Women's Public Leadership Network

What Women's Public Leadership Network does

Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Virginia and headquartered operationally in Atlanta, educates, organizes, and inspires women—predominantly those identifying as center- or right-leaning—to seek public office and effective political leadership across the United States. The organization was founded in 2019 with major programmatic activity commencing in 2022, including its inaugural National Summit in New Orleans and its first Nonprofit Management Fellowship cohort.

WPLN's core products are: (1) the Tips From The Trail podcast (currently in Season 2, distributed on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts) featuring women political leaders; (2) a free online candidate-training resource library; (3) the annual National Summit (5th edition scheduled June 4-5, 2026 in Philadelphia); (4) the Nonprofit Management Fellowship (fourth cohort), which provides emerging leaders with mentorship and program-management experience; and (5) the Impact Council, an advisory group of national-level advisors, supplemented by regional Women's Political Leadership Training events and the How to Lead in Local Office virtual training series. Distribution layers include Eventbrite ticketing, a Bonfire-powered merchandise storefront, social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and a monthly email newsletter.

The organization runs on a non-capital-intensive revenue model comprising individual donations and recurring Rankin Circle monthly memberships, ticketed event revenue (Summit tickets $299-$399), and merchandise sales. A State Partner Network of 11+ state-based nonprofits extends local reach, supported by named strategic partners including The LIBRE Initiative (Hispanic community outreach), Katch Skills (skills-verification), Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers, Veterans Campaign, Ellevate LA, and Google (event sponsorship). The organization operates with 1-10 staff including Founder & President Larissa Martinez and a small leadership team spanning development, communications, programs, and social media.

Name

Women's Public Leadership Network

Legal name

Women's Public Leadership Network, Inc.

Website

https://womenspublicleadership.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Public Leadership Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates, organizes, and inspires center- and right-leaning women across the United States to seek public office and effective political leadership, primarily through its National Summit, candidate training resources, podcast, and fellowship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Leadership Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote/Hybrid Leadership & Distributed Team Management (EDABAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM), Coaching, Feedback & Mentoring Skills (EDABAMAM)

Keywords

• Candidate training
• Political leadership training
• Women's leadership programs
• Public office training
• Political campaign training

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WPLN relies on donations from individuals, supporters, and partners. The organization has a Rankin Circle membership program for recurring supporters and accepts general donations.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales for National Summit, training events, and conferences. Early-bird pricing is offered for summit tickets.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling merchandise including apparel and accessories with WPLN branding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Women's Public Leadership Network educates, organizes, and inspires center- and right-leaning women to seek public office and become effective leaders. It delivers free online candidate training resources, hosts the Tips From The Trail podcast, runs an annual National Summit, and operates a Nonprofit Management Fellowship along with regional and virtual training events for women pursuing public leadership roles.

Product overview

Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services designed to educate, organize, and inspire center- and right-leaning women to seek public office and become effective leaders. The core offerings include the Tips From The Trail podcast, free online candidate training resources, the annual National Summit, and a Nonprofit Management Fellowship. Supplementary offerings include virtual training series on local leadership, regional Women's Political Leadership Training events, the Impact Council advisory group, and the Rankin Circle donor program. These products work together to provide a comprehensive pathway from awareness through training to community engagement for women pursuing public leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tips From The Trail: A podcast series hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez that explores the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.

Products and services

• Tips From The Trail Podcast A podcast series hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez that explores the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day. Features women leaders sharing tips and experiences; available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
• Individual Resources (Candidate Training) Free online video training database and candidate training resources designed to equip women with knowledge and practical skills for running for elected office.
• National Summit Annual flagship in-person event bringing women leaders together for networking, skills-building, and inspiring panels. The Fifth National Summit is scheduled for June 4-5, 2026 in Philadelphia, with tickets priced at $299-$399.
• Fellowship for Nonprofit Management A fellowship program providing mentorship opportunities and hands-on training on practical skills needed to support and scale nonprofits. Currently in its fourth cohort.
• How to Lead in Local Office Virtual Training Series Three-part virtual training series covering governing fundamentals for local leaders including personal branding, Robert's Rules of Order, agenda-setting, resilience in office, communications, media engagement, and constituent management.
• Women's Political Leadership Training (Regional Events) Half-day regional training events featuring inspirational women leaders and expert trainers providing valuable resources to elevate leadership skills. Held in locations like McAllen, Texas.
• Rankin Circle (Donor Membership Program) WPLN's recurring monthly donor program supporting the organization's programs and resources, keeping resources free for women across the country.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 National Summits held
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Katch SkillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides WPLN network members with free access to Katch Skills profiles - a platform that helps document and translate leadership skills into professional credentials. Women can scan QR codes at WPLN events to automatically log participation and earn verified skills badges. The partnership helps women 'keep the receipts' of their leadership development.
• The LIBRE InitiativemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Director Sandra Benitez joined WPLN's Tips From The Trail podcast. The LIBRE Initiative sponsored WPLN's 2025 National Summit. Both organizations share commitment to empowering Hispanic communities and center-right women leadership. Collaboration includes podcast episodes and event sponsorship.
• State Partner NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 11+ state-based nonprofit organizations providing local training and resources to women in their states. Includes organizations like Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition, Louisiana Women Lead, Colorado Women's Alliance Foundation, LBJ Women's Campaign School, VoteHer Georgia, Nevada Women's Leadership Alliance, and others. These partners extend WPLN's reach and provide state-specific programming.
• Veterans CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWPLN partnered with Veterans Campaign for leadership dinner at 2022 State Partner Retreat featuring Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Sears. Collaboration supports women veterans and military-affiliated women interested in public leadership.
• Katch Skills CEO Laura MaristanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKatch Skills CEO joined WPLN Founder Larissa Martinez for webinar exploring how making skills visible helps amplify women's leadership superpowers. Webinar provided training on using skills documentation for career advancement and campaign readiness.
• GoogleminorOthersAnnual sponsor of WPLN events and programs. Also provided digital security training at 2022 State Partner Retreat.
• Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAWP Director Debbie Walsh appeared as guest on WPLN's Summit 2026 special podcast episode discussing state of American women in public leadership. Academic partnership for research and data sharing on women's political participation.
• Ellevate LAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWPLN partnered with Ellevate LA for 2026 Legislative Leadership Conference where guests hear from Louisiana leaders. Collaboration connects WPLN network with Ellevate's professional women's network.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Running Start: Nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office. Highly comparable to WPLN's young women/college student segment and fellowship program, with overlapping training and mentorship offerings.
• She Should Run: Nonpartisan nonprofit that encourages women from all backgrounds to run for office and provides training resources, similar to WPLN's candidate training. Overlaps in target audience (women considering public office) and free resource model, though nonpartisan rather than center-right.
• EMILY's List: Major U.S. political organization that recruits, trains, and funds pro-choice Democratic women candidates. Directly comparable to WPLN in mission (training women to run for office) but operates on the opposite side of the political spectrum and at significantly larger scale.
• National Women's Political Caucus: Multipartisan organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting women candidates at all levels of government. Shares WPLN's mission of increasing women's representation in elected office and its training/recruitment focus.
• VoteRunLead: Nonpartisan organization training women to run for office through in-person trainings and online resources. Strong overlap with WPLN's candidate training, virtual training series, and free resource model.
• Higher Heights for America: Organization building Black women's political power through leadership development, training, and civic engagement. Comparable to WPLN in mission (training women for political leadership) and demographic focus on an underrepresented constituency.
• National Federation of Republican Women: National grassroots organization recruiting, training, and electing Republican women at all levels of office. Closest ideological parallel to WPLN's center-right focus and shares the state-club structure that WPLN's State Partner Network mirrors.
• IGNITE National: Nonpartisan organization training young women in high school and college to run for office. Comparable to WPLN's young women/college student segment and Fellowship program model.

Emerging players

• Barbara Lee Family Foundation: Foundation focused on increasing women's representation in U.S. politics through research and programs supporting women candidates. Comparable in audience (women candidates) and research-driven approach, though more research-focused than WPLN's training delivery.
• Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University: University-based research center providing data, education, and programs on women's political participation. Already a partner of WPLN (Director Debbie Walsh on podcast) and serves a comparable research/training function for women in politics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WPLNetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/157028024991075
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-s-public-leadership-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/wplnetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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's Public Leadership Network