The Executive Leadership Program is a comprehensive, hands-on program dedicated to developing extraordinary leaders of the future. Each session is carefully crafted with a blend of lectures, panel discussions, peer to peer tabletop exercises and specific reading requirements that enable participants to apply concepts learned to real-life business challenges. Ideal candidates are mid to upper-level managers of both for profit and nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, sole proprietors and small business owners, as well as key employees who are being developed by their employers for future senior leadership positions.
About the Program
The program is organized into five modules that are scheduled between January and May 2025. These sessions will cover a set of interrelated topics that are critical to the success of executives in organizations of all kinds, including large and small for-profit companies, governmental agencies, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. Each module is led by executives with many years of senior-level, real-world experience. Sessions employ a variety of tools and activities to engage participants, including reading assignments, presentations, individual and group exercises, panel discussions, and, in the case of the Executive Communication module, recording and individual coaching.
Managing Yourself: Wednesday, January 7 and 22
Strategic Planning and Execution: Wednesday, February 4 and 18
Executive Communication: Wednesday, March 4 and 18
Managing for Success: Wednesday, April 8 and 22
Human Resources in Today’s Environment: Wednesday, May 6 and 20
*Sessions take place 8am to 12pm unless otherwise specified, at various locations across Dutchess County.
Tuition is $2,500 and covers all sessions, materials, and light fare. For consideration of tuition, please review the Charles S. North Leadership Advancement Scholarship information at dcrcoc.org/scholarships. Applicants will be required to complete a candidate profile and from their employer, a candidate nomination form. Acceptance into the program will be determined once all applications are reviewed. Enrollment is limited.
Applicants must complete a candidate profile and their employer a candidate nomination form – see links below to apply.
A limited number of scholarships for Executive Leadership candidates are available through the Charles S. North Leadership Advancement Scholarship. Please read the guidelines below for more information. Please email completed essays to foundation@chamberfdn.org.
*The submission deadline for 2026 is December 5, 2025.
Charles S. North Leadership Advancement Scholarship
In recognition of the outstanding leadership of Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Past President and CEO Charles S. North, a scholarship was established in 2014 upon his retirement.
Awarded to any individual living or working in Dutchess County, the Charles S. North Leadership Advancement Scholarship signifies Mr. North’s commitment to inspiring and mentoring leaders across the region.
To apply, fill out the Executive Leadership Application and check the box for “Charles S. North Leadership Advancement Scholarship”. To qualify you must meet the following criteria:
- Live or work in Dutchess County or for a member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- Attach a 500-word essay expressing how the program will help you advance your professional career. Incorporate your sentiments on what defines a great leader. In your essay, articulate in 100 additional words the financial need for the scholarship.
- Applicant's employer must be a member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- You must establish a financial need and desire to participate in the program.
*Full and/or partial scholarships will be awarded.
Co-Chair, Tina Ludwig - Hudson Valley Credit Union
Co-Chair, Adam Simpson - Nationwide Mortgage Bankers
Salvatore Calta, Jr. - Calta Consulting, Inc.
Cheryl Bowers - Rondout Savings Bank
Erin Cafarelli - Children's Home of Poughkeepsie
William Francis - Fortress Financial Advisory, LLC
Jennifer Howland - iRelaunch
Steve Lant - Retired Executive
Christina Myers - Hudson Valley Hospice
Robyn Williams - Hudson Valley Credit Union
2026 Executive Leadership Application
Please fill out both forms below:
*Please note both forms are required to be considered for admission.
Application Deadline: December 3, 2025
Testimonials
"At Peckham Industries, developing mastery is one of our values and is an essential skill. The Executive Leadership program run by The Chamber Foundation has been excellent in providing insights and best practices for our leaders to develop mastery. Our leaders learn from seasoned faculty who know the region very well and leverage best practices from other organizations. One key benefit for leaders participating in the program is developing an outside-in approach for addressing today’s challenges in the communities these leaders serve."
-Anand Sud, Vice President and CHRO, Peckham Industries Inc.
"The Executive Leadership experience has provided me with a valuable, realistic, and professional skill set I can prioritize into my future. Equipped with some new perspectives, especially in overall business and project management, I'm grateful for the engagement opportunities and dynamic panel discussions. I feel like I'm not walking away from this class - I'm just walking in a different direction with supportive folks to call on as professional colleagues and mentors. I've already been able to put strategies into practice well before this class was over".
-Jessica Dickinson, Pathfinder Foundation
Past Executive Leadership Classes
Questions?
Feel free to send us an email or give us a call at
(845) 454-1700 Ext. 1000
Executive Leadership Sponsors
