponsorships and partnership programs sold via direct enterprise relationships with brands such as Accenture, KPMG, PwC, Build-A-Bear, L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, ThoughtSpot, WNS, NYSE, Databricks, Okta, and Autodesk. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with high-trust word-of-mouth referrals among a closed F-1000 executive cohort and an application-based onboarding motion. The organization is bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding, and operates as a wholly founder-controlled entity with Ellen Nielsen (former Chevron CDO) as Executive Director.

Name

Women Leaders In Data & AI

Legal name

World Leaders in Data & AI

Website

https://wlda.tech

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women Leaders In Data & AI is a private, founder-owned professional community and events organization serving Fortune 1000 C-suite and senior data and AI executives, generating revenue through tiered individual memberships, flagship events at NYSE, and corporate sponsorships and accelerator programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Professional Networking

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Meeting & Event Program Technology (Registration, Apps, Badging) (THACAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual, Hybrid & Livestream Event Coordination (HSACAAAO)

Keywords

• Executive networking community
• Professional membership programs
• AI leadership events
• Corporate partnership programs
• Peer mastermind circles

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Membership Subscriptions: WLDA generates recurring revenue through tiered membership programs. WLDA Nation offers monthly subscriptions at $50 (Apprentice), $100 (Plus), and $150 (Pro) per month, with annual options at $600, $1,200, and $1,800 per year respectively. Executive membership (World Leaders and Senior Leaders tiers) targets C-suite and VP-level leaders at Fortune 1000 companies with an application-based approval process and personalized onboarding.
2. Event Tickets and Registrations: Annual flagship events generate ticket revenue. The 2026 WLDA Summit is priced at $1,000 per attendee; the 2026 Awards Gala at $1,500 per attendee. Regional meet-ups and virtual Tech Talks are offered at various price points. Sponsorship and corporate partnership packages are sold alongside event registrations.
3. Corporate Sponsorship and Partnership Programs: Organizations sponsor WLDA events (Visionary Leaders Forum, Summit & Gala), host AI Roundtables and Jeffersonian Dinners, and launch Virtual Series or Expert Panels. Sponsors receive brand visibility, complimentary event registrations, registration discounts, community exposure, and exclusive access to senior F1000 decision-makers. WLDA@WORK corporate program sells custom virtual events and curated content to enterprise organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WLDA operates a premier membership and mastermind community for C-suite and senior technology leaders in Data and AI, delivering tiered membership programs (World Leaders, Senior Leaders, WLDA Nation), annual flagship events (Summit at NYSE, Awards Gala, Visionary Leaders Forum), a startup accelerator (WLDA Ventures), corporate partnership programs (WLDA Industry, WLDA Partners), and the AI Talk Show content series.

Product overview

WLDA operates as a professional networking and events organization for senior leaders in Data and AI, offering a portfolio of membership programs (World Leaders, Senior Leaders, WLDA Nation), signature events (Annual Summits at NYSE, Awards Galas, Visionary Leaders Forum retreats), the WLDA Ventures accelerator for women-led startups, The AI Talk Show content series, and corporate/partner programs. The organization does not offer a unified software platform but rather a suite of community, learning, and networking services structured around tiered membership levels and enterprise engagement programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WLDA Ventures: Mission-driven accelerator program designed to empower early-stage, high-growth companies founded, owned, or led by diverse teams inclusive of women. Offers 12-week transformative experience with world-class entrepreneurship training.

Products and services

• WLDA Executive Membership Programs (World Leaders & Senior Leaders) Tiered application-based membership programs for senior executives at Fortune 1000 companies: World Leaders tier for C-suite (CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, CDOs) seeking strategic peer collaboration, and Senior Leaders tier for VPs, Directors, and senior leaders with 15+ years of experience. Members access curated mastermind circles, global peer networks, private briefings, roundtables, speaking opportunities, and exclusive events.
• WLDA Nation Membership Tiers Three-tiered monthly and annual subscription membership (Apprentice $50/mo or $600/yr, Plus $100/mo or $1,200/yr, Pro $150/mo or $1,800/yr) for emerging and aspiring tech and AI leaders. Includes access to content library, virtual speaker sessions (2x/year), networking events, Tech Talks (10x/year for Pro), and annual Visionary Leaders Forum invitation (Pro tier).
• WLDA Summit Annual flagship one-day summit held at iconic venues (NYSE Freedom Hall, FiDi Banking Hall, Accenture Innovation Hub) featuring keynote sessions, think tanks, panel discussions, and networking for AI and data leaders. The 2026 WLDA Summit ticket is priced at $1,000 per attendee, scheduled for October 30, 2026 at NYSE.
• WLDA Awards Gala Annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in AI and data leadership. Recognizes leaders across multiple categories including Corporation of the Year, Woman Leader of the Year, AI Leader of the Year, Data Leader of the Year, Changemaker, Rising Star, Responsible Tech Leader, Executive Ally, and more. 2026 Awards Gala tickets priced at $1,500 per attendee, scheduled for October 30, 2026 in NYC.
• Visionary Leaders Forum (VLF) Annual multi-day executive retreat format gathering C-suite and senior leaders for intimate discussions on AI transformation, agentic enterprises, board-level AI governance, and strategic planning. Features expert panels, mastermind sessions, and curated networking. 2026 VLF held at L'Auberge Del Mar, California (April 1-3, 2026).
• WLDA Ventures Accelerator Mission-driven accelerator program for early-stage, high-growth companies founded, owned, or led by diverse teams inclusive of women. Offers a 12-week transformative experience with world-class entrepreneurship training, mentorship from WLDA members and advisors, and a Pitch Day/Investor Day event.
• WLDA Industry Corporate Programs Enterprise engagement program for global corporations and institutions seeking to advance responsible AI transformation. Includes Partner Summits (custom on-site events), Knowledge Exchange (peer-to-peer between organizations), Board Readiness training, Mentorship Circles, AI Steering Committee facilitation, and Learning Hub access. Also encompasses WLDA@WORK, which brings curated content and F1000 thought leaders to internal teams (up to 500 attendees per session).
• WLDA Partners Sponsorship Program Corporate partnership program offering organizations brand visibility, complimentary event registrations, registration discounts, community exposure, and exclusive access to senior F1000 decision-makers. Partner tiers include strategic alliances sponsors and corporate sponsors (partners include Build-A-Bear, PwC, KPMG, NYSE, Accenture, ThoughtSpot, L'Oréal, WNS, Estée Lauder, arachne).

Quantifiable outcome

• WLDA has facilitated connections among Fortune 1000 executives from companies including KPMG, Chevron, L'Oréal, Pfizer, JPMorgan Chase, IBM, BNSF Railway, TIAA, Estée Lauder, and many others
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Data UniversecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA announced a strategic partnership with Data Universe, described as a first-of-its-kind comprehensive data, analytics, and AI platform. The partnership expands WLDA's reach and provides members with access to valuable resources and opportunities in the data and AI ecosystem.
• FIMA Financial Innovation ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with the FIMA Financial Innovation Conference, providing cross-promotional and collaborative engagement with financial services data and AI leaders.
• Informa TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with Informa Tech, expanding its industry reach and providing members with access to technology industry events and resources.
• MizuhominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with Mizuho (financial services institution), supporting WLDA events and providing financial industry perspective to the WLDA community.
• CDO Tall (Chief Data Officer community)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with CDO Tall, a Chief Data Officer community, expanding cross-community engagement for CDO-level professionals in the data and AI space.
• CDOIQ (Chief Data Officer Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA has joined the Global CDO Institute, which established a New York City flagship CDO Institute. This partnership positions WLDA as part of a world-renowned Global CxO Institute network, providing members with access to CDO-level thought leadership and certification programs.
• DataIQ SummitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with the DataIQ Summit conference, providing members with access to data and analytics industry events and networking opportunities.
• CDO MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLDA is partnered with CDO Magazine, expanding its media reach and providing thought leadership exposure for WLDA members in the Chief Data Officer community.
• NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSE serves as the venue partner for the annual WLDA Summit, which is held at Freedom Hall, NYSE in New York City. The NYSE-WLDA partnership provides an iconic venue for WLDA's premier annual gathering of AI leaders. NYSE is also an AI-Driven Enterprise Award nominee in 2025. WLDA rang the closing bell at NYSE on June 23, 2023.
• AccentureflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAccenture served as the host and venue partner for the 2023 WLDA Summit at Accenture Innovation Hub, One Manhattan West, NYC. Accenture's leaders (Laura Peterson, Keri Smith, Tracy Ring, Natalie Heisler, Lee Barrett, Chaitanya Geddam, Jeff Kaminski) served as moderators, speakers, and executive champions at WLDA events. Accenture was named Corporation of the Year at the 2022 WLDA Awards. Accenture is a premier corporate sponsor and thought leadership partner.
• Build-A-Bear WorkshopflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBuild-A-Bear Workshop is a major event sponsor and WLDA member company. Dara Meath (CTO) serves on the WLDA Advisory Board, CEO Council, and as Event Chair. The company hosted the 2024 WLDA Summit at Build-A-Bear facilities and sponsored the VLF 2026 with gift bag contributions.
• PwCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC (Jennifer Colapietro, Managing Partner) serves on the WLDA Advisory Board. PwC is an event sponsor. Jennifer Colapietro was a featured speaker at VLF 2026 (Designing 2030 Now). PwC's professionals participate in WLDA programs and serve as moderators and thought leaders.
• KPMGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKPMG (Robert Parr, CDO, Advisory) serves on the WLDA Advisory Board and CEO Council. KPMG US Advisory sponsored the 2025 WLDA Awards Gala. KPMG has collaborated on research including the Career Outlook for Women in Data, Analytics, and AI report with WLDA and Revelio Labs.
• ThoughtSpotcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThoughtSpot is an event sponsor and its co-founder Amit Prakash was a featured speaker at VLF 2025 (future of AI agents). ThoughtSpot's CDSO Cindi Howson won the Best Motivator Award at the 2022 WLDA Awards. ThoughtSpot sponsors VLF 2026.
• WNS (a Capgemini Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWNS (Danielle Crop, EVP) is a featured speaker and sponsor at WLDA events. Danielle Crop serves on the CEO Council and was a featured speaker at VLF 2026 (The Rise of Agentic Enterprises). WNS is a VLF 2026 sponsor.
• L'OréalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerL'Oréal is a VLF 2023 sponsor, VLF 2026 sponsor, and member company (Susannah Greenberg). L'Oréal has been a long-standing supporter of WLDA events and diversity initiatives in data and AI.
• Estée Lauder CompaniescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEstée Lauder Companies (Sowmya Gottipati, Corporate CIO) is a member and VLF 2026 sponsor. Jane Lauder (EVP Enterprise Marketing and CDO) was a featured speaker at the 2023 WLDA Summit at Accenture.
• DatabrickscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobin Sutara (Field CDO, Databricks) serves on the WLDA community. Robin Sutara hosted the WLDA Ventures 2024 Investor Day at the Databricks NYC office. Josephine Ho (Rising Star 2021) was a Senior Customer Success Engineer at Databricks. Databricks is a strategic technology partner for WLDA's data and AI community.
• OktacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOkta partnered with WLDA for a virtual Tech Talk event titled 'Governing the AI Workforce: Mitigating the Systemic Risk of Autonomous Agents' on August 6, 2026. Mallory Sword Glenn (AI Product Marketing & Strategy Director, Okta for AI Agents) was the featured speaker. Okta provides identity management expertise to the WLDA community.
• AutodeskcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAutodesk partnered with WLDA for a Regional Meet Up on August 31, 2026 at Autodesk Gallery, 1 Market St, San Francisco, CA. Alexandra Ross (Senior Director, Data Protection, Use & Ethics Counsel) and Sebastian Goodwin (SVP & Chief Trust Officer) were featured speakers on AI governance topics.
• arachneminorGTM or Marketing Partnerarachne is a VLF 2026 sponsor, supporting the Visionary Leaders Forum and contributing to gift bags for attendees.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Inforum: Executive women's network offering membership, leadership programs, and signature events for senior women leaders; comparable to WLDA in member-led, peer-mastermind operating model and corporate sponsorship motion.
• Chief: Chief is a private membership community for C-suite executives (especially women leaders) that offers peer groups, events, and content — the closest direct analog to WLDA's World Leaders and Senior Leaders tiers in target audience and business model.
• Women in AI: Global nonprofit community advancing women in artificial intelligence through events, awards, and education; directly overlaps WLDA's mission, audience, and AI-thought-leadership content series, and competes for the same corporate sponsorship pool.
• AnitaB.org: Nonprofit founded by Anita Borg focused on advancing women in computing and technology; runs summits, awards, and programs that compete for the same corporate diversity-tech sponsorships and senior women-in-tech audience as WLDA.
• CDO Magazine / CDOIQ: Global Chief Data Officer Institute and magazine (CDOIQ is an existing WLDA partner) serving CDO-level professionals with summits, certification, and thought leadership; directly comparable to WLDA's World Leaders CDO/CAIO executive track and Awards Gala programming.

Broad incumbents

• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Premier global peer network for CEOs and presidents with forum-based mastermind groups and signature events; comparable to WLDA's executive-mastermind model but at the CEO level across industries, with much larger scale.
• Evanta (a Gartner Company): Gartner's executive peer community arm running CDAO, CIO, and CISO communities worldwide; overlaps WLDA's F-1000 data/AI executive community and enterprise sponsorship model, with substantially broader portfolio and Gartner backing.
• Databricks Data + AI Summit community: Databricks is a major WLDA partner (Field CDO Robin Sutara hosts WLDA Ventures Investor Day) and runs the largest Data + AI ecosystem events globally; a broad incumbent that overlaps WLDA's data/AI executive audience and corporate sponsorship pool.

Emerging players

• Forte Foundation: Nonprofit focused on launching women into business leadership through education and corporate partnerships; comparable to WLDA's WLDA Nation emerging-leader pipeline, though Forte is concentrated at the MBA/early-career stage rather than the C-suite.
• The Executive Leadership Council: Membership organization for Black senior executives and C-suite leaders; comparable to WLDA in executive peer-network model and corporate partnership motion, but with a different demographic focus and DC-area operational base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wlda_tech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClZzK_2RohjBABzXenUzy4w
• Facebookfacebook.com/Women-Leaders-in-Data-102977542023457
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-leaders-in-data-ai-wlda
• Instagraminstagram.com/wlda_tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women Leaders In Data & AI