September 29, 2023 TALI Announces National Executive Leadership Academy

The Advanced Leadership Institute and Carnegie Mellon University expand Executive Leadership Academy nationally to boost Black leadership.

PITTSBURGH — The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) is pleased to announce that its signature program, the Executive Leadership Academy, delivered in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is expanding nationally! As this year marks the five-year milestone of the Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), this expansion is an exciting next step for the Institute.   

“I am encouraged and awed by the fact that this endeavor that we embarked upon five years ago has been so successful and is positively impacting our participants, their companies, and the broader community,” says Evan Frazier, president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute. “The Executive Leadership Academy has been instrumental in addressing an important need to promote Black leadership diversity, and we are eager to continue building on this critical work through the National program.”   

The National Executive Leadership Academy is a competitive program administered in partnership with CMU’s Tepper School of Business to prepare Black leaders from across the country for national and global executive advancement. This will include leaders with at least 10 years of work experience in the corporate, nonprofit, government, or entrepreneurial sectors in any US market. While The National Academy will have the same powerful punch as the Executive Leadership Academy, it will be delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate participants from different cities and regions. Programming will include three months of online instruction, plus two, one-week in-person sessions at CMU in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Additionally, cohort members in this program will receive intense training on various topics, such as “Defining Your Leadership Brand,” “Resilience for Executives of Color,” “Global Management and Strategy,” “Building Networks of Influence,” and much more.   

The Executive Leadership Academy has seen tremendous success over the past five years. Each year, experienced Black leaders are selected to participate in this world-class executive education program. The Executive Leadership Academy is unmatched in its approach, addressing the unique challenges that Black professionals face in the workplace. Annually, it provides academic instruction from renowned academic and industry experts. In addition, cohort members benefit from executive mentors and executive coaches to help them obtain real-world applications of the information they are learning through the program.   

TALI recently launched its inaugural National Executive Leadership Academy Cohort, adding 16 highly talented individuals to its growing network. Since TALI’s inception, 180 professionals have completed one of the two leadership programs—the Executive Leadership Academy or Emerging Leaders Program. Of these 180 professionals, 130 are Executive Leadership Academy alumni. As of 2022, approximately 90% of Executive Leadership Academy alumni expressed personal and professional growth as a leader after completing a TALI program. Additionally, 87% of the 2019 and 96% of the 2020 alumni were promoted or assumed higher responsibilities within a 2-year period. Through the National Executive Leadership Academy, TALI will aim to maintain and build upon these successes.   

“Since TALI’s inception, all our participants have had an incredibly positive experience,” says Haakan Jonsson, Chairman and President, Covestro; TALI Corporate CEO Council Member. “Through the Executive Leadership Academy’s unique approach to Black professional development, our employees are equipped with the resources to navigate and advance in their own career journeys, as well as empowered and inspired to realize their full potential at Covestro. As a long-standing partner, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer this experience to our employees outside of the region through the national program.”   

“We are continuously inspired by our partnership with TALI. The Executive Leadership Academy reinforces our commitment to corporate diversity by allowing us to engage and retain Black talent. Through the introduction of the National program, we will be able to continue making a great impact, both nationally and globally,” says Nicole Theophilus, EVP & CHRO, Wabtec Corporation; TALI CHRO Council Member.   

“We are excited that our ongoing commitment to TALI has yielded such great results. This persistent effort to build diversity and inclusive leadership is an important key to our company’s success,” says Eric Boughner, Chairman of BNY Mellon Pennsylvania and Chair of the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania; TALI Vice Chair. “The National Executive Leadership Academy allows TALI to deepen its impact and broaden its reach.”   

The National Executive Leadership Academy will be in session from August through December 2023. To learn more about the National Executive Leadership Academy, visit: https://taliinstitute.org/leadership-programs-2/executive-leadership-academy-national/.  

About The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)   
The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute is to cultivate Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities. Its primary focus is to educate, develop, connect, and position Black leaders for executive advancement. TALI has a portfolio of leadership programs, which include the Executive Leadership Academy (a program for Black leaders with at least 10 years of work experience in corporate, nonprofit, government or entrepreneurial sectors); an Emerging Leaders Program (addressing the needs of Black leaders with a minimum of 3-5 years of professional work experience); ongoing programming and support for TALI alumni; and now the National Executive Leadership Academy (an expansion of the signature Executive Leadership Academy).   

The Advanced Leadership Institute is supported by major corporations and foundations including Founding Underwriters: BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Highmark Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation; Excellence Partners: Henry L. Hillman Foundation and Highmark; Lead Contributors: BNY Mellon, Eden Hall Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments. Presenting Sponsors: Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC. Gold Sponsors: American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Ground, FHLBank Pittsburgh, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec Corporation; Silver Sponsors: Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition; and Bronze Sponsors, which can be found on TALI’s website.    

To learn more about The Advanced Leadership Institute, visit www.taliinstitute.org

Subscribe to Industry Today