The Emerging Leaders Academy consists of facilitated, small group sessions and one-on-one coaching sessions. The program includes:
- Specially designed activities that develop participants sense of themselves as leaders and help them create practical plans for continued professional development.
- Curated readings and videos that create a basis for discussion during group sessions, while the program facilitator ensures that sessions provide generous time for individual sharing and troubleshooting.
- One-on-one sessions with professional coaches that enhance participants’ learning experiences.
“I feel like I came in one person and left someone totally different. My confidence has soared and I now have a fantastic network of leaders to continue working with. Thank you so much for the opportunity.”
— Former Emerging Leaders Participant
“The Emerging Leaders Circle has provided me with the skills, confidence, support network, and tools to move forward into the next stage of my career. I am grateful for our facilitator, my peers in the circle, my assigned coach, and the accountability of this program that have pushed me to ask hard questions of myself. I’m starting to feel like I have some answers!”
— Elise Cruz, former Emerging Leaders Participant
“This was an absolutely invaluable experience. I have never had this much confidence in my personal and professional life. My coach was extremely helpful in thinking through my vision. The facilitator and group members were a wonderful source of support.”
— Former Emerging Leaders Participant
Program Content
Group sessions and individual coaching session focus on developing leadership skills in the following areas:
- Knowing yourself
- Building a vision
- Maximizing your values at work
- Building strategic relationships
- Making sense of experience
- Challenging yourself
Tuition
The cost for participation is $1,000 for CNE members and $1,650 for nonmembers. (Not a member? Join today.)
CNE offers limited need-based scholarships. Scholarship applications are solicited and evaluated on an individual basis after participants have been selected. Contact Brian Ullman to learn more.
Program Schedule 2025-2026
Emerging Leaders Academy will meet monthly for two hours over the course of eight months from September through April, and it includes five hours of coaching sessions. Applicants to the Emerging Leaders Academy should keep in mind the time commitment of meeting monthly for two hours. Meetings will be held on Thursdays from 9-11 am in-person in Charlottesville on the following dates:
- Thursday, September 11, 2025
- Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Thursday, December 11, 2025
- Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Thursday, March 11, 2026
- Thursday, April 9, 2026
Application
Applications will remain open through July 28, 2025.
Program Support
The Emerging Leaders Academy is generously supported by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. We are grateful for their partnership and shared commitment to developing and empowering the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
About United Way of Greater Charlottesville
Through its core impact areas of Financial Stability, School Readiness, and Connected Community, United Way of Greater Charlottesville brings the greater Charlottesville community together to enable individuals and families to thrive. A key way United Way of Greater Charlottesville advances its mission to help all families thrive is by uplifting and empowering leaders in the region’s social impact sector.
For more information about United Way of Greater Charlottesville’s programs and resources, getting involved, and/or supporting its work, please visit www.unitedwaycville.org or follow @UnitedWayCville on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.