Marsellus Executive Development Program

• Executive Directors of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations serving residents of Onondaga or Madison counties

• The curriculum runs for six months from October through April and entails:
  • Monthly one-and-a-half-hour coaching sessions
  • Monthly three-hour peer learning sessions
  • Monthly three-hour group-led processing meetings
• Participants are expected to attend every monthly meeting and individual coaching session and be open to exploring ways to enhance their individual leadership skills.
• A total time investment of approximately 8-10 hours per month is required.

• The program’s grant application deadline typically falls within mid-July each year.
  • MEDP is not being offered in 2023.
• A small group of individuals is selected for this program.
• Applicants should demonstrate they are ready to enhance their capacity for leadership, make changes in their work performance, and use a coaching process and peer-learning group to achieve maximum impact in their organization.

• 360 degree assessment – identifies individual strengths and opportunities
• Individual coaching sessions – requires a significant investment of time and open-mindedness
• Peer Learning sessions – Participants identify topics of interest as a group. Topic examples include:
  • Leading in dynamic times
  • Developing your strengths as a leader
  • Recognizing and combating burnout
  • Executive/board chair relationships
  • Enabling others to act
  • Knowing your limits, managing time, and lessening stress
  • Succession Planning/Business Continuity
• Group-led processing meetings

“This training is imperative for our community. Being with fellow executive directors helped build my confidence because I learned that my peers are dealing with similar and many times, sensitive, issues. The MEDP provided a confidential forum to learn from each other and to share best practices.”

“I got to spend time and develop relationships with a group of leaders that I learned to trust, and who provided support in ways that can only come from peers. This was an amazing opportunity to strengthen existing skills and build new ones. It was completely worth the investment of time and energy. I’m excited for the next group of participants.”

“An incredibly valuable experience which I highly recommend. We were able to gain insight and knowledge as well as develop supportive relationships which enabled growth not only professionally but personally. We built such a strong support network of great professionals that we utilize now after the sessions are over!”