TARGET AUDIENCE
Early to mid-level career professionals whose span of influence and impact is growing over teams, projects and/or partners.
Outlined Schedule
January 2026:
- 1/14 Program Orientation for Participants & Mentors 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- Complete program assessments following orientation (done on own time)
- Mentor Meeting 1 (scheduled by participant)
February 2026:
- Day 1 Discovering Self Regional Workshop, Wednesday 1:00p-5:30p – IN-PERSON
- Day 2 Discovering Self Regional Workshop, Thursday 8:00a-2:30p – IN-PERSON
- NOTE: Discovering Self Regional Workshops will be hosted by a participating organization on either February 18-19 or February 25-26. The exact location and dates will be confirmed during the program orientation.
March 2026:
- 3/4 Crafting a Vision Workshop, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 3/11 Crafting a Vision Regional Debrief, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 3/18 Programming break and Mentor Meeting 2 (scheduled by participant)
- 3/25 Building Alignment Workshop, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
April 2026:
- 4/1 Building Alignment Regional Debrief, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 4/8 Special Networking Programming, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 4/15 Championing Execution Workshop, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 4/22 Championing Execution Regional Debrief, 11:00a-12:30p EST – VIRTUAL
- 4/29 Programming break and Mentor Meeting 3 (scheduled by participant)
May 2026:
- May 4-6 Application Module 3-day National Event – IN-PERSON, Cincinnati, OH
- Final Mentor Meeting (scheduled by participant following the Application Module 3-day National Event)
February-May 2026:
Coaching Call
Participants will have access to one, 60-minute, one-to-one coaching call with their program facilitator that can be used at any time throughout the program.
PRICING INFORMATION
$4,295 + travel for NACWA members; $4,595 + travel for non-NACWA members
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE
Enroll by November 14, 2025. A program orientation will take place in January 2026 and the programming will begin in February 2026.
Experience Overview
The emerging leader training is a multi-month experience comprised of in-person and virtual interactions. The program operates on a cohort model, with several utilities selecting a few participants to form a class of 15-20 people. Several cohorts from around the country experience the program at the same time, presenting opportunities for water sector collaboration regionally and nationally. Wiley’s Work of Leaders is used as the framework for a curriculum that moves through four modules (discovering self, crafting a vision, building alignment, championing execution) and the program incorporates a variety of interactions including peer-to-peer networking, mentors, speakers, and tours. The program concludes by identifying specific strategies for applying leadership learning in the workplace.
Expected Outcomes
- Growth in confidence and self-awareness
- A stronger peer network within and outside organization
- Increased understanding of diverse work styles
- Ability to move initiatives from idea, to action, to results
- Ability to rally and inspire others to action (sometimes without formal authority)