LEAD Program

Duration: 9 weeks, virtual

Purpose: Leadership experience intensive for new and emerging African American leaders to shape Wisconsin's executive workforce

Geographic Scope: Greater Milwaukee Area

Cohort Size: Capped at 10 participants for inaugural cohort

Program Goals

• Bring together high-performing individuals from partner organizations
• Harness, cultivate, and evolve leadership potential
• Drive transformational change to make Milwaukee a great place to work, live, and play for all
• Elevate the vibrancy of the leadership community by amplifying voices of African American leaders

Program Content

• Authentic self-discovery and core leadership fundamentals
• Key talks and insights on economic development
• Learning related to systemic racism
• Preparation for boldly advancing contributions to organizations and community

Anticipated Participant Outcomes

• Connection to insights and tools for transition from great contributor to great leader
• Elevated ability to shape and lead current and/or future teams to success
• Introduction to distinctive skills and methodologies for senior leadership pipeline readiness
• Greater sense of self and self-awareness
• Strategic plan to network and increase sphere of influence and impact
• Personal and professional development

Application Eligibility Criteria

All requirements must be met for consideration:

1. Identify as African American, Black, or Black American
2. Live in the Greater Milwaukee Area
3. Procure a signed letter of support from sponsoring organization/employer
4. Must be with company a minimum of 1 year
5. Must be at Senior Individual Contributor to Sr. Manager level (Directors and above excluded)
   • OR if criteria 3-5 cannot be met: Be a strong potential candidate for internal leadership role within next 12-18 months (requires attestation from current leader)
6. Excluding internal organizational programs, should not have participated in more than 1 leadership program in past 24 months
7. Be able to commit minimum 8-10 hours per week to program
8. Have minimum 1 direct reporting manager/leader and 1 peer/partner provide references
9. Have technical capabilities to participate in full virtual program

Application Process

1. Submit application through online form ("Apply Here" link)
2. Include signed letter of support from sponsoring organization
3. Provide references from direct reporting manager/leader and peer/partner
4. Applications reviewed by LEAD selection committee
5. Notification of acceptance via email no later than February 12 (based on 2021 timeline)
6. Full cohort schedule provided to accepted participants February 12-15
7. Mandatory orientation evening (March 16 for inaugural cohort)

Timeline (Based on Inaugural Cohort 2021)

• Application deadline: January 31, 2021
• Application review and selection
• Notification: by February 12, 2021
• Schedule provision: February 12-15, 2021
• Orientation: March 16, 2021 (mandatory)
• Program duration: 9 weeks beginning March 16, 2021