Executive Leadership Development Experience | Weatherhead School at Case Western Reserve University
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Executive Leadership Development Experience

A leadership pathway designed for Black professionals


For the past 50 years, Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management has been at the forefront of leadership development. We are committed to developing leaders at every level of an organization and in the community. We believe that to truly and intentionally move from good to great, organizations and their leaders must find a way to support, mentor and create a space for talent to show up authentically.

The Executive Leadership Development Experience (ELDE) is designed to grow the leadership capabilities of participants, especially Black professionals, and to provide pathways for them to further their careers. To elevate capabilities and create opportunities, this cohort-based program presents practical opportunities for you to expand your leadership skills while providing multiple ways to connect and grow your network in the Cleveland region. Building upon Weatherhead's expertise in developing bold and impactful leadership programs with lasting value, ELDE combines executive coaching to help you define and realize your goals and aspirations, and mentoring to help you connect with leaders in the community who will support you. This program takes you out of just classroom learning to create an environment where experimentation, networking, reflection and application is encouraged.

ELDE is about transformation and action. It's about networking and sharing experiences. And most importantly it's about developing future leaders who are not the only diverse voice in a room. Leaders who can lead the change they want to see in their organization and community.

Find a way with this unique program, designed for promising professionals like you.

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Who Should Attend?

Individuals, especially Black professionals, with at least 10 years of work experience and at least five years of management experience. They should have an interest in advancing to the most senior levels of their organization and be willing to help build the leadership pipeline, specifically among Black professionals, by committing to developing others who are one to two levels below them.

Program Benefits

  • Interaction with a cohort of other leaders about relevant leadership topics.
  • Opportunity to network with senior executives across Northeast Ohio
  • Craft and work toward the attainment of a vision for personal and professional growth
  • Work one-on-one with an executive coach for the duration of the program
  • Matched with a senior executive mentor to support your advancement efforts

Program Format

The Executive Leadership Development Experience is a cohort-based program held from February through June. Sessions will be held on the Case Western Reserve University campus through the Weatherhead Executive Education program once a month from Thursday evening through Saturday morning. The preliminary structure of the sessions is as follows:

  • Thursday evening ‐ Networking reception and speaker/panel
  • Friday ‐ Full-day content session
  • Saturday ‐ Half-day or Full‐day content session

Each program session will focus on important considerations for leading at one or more levels (self, others, team, organization and community). Furthermore, session content will be based on essential topics for effective leadership across the various levels as well as topics specifically pertinent to Black leaders.