MIDLAND, Mich. (March 18, 2019) – The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational will partner with The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Foundation to bring their LPGA Leadership Academy to Michigan this June to help develop the next generation of female leaders through a blend of golf and business skills.

The LPGA Foundation introduced the two-day LPGA Leadership Academy in 2015 to engage teenage girls in golf to provide them with the framework to develop confidence and enhance their communication and leadership skills. Group leadership exercises, expert-led discussions, journaling and interaction with female executives and mentors help girls focus on their individual strengths and leadership style.

“We are committed to empowering, inspiring and transforming the lives of girls and young women through the game of golf,” said Nancy Henderson, president of The LPGA Foundation. “We are excited about teaming up with the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational and bringing the LPGA Leadership Academy to the Great Lakes Bay Region this summer.”

The two-day event will be presented by the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on June 24-25 and will be hosted by Karen S. Carter, Dow’s chief human resources and inclusion officer, at Midland Country Club. Participants will receive a unique opportunity to take part in an executive women’s panel discussion featuring several top female executives from Dow.

“We are excited and honored to team up with the LPGA to empower girls and young women to dream, learn, and grow,” said Carter. “We strive to build community and we’re passionate about providing opportunities that help shape the young, innovative minds and spirits in our region to ensure an even better community to live on for generations to come.”

The LPGA Leadership Academy uses the game of golf as a platform and learning tool to:

  • Teach girls how to become better decision makers.
  • Overcome and let go of setbacks.
  • Take calculated risks and embrace opportunities.
  • Develop skills to accomplish specific goals.
  • Play their own game and find their own voice.

Leadership Academy events span across the entire country with two-day academies taking place in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, California, and New York. Each LPGA Leadership Academy will host 40 selected girls ages 13-18 at no cost to applicants who have been accepted.

In addition to attending the Academy, each participant will be eligible to apply for The LPGA Foundation Scholarship Program, which includes invitations to LPGA events, mentoring programs and a $5,000 college scholarship. Details about The LPGA Leadership Academy and applications for participation can be found via the registration website link: https://www.girlsgolf.org/2019/leadership-academy-michigan. All young women ages 13-18 interested in golf and planning to pursue a STEM related field in college are encouraged to apply online immediately.  The application deadline is April 26, 2019.

For more information about the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, visit www.DowGLBI.com and join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/DowGLBI, www.twitter.com/DowGLBI, and www.instagram.com/dowglbi (@DowGLBI).