Program Overview
This two-day executive education program is designed for rising mid-career professionals who are ready to sharpen their leadership skills, grow their strategic thinking, and connect with other ambitious professionals across West Michigan.
Whether you’re eyeing your next role or refining your leadership style, this hands-on learning experience will provide you with actionable tools, industry insights, and a lasting network of peers.
Presented by Western Michigan University, this program blends the expertise of faculty and insights from industry leaders to deliver relevant, research-informed content tailored to the challenges of today’s mid-level leaders.
Program Details
October 9 to 10, 2025
WMU Grand Rapids (downtown campus)
200 Ionia Ave SW
At this two-day, in-person experience, you can expect to:
- Forge meaningful professional connections through built-in networking opportunities
- Earn a Credly digital badge
- Secure one credit towards WMU's MBA program, should you decide to enroll
Additionally, you will be invited to two virtual follow-up meetings with a WMU faculty member in the six months following the event. These sessions are designed to:
- Help you reflect on what you learned
- Support your application of leadership strategies to real-world challenges
- Sustain connections and momentum within the cohort
Each session throughout the program is grounded in real-world leadership challenges—from managing up and down, to navigating conflict, to leading through complexity. You will also develop a personal leadership development plan to guide your next career moves.
Who Should Participate
This experience is ideal for professionals who:
- Have at least three to five years of professional experience
- Manage people or lead projects, teams, or initiatives
- Are committed to personal and professional growth
- Want to network and connect with like-minded rising leaders
- Enjoy intensive, hands-on learning experiences
- Aim to develop advanced leadership skills like strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and effective communication
Whether you’re already leading others or preparing to take that next step, this program is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow into where you want to be.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:
- Apply strategic thinking frameworks to complex leadership challenges
- Strengthen your emotional intelligence and communication skills
- Develop confidence through reflection, practice, and real-time feedback
- Build trust and manage relationships across all organizational levels
- Craft a personal leadership development plan aligned with your goals
- Explore ways to build your executive presence and begin crafting your professional leadership brand
Registration fee: $999
(early bird pricing of $899 through August 15)
Includes all sessions, materials, continental breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and a Credly digital badge.
Meet Your Facilitators
Jennifer Bott
Dr. Jennifer Bott brings over two decades of leadership experience to her role as Professor of Management at Western Michigan University. As a seasoned executive and facilitator, she has guided organizations through complex change initiatives and cultural transformations that measurably increased employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. In her previous executive roles, including Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Michigan University and Dean of the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, Dr. Bott successfully led strategic planning processes that aligned institutional vision with measurable outcomes. Her consulting work spans both corporate and non-profit sectors, where she has established a track record of fostering high-performing, connected teams through evidence-based approaches to organizational development and human resource management.
Jim Eckert
Dr. Jim Eckert, the Robert S. Kaiser Professor of Sales, specializes in the creation and delivery of theoretically grounded education programs that build real, actionable skills. Since 2000, he has led the award-winning Sales & Business Marketing Program at WMU which has launched the careers of over 3,000 proud Broncos. Dr. Eckert directs the German Business & Culture study abroad experience that brings together students from WMU and three partner universities in Germany to build skills in negotiation, business communication, and cultural fluency. He has additional international experience teaching in Germany, Taiwan, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Dr. Eckert founded the training firm, PartnerBuilding, in 1998, and has delivered sales, negotiation, and leadership training to over 50 companies. This experience keeps the link between his academic and professional life fully engaged.
Adrienne Fraaza
Adrienne Fraaza is a seasoned higher education professional with extensive experience at Western Michigan University, where she currently serves as the Senior Program Manager for Professional Development Programs. In this role, she leads professional and executive education initiatives, collaborates with academic units to develop customized training solutions, and creates customized training programs for external partners. She facilitates learning experiences using tools like CliftonStrengths, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, and the Enneagram, with a focus on creating space for reflection, growth, and collaboration. Her approach focuses on a commitment to practical, people-centered development.
Questions?
Contact Adrienne Fraaza at @email or (269) 387-4223.