2025-2026 Engineering Leadership Academy

Description

Engineering Leadership Academy (ELA) is a nine-month intensive leadership development course designed for leadership-track employees who are experienced in managing projects and people and who are being considered for higher-level leadership roles within their firm (such as principal, officer, practice leader, etc.) The course is focused on expanding their perspective from the day-to-day, nuts-and-bolts of managing to the big picture, strategic thinking required to lead a firm, department, or practice area. Each ELA class is carefully chosen on the basis of qualifications by a selection committee and is strictly limited to 24 participants in order to better facilitate collegiality, dialogue, and engaged hands-on learning.

HOW IS ELA DIFFERENT FROM THE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM?

ACEC Georgia's Future Leaders Program (FLP) has been a highly successful and in-demand leadership program (there has been a waiting list for the past several years) focused on providing talented, technically focused employees with 5-10 years of experience with the tools to transition into program, project and people management. By contrast, ELA is focused on the transition from project and program management to upper-level firm leadership. You can think of the difference in terms of years (FLP = 5-10 years vs. ELA = 10-15 years) or in terms of FLP as the "undergraduate" course and ELA as the "graduate" course.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

The ideal participant is someone with 10-15 years of experience who is being groomed for a leadership or executive management role within their respective firm and who wants to increase his/her leadership potential and value to that firm. While not mandatory, strong preference will be given to alumni of ACEC Georgia's Future Leaders Program. There is also a limit of two participants per firm, with additional employees added to a waiting list.

HOW INDIVIDUALS BENEFIT:

• Gain a broader and more in-depth understanding of the business side of engineering - beyond simply managing and implementing to learning the ins and outs of strategically managing a business in a way that drives revenue, delivers efficiency and creates long-term sustainable financial value.
• Build a relationship with peer industry leaders who will help grow your professional network and positively impact your professional and personal life.
• Interact with industry leaders and gain new perspectives from real-life projects and group projects focused on navigating different business scenarios and market challenges.
• Take your leadership skills to the next level.

HOW FIRMS BENEFIT:

• Develop the next generation of leaders within your firm.
• Demonstrate your firm's commitment to career development and training.
• Reap the employee retention benefits of investing in your up-and-coming leaders
• Improve your firm's ability to meet market challenges and internal operations strategically.
• Employees gain a better understanding of how to nurture client relationships and navigate business challenges, maximizing your firm's overall business development and project management abilities.
• Invest in the next generation of your firm's leaders to help ensure the long-term success and value of your firm.

TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:

• Accounting
• Contract Negotiation Strategies
• Crisis Management/Scenario Planning
• Employment Law
• Financial Planning and Considerations
• Human Resources
• Leadership Development
• Leadership Transition
• Marketing
• Partnering & Teaming Strategies
• Political Advocacy
• Risk Management
• Sales / Business Development Strategies
• Strategic Planning

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications for the 2025-2026 class are now open. To apply for the program, click HERE. The kick-off retreat will be held from September 15-17, 2025 at Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Nine months. The program begins with a kick-off retreat at Lanier Islands from September 15-17, 2025, followed by four Learning Days, and ending with a day of project presentations, dinner, keynote, and graduation ceremony on May 19, 2026. All sessions are mandatory.

LEARNING DAYS:

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026
• Thursday, February 19, 2026
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Groups will also be given a course-long project in which they will be assigned a hypothetical business scenario to work through as a team. Each case is designed to challenge the groups to think strategically and make decisions on how to navigate the internal and external challenges and opportunities required to manage a successful business in the real world. Each group will deliver a final group presentation to a panel of industry leaders (who will challenge them on their choices and the reasons behind the decisions they made) at the fourth and final session.

COST OVERVIEW:

If selected to participate, the program cost is $3,800 per person for ACEC Georgia Members.

If you are interested in the program but not an ACEC Georgia member, please contact Chandler Baker at chandler.baker@acecga.org for more information.

The fee includes:

• All expenses related to the kick-off retreat (lodging, food, group activities, etc.)
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks/beverages on each Learning Day (4)
• Two tickets to the dinner and graduation ceremony (to be used for the participant and nominating principal; more tickets may be purchased for additional guests).