Be Part of History: 15th Anniversary

Over the course of 15 years, the LeadingAge Washington Leadership Institute has provided professional and personal development training to 248 individuals, furthering the mission to build up leaders who will serve their organizations, state affiliates, and the field of aging services in an exemplary and innovative fashion.

This program aims to enhance the leadership potential and essential skills of aging services professionals by leveraging their inner strengths and natural capabilities, regardless of their experience, job title, or role within an organization. The curriculum incorporates the expertise of a wide variety of authors and is rooted in the core values of integrity and honesty; collaboration and commitment; responsiveness and open communication; respect and generous listening; trust building and innovation.

Benefits of Participation

Fellows within the Leadership Institute will meet four times throughout a 6-month program to develop and strengthen their leadership skills. They will:

  • Deepen their authentic leadership through clarification of their own personal values and leadership philosophy.
  • Understand the concepts behind distributed leadership and empowerment.
  • Explore how paradigm shifts occur through supportive environments of creativity and innovation.
  • Become aware of how a leader’s emotions influence the workplace and everyone in it.
  • Discover the secret of building trust at multiple levels-with others, within organizations, and communities at large.

Program Description

The 6-month Leadership Institute journey will cover a variety of modalities, including required readings, site visits, large and small group discussions, 1:1 guided conversations, self-assessments, coach mentoring, leadership dinners, and a final enrichment project. Within this unique learning environment, Fellows will be given the tools to discover their own leadership gifts, and guidance on how to leverage those gifts for personal and professional development. The final enrichment project will provide an opportunity to “bring it back” as they create a plan to contribute what they have learned to the organization they serve. In addition to the fun of collaborating and learning from each other, we anticipate that Fellows will also form deep bonds with leaders in our member network. Read more here: 2025 Program Brochure.

 

Time Commitment & Expectations

  • Between the four leadership summits held January through June, Fellows should expect to spend approximately 15 hours on various participation requirements.
  • Fellows will need access to a personal computer for regular e-mail contacts with their Coaches and Fellows.

Eligibility

  • Participation is contingent upon employment by a LeadingAge member organization.
  • Attendance at all in-person gatherings is required, as well as the completion of all projects, assignments/readings, and virtual meetings (approximately 15 hours between each summit).
  • If at any point a Fellow is unemployed or unable to meet any of the eligibility requirements, continued participation in the program is subject to review by LeadingAge.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed and evaluated using the following criteria:

  • How well does the applicant demonstrate a personal commitment to aging services?
  • To what extent does the applicant demonstrate leadership potential?
  • To what extent does the applicant express a willingness to participate in introspective exercises to facilitate exploration and personal development?

We strive for broad participation from state member providers and business partners, as well as a diverse cohort of Fellows offering a variety of experiences and perspectives.

Fees & Expenses: Employer’s Responsibility

The sponsoring organization is responsible for covering the non-refundable fee of $2,100 (Provider) / $2,500 (Business Member), as well as all hotel and travel expenses associated with each of the four in-person gatherings. LeadingAge Washington provides complimentary registration to the Annual Conference that takes place during the final gathering in June (a $799 value). In addition, some meals are provided onsite during gatherings (breakfasts, lunches, and one dinner). All books and materials will be provided.

To enhance the collaboration and bonding experience, it is highly recommended that participants spend a minimum of one night in the hotel with other Fellows, even if they have nearby residency.

2025 Summit Dates

Participants will engage in four face-to-face learning experiences that include visits to member communities, intimate conversations with aging services leaders and self-exploration of leadership styles through exercises and readings. Dates & themes are as follows:

  • January 23-24, 2025 in Des Moines, WA
    Values Based Leadership  
  • March 12-13, 2025 in Tacoma, WA
    Innovation and Change Management
  • May 14-15, 2025 in Cheney, WA
    Relationship Management 
  • June 22-24, 2025 in Vancouver, WA
    Self-Management

2025 Faculty & Coaches

  • Co-Facilitator – Tracy Fritts, Vice President of Quality and Outcomes, Consonus Rehab
  • Co-Facilitator – Karmen Hudson, Regional Director of Sales, HumanGood
  • Coach – Jonathan Boyar, Executive Director, Judson Park
  • Coach – Brooke Kasten, General Manager, Fairwinds Redmond
  • Coach – Dave Foltz, Principal, Rhythm Senior Living Consulting
  • Coach – Salem Thompson, Executive Director, Adult Day Services of the Tri-Cities

For more information, contact Sarah Whitmarsh, VP of Member Engagement, at swhitmarsh@LeadingAgeWA.org 

Apply Now

Applications are due November 15, 2024. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance in early December.
 

Click Here for the Application Checklist

Institute Alumni

Over the years, 248 individuals have graduated from the Leadership Institute. 
 
 

See Alumni Photos