In today’s business climate, the world around us is moving faster than ever. Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, remote work continues to reshape office dynamics, and decisions are being made in real time.

For women, these challenges are often layered with family responsibilities and shifting professional landscapes.

One local organization, Momentum Leaders, is stepping in to help North Alabama women navigate these changes and thrive in the process.

The Huntsville Business Journal recently sat down with Amy Gandy, Momentum’s North Alabama director of programs, for an inside look at the group’s mission to empower women across the region.

“Our mission is to be the premier leadership organization in the state of Alabama and raise up women leaders who stay in our state and lead our state and Huntsville,” Gandy said.

Momentum has been supporting women in the Birmingham area for over 20 years. In 2022, the organization expanded to North Alabama.

In Huntsville and the surrounding areas, Momentum offers two main programs: an executive option for high-level leaders and another avenue for early to mid-career women.

The Huntsville Leadership Program (Executive Class) is comprised of an orientation and opening retreat, six monthly sessions, a closing session, and a graduation ceremony. Speakers are usually brought in from businesses around the country. Tuition is typically paid in whole or in part by the participant’s employer.

The Huntsville Upward Program launched in the Rocket City in February 2025. It is similar to the leadership program with some minor differences. Participants in this inaugural class will enjoy a lower tuition rate, a full-day opening session instead of a retreat, and a lineup of local yet powerful speakers.

In addition to these opportunities, Momentum also offers corporate training, a free mentor matching program, and free virtual training sessions that are available anytime on YouTube.

Currently, the mentor program is being built in Huntsville. One hundred twenty matches will be available to area women within the next year.

Gandy emphasized that Momentum not only helps women strengthen professional skills but also creates a space where they can connect honestly with one another.

“I think what is also great about our programs is you have that personal development as well as professional development,” Gandy said.

She continued, “One of the things that is the strongest about our programs is that we give women the opportunity to be vulnerable with other women. At the same time, they’re getting real-life work experience.”

These programs also offer women in business to advance their careers in a tangible way.

According to Momentum’s website, for Upward members, “the average salary increase of participants was $15,000, and 40% of participants reported receiving upward mobility or a promotion during the program.”

Gandy also shared that the organization also encourages women to think differently about the idea of work-life balance, focusing instead on giving their best where it’s needed most.

“We don’t say there’s a work-life balance because I think that’s false. Sometimes you have to give your job a hundred percent, and sometimes you have to give your family a hundred percent. That’s not taking away from either one of those,” Gandy explained.

Gandy offered an example of how a typical session in the Leadership or Upward program might unfold. Facilitators often walk participants through real-world scenarios, pointing out, “… yes, these are the events that are happening in your office. These are the things that are happening with your employers and employees. This is how you can make it better, change yourself, or work on your office culture.”

The organization is also hosting the Be Bold Leadership Summit in Huntsville on January 28, 2026, in partnership with local organizations: Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, Junior League of Huntsville, Leadership Greater Huntsville, the Women’s Economic Development Council, and WEDC Foundation.

Gandy also noted that, in Huntsville, one of the ongoing challenges is that men have traditionally dominated leadership and business circles.

“It’s a little harder here because we are in a very male-dominated community as far as leadership and business. That is changing, and we hope to help that change move forward. We’re not taking anything away from the male leadership in our community. They’re awesome, but there’s a place for both,” Gandy shared.