Changing the Face of Leadership with the Power of Golf
Fairways to Leadership is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase diversity in leadership by teaching college students from diverse backgrounds the leadership skills they need to become effective business leaders and the networking skills that can help them access leadership opportunities.
The program is based around an innovative and immersive curriculum that uses the experience of playing golf to teach leadership and networking skills.
Why Golf?
The role of golf in American society combined with its impact on business opportunities speaks to the social and economic power of golf. We harness this power in using golf to promote positive social change.
Golf is an important part of American society, with 33.5 million total golf participants, and 74 million individuals either watching and/or reading about golf while never having played on or off course.
Golf is an important contributor to business opportunities:
90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf
80% of executives believe playing golf enables them to establish new business relationships
50% of female executives say being able to talk about golf allows them to be more successful
54% of executives view golf as an excellent business networking tool
93% say playing golf with a business associate leads to a closer business relationship
73% of women believe golf has helped them network and develop business relationships
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Golf contributes to implicit discrimination in the workplace because of the low percentage of women and people of color who are golfers and how this impacts their access to business opportunities. We focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in business for underrepresented groups by enhancing their ability to play and use golf in business.
“If you don't want to be excluded from some of the things we do, you're going to need to learn how to golf and start golfing with us.”
- Female executive reporting what she was advised by male executives upon becoming an executive ("Dysfunction in the Boardroom", Harvard Business Review)
Gender, Golf, and Business Leadership Opportunities:
77% of all golfers are male; 23% of all golfers are female
93% of Fortune 500 CEOs are male; 7% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female
Race, Golf, and Business Leadership Opportunities:
82% off all golfers are Caucasian; 18% of all golfers are non-Caucasian
95% of Fortune 500 CEOs are Caucasian; 5% of Fortune CEOs are non-Caucasian
Since Our Founding in Summer 2020
Immersive Leadership Training
The leadership training focuses on teaching students the key skills required to be a highly effective leader. The traits developed in the leadership training include mindfulness, adaptability, integrity, curiosity, empowerment, and strategy.
The golf training recognizes that 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf and over 80% of executives say that golf played an important role in their career advancement The golf training teaches students how to network with business leaders through golf and use their networks to access leadership opportunities.
Students graduate from the six-week program possessing the skills required to successfully network in pursuing business leadership opportunities and the traits needed to effectively perform in business leadership roles.
Leadership Academy
Online learning environment offering multiple podcast series teaching students important leadership traits, including mindfulness, adaptability, integrity, curiosity, empowerment, and strategy.
Executive Forum
Online speaker series that allows students to learn from industry leaders about the contribution of adaptability, curiosity, empowerment integrity, mindfulness, and strategy toward being an effective leader.
Student Testimonials
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"I learned leadership skills on and off the green that I use in the leadership positions I hold at my university. FWTL provided me with a community."
Mariana Sorroza
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"I learned that golfing is actually very fun. It's a great way to network with others and even to do business. I highly recommend the program."
Jaylen Brown
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"Thank you for creating a program where a golf beginner like myself can feel more competent in the game and valued as a minority."
Karla Santiago
Ways to Help
By donating, you can help us accomplish its goal of promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. 100% of the proceeds from your donation go directly to us.