Executive Leadership Program
Program Fee: Members - $9,995 / Nonmembers - $11,995

The Executive Leadership Program is designed for experienced professionals with at least 5+ years of experience, during which they have demonstrated responsibility for cross-functional leadership and/or strategy-level decision-making in the distilled spirits industry. The certificate will build upon your leadership skills and develop your ability to communicate strategy, negotiate skillfully, influence team behaviors, and deliver results. The program will ensure you have the right blend of soft skills and a strategic mindset to achieve performance outcomes at your company. Participation in this program is not contingent upon completing the Developing Leadership Program.

2024 Required Program Components:

March 3-6, 2024	Introductory Session (At DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! in-Person) March 3 - Cohort Receptions 5-7:00 PM March 4 - Cohort Sessions 9-3:00 PM March 4-6 DISCUS Conference Content (conference registration and hotel cost included in program fee)
March 29, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET	Type Indicator Workshop + University of Kentucky Intro Call (3.5 hrs)
March 29 - April 26	University of Kentucky Class #1 – Strategic Planning
April 26, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET	Self-Motivation, Accountability, & Self-Help + University of Kentucky Cohort Call #1 (3.5 hrs)
April 26 - May 17	University of Kentucky Class 2: Competitor Analysis
May 17, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET	Cultivating Intrapreneurship & Innovation + University of Kentucky Cohort Call #2 (3.5 hrs)
May 17 - June 28	University of Kentucky Class 3: M&A/ Change Management
June 7, 2024 1-5:00 PM ET	Conversations of Race & Allyship in the Workplace (2 hrs) Feedback, How to Give and How to Receive (2 hrs)
June 28, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	University of Kentucky Cohort Call for class #3 (1.5 hrs)
June 28 - July 26	University of Kentucky Class 4: Managing Organizational Culture
July 26, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	University of Kentucky Cohort Call for class #4 (1.5 hrs)
July 26 - August 23	University of Kentucky Class 5: Motivation at Work
August 23, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	University of Kentucky Class Cohort Call for class #5 (1.5 hrs)
September 13, 2024 1-5:00 PM ET	Managing Unconscious Bias (3 hrs) Team Building-Values Discovery & Alignment (1 hr)
Sept. 22 - 25	In-person Leadership Retreat and Graduation (mandatory)

2024 Program Deliverables

• University of Kentucky Leadership Program Certificate
• DISCUS Academy Leadership Certificate
• Predictive Index Report & Content
• Leading with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program
• DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! (registration, hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Leadership Retreat (hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Connected and engaged cohort
• Better understanding of the self
• Tools to develop skilled leadership

Developing Leadership Program
Program Fee: Members - $6,995 / Nonmembers - $8,995

The Developing Leadership Program is designed for any professional with an interest in growing their leadership skills. This program will transform early-stage managers into true leaders, by learning your leadership style, developing interpersonal skills, and understanding how to build and manage a high-performance team. Entrepreneurs, new managers, and employees with limited management experience are encouraged to apply.

2024 Program Components:

March 3-6, 2024	Introductory Session (At DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! in-Person) March 3 - Cohort Receptions 5-7:00 PM March 4 - Cohort Sessions 9-3:00 PM March 5 - DISCUS Conference Content (conference registration and hotel cost included in program fee)
March 22, 2024 1-4:00 PM ET	Type Indicator Workshop (3 hrs)
March 27- April 9	Cornell Class #1 – Active Listening & Processing Feedback
April 19, 2024 1-3:00 PM ET	C-Suite Insights and Culture + Active Listening Cohort Call (2 hrs)
May 3, 2024 1-3:00 PM ET	Stress and Health as a Leader (2 hrs)
May 8 - May 21	Cornell Class #2 – Electives: The Psychology of Getting Things Done Coaching Skills for Leaders Leading for Creativity & Innovation
May 31, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	Cohort Call
June 5 - June 18	Cornell Class #3 – Electives: Preparing for the Future Negotiation Skills Creating Advantage Through Entrepreneurial Thinking
June 20, 2024 3-4:30 PM ET	Cohort Call for class #3
June 19 - July 2 or July 3 - July 16	Cornell Class #4 - Applying Strategic Influence
July 19, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET	Cornell Cohort Call + Dare to Lead Leadership Training (Part 1)
July 31 - Aug 13	Cornell Class #5 - Becoming a Powerful Leader
August 16, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET September 6, 2024 1-4:00 PM ET	Cornell Cohort Call + Dare to Lead Leadership Training (Part 2 and Part 3)
Sept. 22 -25	In-person Leadership Retreat and Graduation (mandatory)

2024 Program Deliverables

• Cornell Leadership Program Certificate
• DISCUS Academy Leadership Certificate
• Dare to Lead Certificate of Completion
• Personality Type Indicator Report
• DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! (registration, hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Leadership Retreat (hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Connected and engaged cohort
• Better understanding of the self
• Tools to develop skilled leadership

Developing Women Leadership Program
In Collaboration with Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS)
Program Fee: Members - $6,995 / WOTVS Members - $6,995 / Nonmembers - $8,995

Why did WOTVS & DISCUS Academy collaborate on this program?
Creating places where participants can learn with their professional peers in a setting that encourages women to take risks and collaborate, much of which occurs as the result of women connecting with each other around shared experiences. Women often naturally have leadership traits that will help address the challenges organizations face. Learning to develop and embrace those traits may happen more quickly in a supportive environment.

The Developing Women Leadership Program is designed for professionals with an interest in growing their individual skills and cultivating and fostering women leaders. This program will transform early-stage managers into true leaders, by learning your leadership style, developing interpersonal skills, and understanding how to build and manage a high-performance team. Entrepreneurs, new managers, and employees with limited management experience are encouraged to apply. For those interested in this level of leadership programming without a focus on the unique issues facing women the Developing Leadership program is an excellent alternative.


2024 Program Components:

March 3-6, 2024	Introductory Session (At DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! in Person) March 3 - Cohort Receptions 5-7:00 PM March 4 - Cohort Sessions 9-3:00 PM March 5 - DISCUS Conference Content (conference registration and hotel cost included in program fee)
March 21, 2024 1-4:00 PM ET	Type Indicator Workshop (3 hrs)
March 27 - April 9	Cornell Class #1 Navigating the Double Bind
April 18, 2024 1-4:00 PM ET	C-Suite Insights & Stress and Health as a Leader + Navigating the Double Bind Cohort Call (3 hrs)
May 2, 2024 1-3:00 PM ET May 9, 2024 1-3:00 PM ET	P & L Responsibility (4 hrs)
May 8 - May 21	Cornell Class #2 - Electives: The Psychology of Getting Things Done Coaching Skills for Leaders Applying Strategic Influence
May 30, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	Cohort Call for class#2 Elective Discussion + Kicking off Class #3 (1.5 hrs)
June 5 - June 18	Cornell Class #3 – Electives: Negotiation Skills Leading for Creativity & Innovation Creating Advantage Through Entrepreneurial Thinking
June 20, 2024 1-2:30 PM ET	Cohort Call for class #3
June 19 - July 2 or July 3 - July 16	Cornell Class #4 - Giving and Receiving Feedback
July 18, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET	Cornell Cohort Call + Dare to Lead Leadership Training Part 1 (3.5 hrs)
July 31 - August 13	Cornell Class #5 - Becoming a Powerful Leader
August 15, 2024 1-4:30 PM ET September 5, 2024 1-4:00 PM ET	Cornell Cohort Call + Dare to Lead Leadership Training Part 2 (3.5 hrs) and Part 3 (3 hrs)
Sept. 22 - 25	In-person Leadership Retreat and Graduation (mandatory)

2024 Program Deliverables

• Cornell Leadership Program Certificate
• DISCUS Academy Leadership Certificate
• Dare to Lead Certificate of Completion
• Personality Type Indicator Report
• P&L Training
• DISCUS Conference/Women of the Vine & Spirits Global CONNECT! (registration, hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Leadership Retreat (hotel and meals included in program fee)
• Connected and engaged cohort
• Better understanding of the self
• Tools to develop skilled leadership

NEW in 2024:
We have made a change in 2024 based on feedback, and we will now offer an in-person experience at the beginning of the program. This component will help set the stage for starting the program and then bookend the learning experience with the Leadership Retreat at the end. The kick-off will be at the DISCUS Annual Conference / WOTVS Global CONNECT! scheduled in March, which includes a day of content ahead of the conference program.

Your registration, hotel and meals are covered with your Leadership program fee in addition to the hotel and meals for the Leadership Retreat in the fall. Transportation to the Conference and Retreat are the only costs not covered, due to varying prices. Both the Conference and Retreat in-person components are required to complete the program.

Application Dates:
Applications are now open for the 2024 Leadership Program.

Early Deadline: December 11, 2023 - $50 application fee
Final Deadline: January 15, 2024 - $75 application fee
*If accepted, the application fee will be applied to the program cost.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59pm ET, January 15, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than January 31, 2024.

Applicants will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership potential, initiative and commitment to the industry.
• Those who are emerging leaders seeking opportunities to grow and develop.
• Applicants should be prepared to engage in self-reflection and introspective work required by this course and be prepared to put their leadership commitment into action following the program.
• Only candidates who commit to the involvement and participation in the entire program will be considered.
• In selection, we seek diversity in all aspects to enrich the cohort with diverse opinions and experiences.

In addition, for Executive Leadership Certificate Program:

• 5+ years management experience
• Demonstrated responsibility for cross-functional leadership and/or strategy-level decision-making

DISCUS Academy is committed to upholding the principles of diversity and equality in all areas of its work, seeking to ensure that all participants and other stakeholders are treated fairly and equally at all times. In accordance with this policy, women, minorities, people with disabilities, people of all genders, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please click on the application below. You will first be directed to pay the application fee before accessing the application.