2024 Connecticut Leadership Academy Applications Now Available

Link to the Connecticut Leadership Academy application

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 and LeadingAge Rhode Island member organizations. 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 accessible and affordable.

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 learning experiences scheduled throughout 2024.

“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 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, Duncaster

“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, Duncaster, Connecticut Leadership Academy Fellow (2022)

LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy Schedule and Themes:
Participating fellows will engage in four two-day face-to-face customized learning experiences that will include visits to LeadingAge Connecticut member communities, conversations with aging services leaders and self exploration of leadership styles through exercises and readings. The March and September sessions will require overnight stays and the cost is included in the tuition.

The selected dates and themes for the 2024 LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy are as follows:

Session 1: The Purpose Driven Leader ● January 11 & 12, 2024
This session will focus on uncovering or discovering personal “whys” while seeking to align personal values, actions and leadership framework with each individual’s purpose. Additional learning focus includes creating learning organizations, understanding the principles of person-centeredness with residents and staff, adopting the concept of adaptive leadership, encouraging balance and renewal, fostering creativity and innovation, and changing organizational cultures.

Session 2: Discovering Authentic Leadership ● March 14 & 15, 2024
This overnight session will focus on the exploration of personal values, developing our moral compass and self-reflective leadership practices, understanding our personality preferences and our crucibles of leadership, finding our leadership voice which will give us the confidence to transform our organizations.

Session 3: Empowering and Inspiring Teams ● June 27 & 28, 2024
This session will focus on creating environments which encourage others, fostering collective visions for the future, developing trust, and building strong, committed teams within our organizations.

Session 4: Building Relationships and Partnerships ● September 12 & 13, 2024
This overnight session will underscore the importance of relationship development, using our emotional intelligence, advocating for our organizations and the people they serve, forging partnerships outside the walls of our communities, and learning the best practices of other organizations.

Applying to the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy

Completed applications must be submitted no later than November 20, 2023 and applicants will receive notification of acceptance into the program by the end of December. Applications that fail to meet all guidelines or are incomplete will not be considered for review. Please contact Andrea Bellofiore at [email protected] or 203-678-4477 if you have any questions.

Link to the Connecticut Leadership Academy application

Applications can be mailed to:
LeadingAge Connecticut
c/o Andrea Bellofiore
Director of Member Programs and Services
110 Barnes Road
Wallingford, CT 06492