Institute for Women's Leadership at Rutgers University

The Institute for Women's Leadership (IWL) at Rutgers University is a consortium based at the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. This structure is exemplary in its ability to work collaboratively and enable units to speak and act collectively. The consortium values feminist perspectives, evidence based-research, intersectional analysis, inclusion and community. The programs, research, and the collective work of the IWL consortium position Rutgers University-New Brunswick as a premier site for deepening research and expanding opportunities to develop women’s leadership for social change.

The Institute for Women's Leadership was established in 1991 by Mary S. Hartman, former Dean of Douglass Residential College. Alison R. Bernstein was appointed director in July, 2011 and served and served a five year term until her death on June 30, 2016. Lisa Hetfield, longtime associate director and director of development) served as interim director beginning in July, 2016 and remained in that role until Rebecca Mark was appointed director in January, 2020. Meghan Rehbeinbegan her tenure a s director in July 2025. Rehbein brings significant expertise in strategic planning and organizational development to this role, which she is undertaking while continuing to serve as the eleventh Dean of Douglass, a position she has held since July 2022.

IWL leads activities in three broad areas: Model leadership programs for women in the public and private sectors, interdisciplinary research on women's leadership, and collaborative programs that utilize the experience of unit members for the benefit of the consortium.