Responding to an immediate and growing need to strengthen not-for-profit leadership within the LeadingAge membership, the Larry Minnix Leadership Academy was launched in 2006. More than a decade later, the Academy has helped propel its over 400 alumni to advance the field of aging services by serving on state and national boards, presenting at conferences across the country and stepping into a high-profile leadership roles.

Unlike many leadership programs that focus on building a core skillset for new leaders or are geared toward nurturing a specific career path for “emerging” leaders, the Leadership Academy is designed to develop the leadership capacities and core competencies of aging services professionals across the continuum of care and services. The program emphasizes self-awareness and relationship-building to tap into an individual’s natural talents and uncover their authentic leadership style, irrespective of their professional experience, job title or type of position within an organization.

The Academy’s year-long, graduate-level curriculum unfolds over five in-person experiences and monthly virtual gatherings. It provides a broad understanding of leadership theory and practice through multiple program components, including exposure to:

• A foundation of leadership knowledge that Fellows can draw from to identify, grow and have the confidence to leverage their own leadership abilities.
• Innovative organizations and the people responsible for transforming care and service delivery in our field.
• Diverse perspectives from seasoned leaders and colleagues in the field to foster a deeper understanding of issues facing aging services providers.

In addition, during the program year, Fellows begin working toward the implementation of a program or practice that will help advance an innovation or improvement within their organizations (or the aging services field).