Home // professional development // talent development // Leaderes
LEADeres
What is LEADeres?
LEADeres is a six-month professional development experience for Latinx professionals who want to grow as leaders in their workplaces and communities. Through a series of workshops, coaching, and a capstone project, participants deepen their emotional intelligence, strengthen their leadership skills, and design solutions that create real impact in West Michigan.
Over six months, participants:
Complete five interactive workshops focused on leadership, emotional intelligence, and community and civic engagement.
Design and present a capstone project that uses human-centered design thinking and adaptive leadership tools to address a community or organizational challenge.
The result is a growing network of Latinx leaders who are ready to drive positive change across business, education, nonprofits, and public service in our region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does the program require?
LEADeres takes place over six months, from October through March. You can expect regular workshops, cohort sessions, and time to work on your capstone project. Many participants successfully balance LEADeres with full-time work by planning ahead with their supervisors and teams.
All LEADeres sessions occur on Fridays once a month for six months from 9:00am-5:00pm
Is there a cost to participate?
Program tuition is supported in part by our partners and sponsors. Limited participant fees or employer sponsorships may apply. Current tuition details and scholarship opportunities are listed in the application form or can be requested from our Talent Development team.
Do I need approval from my employer?
We strongly encourage participants to discuss LEADeres with their supervisor. Many employers view participation as professional development and may provide time or funding support. If needed, we can provide a program overview letter to share with your employer.
Is the program in English or Spanish?
LEADeres is primarily delivered in English, with space for Spanish and Spanglish as they naturally show up in conversation and community. Our facilitators and staff are culturally responsive and strive to create an environment where participants can fully be themselves.
Applications open in February with final selection in August. The program runs October-March.
Your leadership journey doesn’t have to wait for a title or a promotion. LEADeres gives you the tools, community, and confidence to create change right where you are.
