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2026 Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Cohort Application

The Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) flagship program is an advanced educational, training, and networking program for owners of brick-and-mortar food and beverage businesses in the United States.

The 11-week virtual program gives business owners the opportunity to expand as a leader, evaluate and optimize their business model and internal systems, identify improvements, and create a long-term strategy for growth and success. 

JBF has contracted Cornell University as its education partner for WEL. The program's virtual sessions are led by Cornell faculty from across the university, JBF staff, industry professionals, and other subject matter experts. 

To qualify for WEL, you must be:

  • 21 years of age or older
  • A woman or nonbinary individual
  • Reside within the United States and territories
  • A current owner of one or more food and beverage businesses with a brick-and-mortar location
  • Have a minimum of $1M in annual revenue
  • Committed to mandatory attendance to each session
  • Committed to active engagement with the cohort
  • Committed to filling out mandatory follow-up surveys, including immediately upon completion of the program, to allow JBF to measure the program's long-term impact

Applicants who have not participated in a JBF program over the last 12 months will be prioritized. Applicants with a minimum of 2 years of revenue will be prioritized. 

 

Please note that we do not accept two applicants from the same business (partners, coworkers etc.)


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Thank you for your interest in applying to the WEL program. This application should take no longer than one (1) hour to complete. 

To help you prepare: you will need up to two (2) professional references and one mandatory letter of recommendation. We also ask for revenue and profit numbers for 2026 (YTD), 2025, and 2024, and total number of full and part-time staff. We may request to see a copy of your P&Ls for verification purposes. We may also reach out after receiving your application to clarify any questions we have. 

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The program will be held virtually every Monday from 2 to 4 P.M. ET starting September 14 and concluding on December 8, 2026. Attendance at all Monday sessions is mandatory. Live classes will not take place on October 12 and November 23. "Cohort Connect" sessions will be held every Thursday from 1 to 2 P.M. ET. 

Please only apply if you are able to commit to all the dates listed. Your certificate of completion and participation in future WEL events is contingent upon attending every class session and preparing a final presentation. We recommend blocking the course dates on your calendar when you submit your application to ensure that you can attend if selected. 

The application for the 2026 Fall WEL Cohort closes on Monday, June 1 at 11:59 P.M. PST.

A maximum of 20 applicants will be selected. A committee consisting of industry leaders, WEL alumnae, and James Beard Foundation staff will review all applications. All applicants will be notified by August. 

You will be notified via email once your application has been received. If you do not receive an email from us, it means your application has not been fully submitted. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to impactforward@jamesbeard.org.  
About You















Please note that you must own a physical location of your business in order to qualify for WEL


Demographics










Reach





About Your Business









(Total # years for all businesses)
























Business Revenue and Profit



For the following questions, please respond with the total number for all businesses if you own more than one.








James Beard Values
The James Beard Foundation Values - We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate compatible values and alignment with JBF industry goals. 





Business Needs




References and JBF Involvement










Code of Conduct Acknowledgement
I understand that the Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to take action when it received reports or allegations concerning violations of this Code of Conduct, criminal or unethical behavior or other conduct determined to be detrimental or contrary to the mission, integrity and fair perception of the Foundation or its programs or events. Such action may include, in the Foundation's sole discretion, removing, disqualifying or terminating a participant from the Foundation's programs or events. 

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