Emerging Leader Academy

Developing Leaders Who Lead with
Purpose, Empathy and Courage

Introducing the Academy

The Ripple Effect Emerging Leader Academy is an immersive 12-part training designed to help rising and mid-level professionals strengthen their leadership capacity. Through a blend of theory, practice, and reflection, participants learn to lead with authenticity, foster inclusion, and inspire others toward shared purpose. 

The Academy is dedicated to developing adaptive, ethical, and purpose-driven leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Our curriculum is built upon the foundational insights of renowned thinkers in leadership and organizational culture.

The Academy draws on Daniel Goleman’s work to establish emotional intelligence as a core competency, Amy Edmondson’s research to emphasize the critical need for psychological safety, and Brené Brown’s framework to connect vulnerability with high team trust. Furthermore, we incorporate Simon Sinek’s philosophy on "Starting with Why" to ground leadership in purpose and ethical decision-making.

The program also integrates essential perspectives on equity and inclusion from influential voices such as Layla Saad, Minda Harts, and Rachel Cargle, alongside the insights on multicultural leadership and community building from Juana Bordas and Refugio Atilano. 

These combined approaches allow the Academy to focus on four essential pillars for transformative leadership:

  • Fostering Communication and Transparency

  • Cultivating Ethical and Purpose-Driven Leadership

  • Achieving success by Building Collaborative, High Trust Teams

  • Embracing change through Finding Your Why and Risk Forward Leadership

These competencies are vital for thriving in today's dynamic global environment.

Partner With Us

Program Modules

  • Key Learning: Strengthen empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration. Learn to recognize and regulate emotions in self and others, foster trust, manage interpersonal dynamics, and lead with authenticity. Explore strategies to cultivate compassion, emotional attunement, and effective relationship management across teams.

  • Key Learning: Build psychologically safe, culturally responsive environments. Deepen understanding of identity, bias, and privilege, and develop inclusive leadership practices. Learn how to create equitable systems and support belonging through intentional communication, representation, and accountability.

  • Key Learning: Lead through uncertainty and change with agility. Strengthen the ability to pivot strategically, make data-informed decisions under pressure, and empower teams to innovate. Practice resilience and curiosity in response to shifting priorities and external disruptions.

  • Key Learning: Promote balance, prevent burnout, and enhance team health. Develop skills for stress management, boundary setting, and sustainable leadership. Learn to integrate wellness practices into daily work and cultivate organizational cultures that prioritize mental and physical health.

  • Key Learning: Use clarity and storytelling to build trust and engagement. Master transparent communication strategies, active listening, and storytelling for influence. Learn to manage difficult conversations, align teams around vision and values, and foster open feedback loops.

  • Key Learning: Model integrity and courageous decision-making. Examine moral frameworks, organizational ethics, and values alignment. Explore strategies for ethical problem solving, stakeholder accountability, and leading with authenticity even when facing conflict or uncertainty.

  • Key Learning: Empower and celebrate diverse contributors. Learn team dynamics, shared leadership models, and conflict resolution techniques. Build systems that encourage collaboration, cross-functional innovation, and mutual respect. Identify and utilize strengths of team members for greater impact.

  • Key Learning: Align personal purpose with organizational goals. Explore motivation, meaning, and alignment between personal values and professional outcomes. Develop the confidence to take strategic risks, embrace vulnerability, and inspire others to innovate through purpose-driven action.

  • Key Learning: Build operational excellence and financial literacy. Learn to read financial statements, budget effectively, forecast responsibly, and allocate resources efficiently. Understand key performance indicators, compliance requirements, and how operational systems support mission success.

  • Key Learning: Develop executive presence and public speaking skills. Strengthen message architecture, persuasive storytelling, and nonverbal communication. Learn to engage audiences authentically, manage Q and A sessions confidently, and prepare for high-stakes media or public appearances.

  • Key Learning: Practice boundary sharing and effective feedback using structured frameworks. Learn to address challenges directly while preserving respect, de-escalate conflict, document agreements, and sustain accountability and psychological safety across teams.

  • Key Learning: Explore leaders in history who demonstrated courage, authenticity, and vision in times of adversity. Reflect on key lessons learned from transformational figures across social, political, and business movements. Synthesize insights from all modules, identify personal leadership growth, and create individualized action plans to sustain development and propel continued impact.

Program Experience

Engaging and Practical: Each module combines interactive exercises, group discussion, and applied learning.

Evidence-Based: Grounded in contemporary leadership and behavioral research.

Inclusive by Design: Prioritizes psychological safety, cultural awareness, and belonging.

Reflective and Purposeful: Encourages alignment between personal values and professional behavior

WHO SHOULD ENROLL

  • Early to mid-career professionals preparing for leadership roles.

  • Managers seeking to strengthen inclusive and adaptive leadership skills.

  • Teams or departments aiming to build collaboration and psychological safety.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

  • A personalized leadership vision statement anchored in purpose.

  • Tools to apply emotional intelligence and empathy in daily practice.

  • Skills for building resilient, inclusive, high-performing teams.

  • Greater confidence in transparent, ethical, and courageous leadership.

PROGRAM FORMAT

  • Twelve two-and-a-half-hour sessions (150 minutes).

  • Includes guided reflection, case studies, and peer learning.

  • Required pre-work and post-session resources to extend learning.

Pricing

Content layout - coming soon

About Ripple Effect Partners

Ripple Effect Partners equips organizations and leaders to create equitable, human-centered workplaces. Our training and consulting services empower individuals to lead with compassion, integrity, and courage—creating ripple effects of impact across teams and communities.

Partner with Us

ripple effect partners

HOME | ABOUT | SERVICES | ACADEMY | ALIGN | SPEAKING & ENGAGEMENTS

Clear Strategy. Lasting Impact.

We partner for progress with purpose, delivering strategic solutions that create meaningful change, advance equity, and leave a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

© 2025 Ripple Effect Partners. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.