Connecticut Leadership Academy                        

Transforming Leaders. Strengthening Communities.
Join a vibrant community of aging services professionals as the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy once again welcomes emerging leaders from Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Now entering our second year of regional collaboration, the enhanced Leadership Academy offers a year of dynamic growth, connection, and transformative leadership development designed to elevate your impact and expand your potential.

What is the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy

The LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy is a regionally based leadership program that fosters and encourages leadership development within the LeadingAge Connecticut, LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware and LeadingAge Rhode Island member organizations.

Now in its second year of regional collaboration, LeadingAge Connecticut has made the commitment to this forward thinking leadership program to ensure that we are developing leaders that will carry on the mission of expanding the possibilities for aging. Modeled after the national LeadingAge Leadership Academy program, the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy provides a year-long transformational leadership development experience that is both accessible and affordable. We are proud to partner once again with with LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware and LeadingAge Rhode Island to extend this experience to their memberships.

Transformational leadership is an inspiring and visionary leadership approach that creates significant change in the lives of people and organizations through strong relationships. Participants enrolled in the academy will be considered “fellows” and they will engage in a year-long leadership program that will include four two-day overnight learning experiences in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island which will be scheduled throughout 2026.

LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy Schedule 
Participating fellows will engage in four two-day face-to-face customized learning experiences that will include visits to Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island member communities, conversations with aging services leaders and self exploration of leadership styles through exercises and readings. We have updated the format this year to include an overnight stay for all four sessions and the cost for lodging is covered by this year's tuition. 

The selected dates for the 2026 LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy are as follows:

Session 1: January 15 and 16
Session 2: March 16 and 27
Session 3: June 4 and 5
Session 4: September 24 and 25

2026 Leadership Academy Application Timeline 
Completed applications are due by November 20, 2025. Applications that fail to meet all guidelines or are incomplete will not be considered for review. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance into the program by early-December.

2026 Leadership Academy Brochure and Application

Testimonials
“Our organization is deeply committed to investing in the next generation of leaders and the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy has offered us an excellent opportunity to do so. The employees we have sponsored have transformed into amazing emerging leaders and their growth has had a positive impact on all who live and work within our communities.” Lisa Connolly, NHA, MS, Vice President, Hartford HealthCare Community Network, LeadingAge Connecticut Immediate-past Board Chair

“Leadership Academy has been a remarkable experience that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career. It has opened my eyes to new learning opportunities and made me a better leader for my organization.” -Adrienne Perry, Director of Assisted Living and Care Management

“This experience has been nothing but rewarding. It has broadened and deepened my understanding of what it means to be a leader. The Leadership Academy has given me the tools needed to get out of my comfort zone, build my network and become an effective leader.” Kadeen Blanchard, Human Resources Specialist

Please contact Allison Anka at [email protected] or [email protected], 203-678-4477 x16 if you have any questions.