Executive Development

One Day. Lifelong Impact.

For more than 26 years, senior leaders like you have come to the Center for Leadership to learn from world-renowned leadership authors, speakers, and experts. We offer a rotating annual lineup of one-day Executive Development Programs designed to tackle the most pressing challenges you face in today’s ever-evolving business landscape. Each program blends expert insights, research, peer discussion, and hands-on application, so you walk away with practical tools you can use immediately.



With a one-day format, you can build your leadership journey around what matters most to you—whether it is navigating conflict, sparking innovation, or leading transformational change. You are in control of your development, and we are here to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.


Program Benefits

  • Become a more effective leader and make a greater impact in your business through real-world learning experiences.
  • Gain access to the latest research and world-class executive education delivered by some of the best minds in leadership, both nationally and globally.
  • Enhance your network of contacts with other area executives in an environment that encourages learning and growth.
  • Maximize flexibility with your schedule and participate only in those programs that fit your personal and organizational development needs.

Audience

Executive Development programs are designed for senior leaders, functional leaders, and those who lead other leaders—anyone ready to sharpen their edge and make an immediate, lasting impact.

Upcoming Executive Development Programs

The Executive Development training programs are 9:oo a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (with lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and morning and afternoon breaks). These programs are only offered in person.

 

 

2026 programs (in-person only)

February 18, 2026: Compassionate Curiosity: Confident Communication for Conflict, Motivation, & Negotiation with Kwame Christian

Successful leadership requires the ability to navigate high-stakes conversations with clarity, empathy, and strategic intent. In this dynamic program, you will learn how to use the Compassionate Curiosity Framework to confidently lead through conflict, motivate others, and negotiate outcomes that drive execution. Facilitated by attorney, author, and global negotiation expert Kwame Christian, this program blends psychology, emotional intelligence, and practical negotiation strategy. You will explore how to uncover hidden motivations, manage emotionally charged interactions, and build trust, even in disagreement. Through real-world examples and guided practice, you will strengthen your ability to influence across functions and levels, avoid common mistakes that can stifle healthy communication, and create alignment. Whether navigating a difficult team conversation or high-level negotiation, you will walk away with the ability to turn tension into traction and resistance into results. REGISTER

 
March 25, 2026: Our Brains & Change: Leveraging Neuroscience to Overcome Change Resistance with Dr. Elizabeth Moran

Every week, thousands of people leaders are asked, or expected, to lead change initiatives they did not design and that their teams may not welcome. Change is inherently complex: as humans, we’re wired both to grow and to resist threats. Unfortunately, many leaders view resistance as a problem to fix, wasting valuable time and energy and ultimately slowing down progress. This program offers a fresh perspective. Designed for leaders caught in the middle between top-down change directives and team pushback, it provides practical insights for navigating resistance more effectively. You will learn how to reframe resistance, understand its root causes, and lead in ways that accelerate transformation rather than stall it. REGISTER

 
April 22, 2026: Driving Innovation in the Age of AI with Jay Kiew

As the world adopts AI, organizations will struggle to find their competitive edge. After all, using the same groundbreaking platforms will result in the same groundbreaking results – ultimately leading to a lack of differentiation between competitors. Individuals and industries must learn to differentiate themselves in the age of AI, or be disrupted. Amidst the noise, three functionally distinct skills - Wonder, Vision-Casting and Connection - are emerging. In this experiential full-day program, innovation strategist Jay Kiew will share how trailblazing organizations are driving disruption and innovation in the age of Agentic AI. He will also unpack Change Fluency, a leading change navigation playbook that will equip audiences with the strategies needed to skillfully navigate the evolution of work. REGISTER

Investment

Executive Development programs are open to:

Partner organizations: $996 or 3 partner units per day
Public: $1,245 per day
UD Alumni receive a $50 discount

Executive Development 2025 Brochure

Download the 2025 Executive Development Brochure.

Executive Development 2026 Brochure

Download the 2026 Executive Development Brochure.


I value the Center for the variety of courses provided. These courses help me look at my challenges with a fresh perspective and a desire to make changes that will result in substantive improvements to my leadership and our business processes.
Executive Development Program Participant