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Partners + FAQs

Thank you to our Elevate sponsors!

Headlining Partner

Venue Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Leader Valley a nonprofit organization? Yes! Leader Valley is a 501(c)(3). Our EIN is 45-3120883. All income generated through Elevate Leadership Academy and our Leadership Accelerators is used to fund the Leader in Me program in our Cedar Valley schools. This means that while you are refining and growing your leadership skills to bring back to your workplace, you are also directly supporting our PreK–12 students who are developing the leadership and employability skills they need to be the future leaders of your company.

How can I advocate for my participation in Elevate to my employer? We encourage you to share the Elevate Leadership Academy flier with your employer to educate them about the goals and advantages of the program. You may also refer your employer to our Executive Director, Dr. Melissa Reade, if they have specific questions or concerns. Melissa can be contacted at melissa@leadervalley.org.

What dates will Elevate Leadership Academy meet? Participants are asked to make every effort to attend all sessions. If you must miss one, advance notice is encouraged. Elevate participants will be allowed two absences for the duration of the Academy. Please note that the Elevate kickoff dinner, Session 1, and graduation are mandatory sessions. 2026–2027 Academy Schedule October 19, 2026: Elevate Kickoff Dinner (5:00 PM–8:00 PM) October 20, 2026: Session 1 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) November 17, 2026: Session 2 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) December 15, 2026: Session 3 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) January 19, 2027: Session 4 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) February 16, 2027: Session 5 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) March 9, 2027: Session 6 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) April 20, 2027: Session 7 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) May 18, 2027: Session 8 (7:30 AM–4:30 PM) May 20, 2027: Elevate Graduation (5:00 PM–7:00 PM) Session 6 will be held on the second Tuesday of the month due to spring break.

What is expected from me as an Elevate Leadership Academy participant? Elevate Leadership Academy participants commit to the following: Attend one full-day session each month for eight months. Participants are asked to make every effort to attend all sessions. If you must miss one, advance notice is encouraged. Elevate participants are allowed two absences for the duration of the Academy. The kickoff dinner, Session 1, and graduation are mandatory events. Attend one full-day Leadership Accelerator course of your choice. Attend the evening kickoff dinner on Monday, October 19, 2026 (5:00 PM–8:00 PM). Attend the graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 20, 2027 (5:00 PM–7:00 PM). Identify a mentor or manager who will be a thought partner with you. Complete pre-work between sessions. This may include light assigned reading, leadership assessments, individual work, connecting with your mentor/manager, or connecting with your Elevate Triad. Be present and engaged in Elevate sessions.

Are there scholarships available to help with tuition? Tuition cost should not prohibit an individual from benefitting from Elevate Leadership Academy. There are limited scholarships available that will offset the cost of participation. Participants eligible for the scholarship include those representing nonprofits, small businesses, entrepreneurs, underrepresented or marginalized communities, or K–12 educators. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, there will be a question in the application packet for you to complete.

Who created Elevate Leadership Academy? Elevate Leadership Academy was created in response to Cedar Valley Leadership Institute participants requesting more leadership training following their CVLI experience. It was developed with the support of Grow Cedar Valley. Elevate was planned by an incredible taskforce of Cedar Valley leaders representing a variety of industries in conjunction with the Leader Valley team. The founding team included: Kelsey Burke – VGM Stephanie Detweiler – Grow Cedar Valley Katie Hillyer – Wayne Communications Shantavia Parker – Leader Valley Kendra Richman – UnityPoint Health Kyle Roed – CPM Roskamp Shante Wallican-Nesbit – Collins Community Credit Union