November 10, 2026
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Modernwell
This event is limited to 30 participants.
Emerging leader development programs are an important tool for building an organization’s leadership pipeline. Designing an impactful program involves many considerations, including the target audience, selection process, learning experience, manager involvement, success criteria, and more. In this interactive session, we’ll look at real case studies from organizations of different types, sizes, and cultures to see what it takes to design and develop programs that build leadership capability while ensuring stakeholder support.
We’ll cover the key design decisions, from defining “emerging leader” and selecting participants to choosing learning methods and measuring impact. We’ll also share candid lessons about what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do differently. Whether you’re launching a new program or refreshing an existing one, you’ll leave with practical ideas you can adapt to your own organization.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify the key design decisions in building an emerging leader program, including audience definition, participant selection, learning approach, and manager involvement, and adapt them to their own organization.
- Apply strategies to gain and keep stakeholder support from executive sponsors, managers, and HR partners throughout the life of a program.
- Use lessons from real-world case studies and a practical design canvas to avoid common pitfalls and plan or refine their own program.
Meet Our Presenter:
Michelle Kelly is the founder and CEO of Empowering Performance, Inc. (EPI), a leadership and organizational development company. For more than 30 years, she has helped leaders, teams, and organizations perform at their best. Through EPI, Michelle partners with executives and HR leaders on strategic consulting, organizational development, and leadership programs. Her work strengthens culture, builds leadership capability, and improves performance. Michelle translates leadership concepts into clear, actionable tools leaders can use right away. Her flagship Leadership to Live By™ program brings that approach to life with energy, relevance, and impact.
This program is FREE for all ATD-GTC members. Members may bring one complimentary, registered guest.
By registering for this event, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in photographs and videos taken at the event. These images may be used by ATD-GTC for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, social media, website, and printed materials.
Modernwell is a members-only coworking space. We are excited to hold our events in their beautiful space, but can not extend access beyond the event time. Once the event ends, all attendees are expected to depart the building OR they can purchase a day pass at a discounted rate of $30 for the remainder of the day. Please stop by the ModernWell front desk before or after the event to purchase your pass.