Executive Leadership Academy
Preparing African-American Leaders for Executive Advancement
Successful, forward-looking organizations understand the competitive advantage gained by cultivating diverse and inclusive leadership teams. Prosperous communities recognize the important contributions to be made by minority civic leaders. Yet, African-Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in these roles in Pittsburgh-area corporate and nonprofit positions.
The Advanced Leadership Initiative and Carnegie Mellon Executive Education present the Executive Leadership Academy as a solution. This eight-module advanced development program provides the tools, exposure and training necessary to increase the visibility and success of high-performing African-Americans so that they can contribute to their organizations — and our community — at the highest levels.
Scholarships are available for candidates in the nonprofit and public sector. [pdf]
Learn more about the Executive Leadership Academy
Program Overview
Addressing the 360-degree development of our participants, with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges faced by African-American professionals, the Executive Leadership Academy will feature integrated development across three critical pillars:
- World-class academic instruction in strategic management
- Executive coaching
- Professional sponsorship
Through more than 120 hours of instruction from top-tier business school faculty and industry experts, participants sharpen key, immediately-applicable management skills and develop tools to maximize their potential. Through one-on-one sessions with executive coaches, these abilities are translated to practical implementation, tailored for each participant’s unique personal and organizational needs. And through the guidance of individually-matched professional sponsors, who work with each participant both in and outside of the classroom, the foundation of a lasting cycle of irreplaceable mentorship is built.
Who should apply?
Are you an African-American executive or leader aspiring to greater visibility and success? The Executive Leadership Academy is designed to help you define and reach your goals.
African-American men and women with at least 10 years of work experience in corporate, nonprofit, government or entrepreneurial sectors of our community are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be based in the greater Pittsburgh region and have demonstrated leadership and a desire to achieve professional excellence.
Program Schedule
Module 1
Objectives & Expectations
January 2020
- Leadership Perspectives and Diversity
- Defining Your Leadership Identity
Module 2
Strategic Leadership & Sponsors
February 2020
- Strategic Leadership: Creating Impact in Your Organization
- Identifying Personal Strengths and Values
Module 3
Creating Operational Impact
March 2020
- Operational Leadership
- Creating an Inclusive Workplace, Resilience Training
Module 4
Thriving In Your Organization
April 2020
- Financial Decision-making
- Ethical Leadership
Module 5
Negotiating Quantitative Decisions
May 2020
- Creating Impact with Data: Finance and Analytics
- Managing Interracial Interactions
Module 6
Expanding Your Influence
June 2020
- Building Networks of Influence
- Governance and Civic Leadership
Module 7
Leading High Performing Teams
July 2020
- Leading Diverse Teams
- Refining and Expressing your Authentic Leadership Self
Module 8
Presentations & Graduation
July 2020
- Leadership Next Steps
- Presentations
About the Advanced Leadership Initiative
Carnegie Mellon Executive Education is pleased to serve as the academic partner for the Advanced Leadership Initiative. The Advanced Leadership Initiative has a vision to dramatically improve the regional presence of African-Americans in executive leadership roles, helping to create a more diverse, inclusive and prosperous community. Learn more about the mission of the Advanced Leadership Initiative.
Executive Leadership Academy Presenting Sponsors
