SHAPE Career Accelerator™ FAQ

The SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is uniquely designed to support women at every career stage—whether they are just starting out, navigating mid-career transitions, or advancing into senior leadership roles. The program provides tools, confidence, and strategies tailored to the challenges women face at each stage of their professional journey, ensuring they are equipped to advance their careers and make meaningful contributions to their organizations.

Research from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org’s Women in the Workplace report highlights that while women make up 48% of entry-level hires, their representation declines significantly at higher levels, with only 26% holding senior vice president roles and 20% in C-suite positions. These challenges are compounded for women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities, who often face additional barriers to advancement.

The SHAPE Career Accelerator™ addresses these disparities by focusing on leadership development at all levels. Participants enhance critical skills such as executive presence, strategic decision-making, and advocacy—capabilities that drive career advancement and organizational success. Strategically, organizations with greater gender diversity on leadership teams are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability (McKinsey, 2020). Investing in this program supports companies’ broader talent strategies by cultivating leaders who can drive innovation, manage complexity, and foster inclusive cultures.

From a professional development perspective, the SHAPE framework leverages data-driven insights and evidence-based methodologies to deliver measurable outcomes. Participants have reported increased confidence, the ability to navigate complex workplace dynamics, and greater clarity in defining and pursuing their career aspirations. For instance, one participant shared how Candace’s mentorship helped them refine their leadership style and seize growth opportunities aligned with their goals—whether entering a new field, securing a promotion, or transitioning to a leadership role.

The program’s impact extends beyond individual success to organizational transformation. Participants bring newfound confidence and actionable strategies back to their teams, driving growth and collaboration. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the program, creating a trusted environment where participants can openly explore their career challenges and opportunities. One participant noted, “Candace’s guidance created an environment of trust and accountability, empowering me to unlock my potential and thrive in my role.”

This program is not just about career advancement; it’s about cultivating a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate today’s workplace with confidence and clarity—whether they are early in their careers or leading organizations. By fostering self-efficacy, building advocacy, and empowering participants to lead with intention, the SHAPE Career Accelerator™ delivers both personal transformation and measurable organizational benefits. For companies investing in this program, it offers a clear pathway to strengthening leadership pipelines and ensuring a more inclusive, innovative future.

The SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is delivered virtually through live, interactive sessions, typically conducted via Zoom. Designed to fit into busy professional schedules, the program can be completed in as little as 90 days, with participants having the flexibility to engage for up to six months.

Participants join a cohort of peers at comparable career stages, ensuring high-level discussions, targeted learning, and a network of professionals equally driven to achieve transformational outcomes.

Yes, the SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is designed to empower a broad range of female talent—from early-career professionals to mid-level managers and senior leaders. Whether for Employee or Business Resource Groups (ERGs/BRGs), department teams, or large-scale organizational programs, it offers tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of ambitious women at every stage of their careers. Here’s how it works for groups, companies or organizations:

Scalable and Inclusive Design: The program can be adapted for small cohorts or large groups of up to 250 participants, ensuring an engaging and impactful experience for women at various career levels.

Tailored Content for All Stages: For junior professionals, the program focuses on building foundational career skills and confidence. For mid- to senior-level women, it emphasizes leadership development, personal branding, strategic influence, and driving organizational impact.

Customized for ERGs/BRGs: Whether addressing career advancement for women or women in underrepresented groups, leadership pipeline development, or fostering collaboration, the program aligns with the goals and mission of your ERG/BRG to deliver meaningful results.

Flexible Delivery Models: Delivered through in-person workshops, virtual sessions, or hybrid formats, the program meets the needs of busy professionals and accommodates large-scale rollouts or smaller, targeted initiatives.

Networking and Visibility: Participants gain access to a community of peers, mentors, and advocates, creating a powerful support network to drive career growth and organizational impact.

Real Results for Your Organization: The program is designed to help organizations retain top talent, enhance engagement, and create a pipeline of high-performing, confident leaders across all levels.

The SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is built for ambitious women who are ready to lead, pivot, or grow in their careers, delivering tools, insights, and connections to help them succeed now and in the future. Let’s explore how we can create a program tailored to your organization’s needs and talent strategies!

The SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is designed to be completed in as little as 90 days, with the flexibility for participants to engage for up to six or nine months to accommodate individual schedules and learning paces.

Invest in Your Career Growth

Your career deserves a program that meets you where you are and propels you forward. The six-month program is designed to fit different career stages and learning preferences, with options for deeper engagement and long-term transformation.

Program Tiers:

• $3,000 – Early-career cohort: Build your foundation with structured guidance and support.

• $5,000 – Group cohort: Engage in dynamic group coaching for accelerated career advancement.

• $7,500 – Individual program: Receive personalized coaching tailored to your goals.

• $15,000 – One-year intensive: A fully customized experience with extended support and executive-level insights.

Your next step starts here. Detailed pricing and program fit will be discussed during your application interview.

The application process is designed to help us understand your unique career goals and ensure the SHAPE Career Accelerator™ is the right fit for you. We understand that this program represents a significant financial investment in your future, so we want to ensure it aligns with your needs and budget. The process involves two key steps:

1. Application Form: You'll start by completing an online application where you'll share details about your professional background, your current career situation, and your aspirations for the future. This helps us get a sense of your needs and how we can best support you.

2. Personal Interview: Once we've reviewed your application, we'll invite you for a conversation with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin or a member of our team. This is a chance for us to get to know you better, discuss your career goals in more depth, and answer any questions you have about the program, including the investment and payment options. It's also an opportunity for you to assess whether our approach resonates with you and if you feel comfortable working with us.

We believe this two-step process is essential to ensure we create a personalized and impactful experience for each participant in the SHAPE Career Accelerator™. We're committed to transparency and want you to feel confident in your decision to invest in yourself and your career.

Dr. Candace Steele Flippin is the founder of the Global Career Advancement Institute, a career empowerment company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations elevate their futures.

As a seasoned communications executive and a Fellow at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, she blends corporate expertise with academic insights to advance leadership development and workplace engagement.

A bestselling author, Dr. Steele Flippin has written Generation Z in the Workplace and Millennials in the Workplace, as well as her third book, Get Your Career in SHAPE, inspired by her TEDx Talk, What Women Really Want… at Work. Her writing and speaking engagements focus on promoting career empowerment, addressing the challenges of the multigenerational workplace, and fostering leadership development for women.

In addition to her published works, Dr. Steele Flippin leads leadership development residencies for graduate students at Johns Hopkins University and serves on the Advisory Board of CulTRUE, a private equity-backed organizational culture solutions company. A highly sought-after speaker and media commentator, she provides actionable insights on navigating today’s evolving workforce dynamics.

Dr. Steele Flippin earned her Doctor of Management from Case Western Reserve University, an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, and a BA from the University of Michigan. She also holds an Accreditation in Public Relations and is certified in Emotional Intelligence (EQi).

The program offers both formats:

Group Cohorts: Engage with peers at similar career stages in a collaborative learning environment.

One-on-One Sessions: Receive personalized guidance tailored to your specific career goals.

Yes, organizations have sponsored individual participants or entire cohorts as part of their leadership development initiatives.

Yes, individuals can sponsor their spouse or daughter to participate in the program, providing them with an opportunity to advance their careers through the SHAPE Career Accelerator™.

Yes, the program is designed for women at various career stages—from mid-level professionals to those in senior and executive roles, including entrepreneurs. Cohorts are organized to group participants at similar stages.

Yes, please reach out to discussion our customized and in-person options.