Next month, we’ll welcome the first intake of talented individuals into our Aspiring Leaders program. New for 2025, the initiative is part of ACD’s newly formed Leadership Institute, established to deliver the key skills helping our members fulfill their career ambitions.
Alongside Aspiring Leaders, we’re also excited to introduce an Executive Leaders program. Both build on the success of our already thriving Emerging Leaders program, while guiding candidates through very different points of their professional journeys.
These two new programs aim to help promising professionals cultivate their leadership skills and prepare them for the next stages of their careers in chemical distribution. The ultimate goal is for graduates to transition from one program to another. So, as your career progresses, the training does, too.
After 10 years of a successful Emerging Leaders program, we’ve learned that going through these kinds of programs with a cohort of likeminded peers is a unique experience. Not only are these future leaders learning specific skills essential for personal and professional growth in our industry, but they walk away with their very own advisory council – a group of people they can call on for the rest of their careers as sounding boards and advisers.
Aspiring Leaders are one to four years into their career and have already demonstrated an aptitude for management. This program sets the foundation for growth, offering a carefully curated mix of in-person and virtual sessions. Participants will gain invaluable insight and input from operational speakers and industry experts, helping them build essential skills for their leadership journey.
Our hope is that those completing the Aspiring Leaders program will continue their development by participating in our Emerging Leaders two-year program, which is designed for those with five to seven years of industry experience.
From there, graduates can advance to the Executive Leadership program, where they will engage with senior leaders and subject matter experts to deepen their strategic thinking and decision-making skills. This seamless progression across the programs ensures that as our members’ careers evolve, they have continuous access to leadership development opportunities that build on one another, fostering long-term growth and success.
Together, these programs will create a powerful pipeline of talent, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to meet the challenges ahead with confidence and vision. As our industry evolves, so too will our leadership. We look forward to seeing how our new cohorts will shape the future of the industry and set new standards for excellence in leadership for years to come.
To find out more about the Leadership Institute and our new educational offerings, visit the webpage. Alumni can also connect to the Programs’ dedicated LinkedIn group for news, updates, and resources by contacting Kate Wiggins, Leadership Program Facilitator at ACD directly via email at kwiggins@acd-chem.com.
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