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Leadership Institutes: Transform Your Leadership, Transform the Field

Leadership isn’t about your title—it’s about your capacity to create change. Whatever your title, you already demonstrate leadership every day through the decisions you make and the values you uphold.
Leadership Institutes, our flagship programs, are transformational multi-day intensives for current and emerging leaders from across the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field.

Whether you’re an executive, program director, frontline supervisor, or hold another title, you’ll gain practical tools you can apply immediately while building lasting connections with professionals who share your commitment to human rights for people with IDD.

Apply Now for an Upcoming Institute

What Makes Our Leadership Institutes Unique?

It’s Not Just Training—It’s Transformation

Unlike typical conferences or workshops, our Leadership Institutes create profound shifts in how you see yourself as a leader. Through a carefully-designed blend of expert speakers, interactive exercises, and assessments, you’ll leave with confidence, clarity, and an action plan.

You Learn by Doing

Every element is designed for immediate application. You’ll work on real challenges from your organization, practice new skills with your cohort, and develop solutions you can implement the moment you return to work.

The Network Is as Valuable as the Training

Your cohort becomes your professional support system—leaders you can call for advice, collaborate with on initiatives, or turn to when facing tough decisions. Many graduates describe these connections as “lifelong” and “transformational.”

Evidence-Based Methods, Proven Results

With over 20 years of data showing leadership development outcomes, we know what works. Our curriculum is based on 20+ years of research and real-world application in the IDD field.

Upcoming Leadership Institutes

Ready to join us? View details of upcoming Leadership Institutes:

  • Leadership Institute

    Wisconsin Summer Leadership Institute & Development Program

    Jul 12, 2026

     – Jul 17, 2026

    Green Bay, WI

  • Leadership Institute

    The Summer 2026 Leadership Institute

    Jul 26, 2026

     – Jul 31, 2026

    Pittsburgh, PA

  • Leadership Institute

    Wisconsin Fall Leadership Institute & Development Program

    Oct 25, 2026

     – Oct 30, 2026

    Eau Claire, WI

  • Leadership Institute

    The Fall 2026 Leadership Institute

    Nov 15, 2026

     – Nov 20, 2026

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

There are no Leadership Institutes scheduled at this time. Please subscribe to our newsletter to get updated when new events are announced.

Investment in Leadership = Investment in Lives

When you invest in developing leaders, you’re investing in better outcomes for people with IDD. Strong leaders create cultures of dignity and choice. They implement person-directed practices. They advocate for systemic change, and they inspire others to do the same.

Your participation in a Leadership Institute creates ripple effects:

  • You grow: Increased confidence and effectiveness
  • Your organization transforms: Better retention, stronger culture, improved services
  • Systems change: Cross-organizational collaboration advancing the field
  • Lives improve: More choice, control, and dignity for people with IDD

What Graduates Say

  • “[NLCDD] is absolutely amazing. They created an innovative and effective environment for learning. I am walking away from this week with a renewed sense of purpose as well as a new set of skills that I know will be incredibly impactful.”
    Karly Marriott
    Summer Leadership Institute Graduate
  • “I came into the Leadership Institute feeling hopeful to learn new skills. I left feeling confident and with clear goals and visioning for not only my future, but the future of the agency I work for.”
    Aleisha Burta
    Virtual Canadian Leadership Institute Graduate
  • “The Institute is a melting pot of creativity and innovation where good ideas are born. The lifelong connections I made are something I will be forever grateful for.”
    Garry Fay
    Virtual Canadian Leadership Institute Graduate
  • “After working in this field for 20 years, the Leadership Institute provided an awesome reset. It opened my eyes to areas we may have gotten a bit stagnant!“
    Caroline Applebee
    Winter Leadership Institute Graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

Leadership Institutes welcome professionals at all levels working in the IDD field—from direct support professionals to CEOs. Many work at advocacy or provider organizations, while we also welcome attendees from government offices, IDD councils, managed care organizations, provider associations, and other organizations relevant to the IDD field. What matters most is your commitment to creating positive change for people with IDD and your readiness to grow as a leader.

Leadership Institutes are multi-day intensive programs. Our in-person Institutes run for one week (5 days), while our virtual Institutes take place over four weeks, with two four-hour sessions each week. Prior to each Institute, participants submit assessments and surveys about their leadership skills and their organization. Reading three leadership books—The Leadership Challenge, by James Kouzes and Barry Posner; Good to Great and the Social Sectors, by Jim Collins; and Leading Change by John Cotter—is encouraged, but not required.

Although there is no commitment expected after the program, participants have continued access to their cohort and the entire Leadership Consortium network through our online community. In addition, participants have access to NLCDD staff and Leadership Institute speakers as they implement their leadership challenge plan and work toward their personal leadership goals.

The cost of attending a Leadership Institute varies greatly, depending on sponsorship funding and early bird registration. Each investment includes Institute participation, materials, most meals, and lifetime access to our alumni network and resources. Scholarships are always available to participants with disabilities and direct support professionals (DSPs).

Depending on the Institute, there may also be support available for state leaders through the NASDDDS Gary Smith Scholarship. Group rates may be available for organizations sending four staff members, especially with a commitment to attend multiple Institutes over time. Some organizations also budget for this as essential professional development. Please visit the page for each Institute for specific rate information.

We understand that things come up! Once you confirm your attendance, you will be responsible for paying all associated fees for the Leadership Institute. We will accept cancellations up to six weeks before the start of the Leadership Institute (we require written notice), and fees will be refunded minus a $300 processing fee. Alternatively, we encourage you to defer your attendance to a later date or substitute an appropriate colleague to attend in your place to waive the processing fee.

Cancellations are not accepted within six weeks of the Leadership Institute, however we understand that emergencies happen, so we will work with you to defer or you are welcome to find a colleague to come in your replacement. Deferrals, replacements, and no-shows will be charged the full cost of attendance.

Absolutely! Many organizations find value in sending multiple staff members over time to build internal leadership capacity and create a shared leadership language. We welcome up to four staff members from the same organization to our Leadership Institutes, which we find benefits both the your organization and the Institute dynamic.

Leadership isn’t about your title—it’s about your ability to create change. We welcome anyone in the IDD field who is ready to increase their impact, regardless of their current role.

Both formats provide the same transformational curriculum and outcomes. Virtual institutes offer greater accessibility and flexibility, while in-person programs provide additional networking opportunities. Choose the format that works best for you.

Click here to learn more about upcoming Leadership Institutes and apply to join us!

Yes! Sponsors include foundations, developmental disability councils, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies. Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits and become a sponsor.

Leadership Institute Changemakers by the Numbers

of graduates report that attending the Leadership Institute contributed to their personal impact as a leader
Of graduates report that attending the Leadership Institute contributed to changes that improved their organizations
Of graduates report that attending the Leadership Institute contributed to changes improving the lives of people with disabilities

Based on 20-year longitudinal study of Leadership Institute graduates