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LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
EMPOWERING THE
TAX-EXEMPT SECTOR

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

DESIGNED TO ELEVATE LEADERSHIP IN THE TAX-EXEMPT SECTOR

 

EXPAND YOUR IMPACT WITH STRONGER LEADERSHIP

For nearly 80 years, Lake Forest has been shaping leaders who drive change, strengthen communities, and inspire growth. In partnership with The Charmm’d Foundation, this legacy continues through our Leadership Academy for leaders who are dedicated to mission-driven work. These programs are crafted specifically for you and your organization’s unique needs in the tax-exempt sector.

Lake Forest and the Charmm’d Foundation share the belief that developing exceptional leaders not only benefits organizations, but also strengthens communities for a better future. Whether you’re just beginning your leadership path or are ready to take your career to the next level, we offer personalized development to build the skills that truly matter.

Plus, through the Charmm’d Foundation Scholarship endowment, we proudly offer financial support to leaders in tax-exempt organizations*.

 

LEADERSHIP IGNITE

Leadership Ignite is all about laying a strong foundation of leadership skills. This track is designed to help you develop a deep understanding of yourself and others while driving meaningful change. By combining reflective exercises and collaborative learning, this program equips individuals to navigate challenges they may face as they foster trust within their teams and create lasting value for their organizations and communities. Areas of focus include:

  • Communicating with DiSC
  • Understanding Yourself
  • Developing Others
  • Leading the Team
  • Advancing the Mission

Your Commitment

This live virtual program begins April 2, 2025, and has twice-monthly sessions until August 20. Participants will experience cohort learning that consists of five interactive learning sessions and a personal development package that includes a DiSC Assessment, Peer Advisory Groups led by Lake Forest Center for Leadership Mentors, and bonus sessions.

This program is supported by limited scholarships from the Charmm’d Foundation Scholarship endowment. The 2025 scholarships have been awarded.

LEADERSHIP ASCEND

COMING IN 2026 — For those ready to advance their leadership to the next level, Leadership Ascend helps you build the self-awareness and resilience needed to lead strategically as a seasoned leader. You’ll gain new perspectives, develop essential skills, and rise to meet complex challenges. Areas of focus include:

  • Self-Awareness
  • Battling Burnout
  • Strategic Perspectives
  • Having Key Conversations

Participants of the Leadership Ignite track will have priority registration for this following track featuring all new content and beginning in early 2026.

ABOUT THE CHARMM’D FOUNDATION

The Charmm’d Foundation‘s mission focused on “The People Side of Leadership.” Since 2005, the foundation served thousands of community leaders by offering specialized services tailored to empower leaders of tax-exempt organizations. From the beginning, the foundation’s team knew they would be closing their doors in 2024 and planned accordingly to ensure a legacy of resources, community, and this scholarship opportunity with Lake Forest.

To learn more from the Charmm’d Foundation staff as they reflect on the foundation’s work, please download their free e-book here: It’s Been a Charmm’d Life

* For the purposes of these scholarships, a qualified tax-exempt organization is a municipal or local government, or organizations operated for charitable, community development, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. A tax-exempt organization whose purpose is to support professionals engaged in for-profit businesses or industries (such as professional associations for a specific industry) is not a qualified organization for these scholarships.