Six Connecticut Professional Associations Team Up to Offer Leadership Academy

If you’re of the opinion that there is strength in numbers, then a new collaboration that includes some of the state’s leading professional associations is already off to a strong start. 

Six Connecticut professional membership associations – the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA), the Hartford County Bar Association, CFA Society Hartford, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals, and the Connecticut Bar Association – are teaming up to offer “The Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy.” 

The Academy, centered in Greater Hartford, will serve as a primary resource for emerging leaders by strengthening leadership skills, building relationships, cultivating talent, and creating a collaborative community among several professions for the next generation of Connecticut’s business leaders, according to organizers. 

Just launched, the Academy is quickly moving forward to develop its first class - interested individuals can apply to register at www.ctcpas.org/leadershipacademy. The deadline to apply for registration is November 15, 2019.

This six-month program aims to develop interdisciplinary leaders to help develop and improve their professions, their professional association groups, their companies, and their personal career growth.  Early- to mid-career professionals who are members of the sponsoring organizations and are seeking leadership training to propel them to the next level of their career are strongly encouraged to apply for the program. 

Organizers indicate that those who demonstrate leadership within their organization and have a passion for the betterment of their profession will benefit from this program. 

According to Connecticut Society of CPAs Executive Director Bonnie Stewart, “This program will provide our leaders of tomorrow with the leadership skill set they need today.  Every day, the members of the professions work more closely with one another as the landscape of mutual client service draws us together.  I’m truly excited at the virtually unlimited potential this program offers to its participants and, by extension, those whom they serve, and our own membership associations.”

Connecticut Bar Association Business Law Section Vice Chair Ken Larman highlighted the drive behind the new collaboration. 

“The opportunities to foster cross-professional leadership contacts and knowledge through the Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy may be unmeasurable,” Mr. Larman said. “It’s exciting that young attorneys, accountants, architects, financial analysts, and insurance professionals are brought together for leadership training to draw on their varying perspectives.  This is great for the Connecticut public.”     

Tuition has been set at $500 per participant, which includes seven sessions and a graduation ceremony, comprising 23 continuing professional education credits overall.  Dates for the Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy Academy’s inaugural program schedule have been set:

 Session 1: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Lean Principles and Practices Team-Building Workshop

Presented by CONNSTEP

Clifton Strengths Leadership Workshop

Presented by Amy Stumme, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Maryland Association of CPAs/Business Learning Institute

Session 2: Tuesday, February 11, 2020, Time: TBD

Legislative Day at the Capitol:

·        Hear from Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz

·        Business Law 101, presented by Bonnie Stewart, CTCPA Executive Director

·        Guided Tour of the Capitol Building

·        Meet your Legislators

 Session 3: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

10Ks of Personal Branding

Presented by Kaplan Mobray, Kaplan Mobray Leadership Institute

Panel discussion: Hear real business-world examples of why personal branding is so important, and how it can excel your career.

 Session 4: Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The Secrets of Effective Public Speaking

Presented by Mark Zampino, CTCPA Public Affairs Director

 Marketing to Grow

Presented by Nick Wagner, Co-Founder, Cite

 Session 5: Thursday, April 23, 2020, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Junior Achievement Volunteer Day

Academy members will join together with Junior Achievement to empower youth!  Discuss workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy with students at Naylor CCSU Leadership Academy in Hartford (grades K-8).

 Session 6: Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Business Finance 101 (panel discussion)

Presented by Ian Green, President, GRPC and Ken Lerman, Esq. 

Insider Scoop to Serving on a Board (panel discussion)

 Session 7: Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

How to Lead a Team Effectively and Efficiently

Presented by Brent Robertson, Partner, Fathom

Clifton Strengths Leadership Workshop:  “Identify Where You Have Grown Over the Past Six Months and Set Clear Goals for Your Future”, presented by Amy Stumme, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Maryland Association of CPAs/Business Learning Institute

Graduation Ceremony and Yard Goats Game: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Dunkin Donuts Park, Start Time: TBD