Aerospace Executive Leadership Development Program
Grow as a Leader, Broaden Your Network, Build a Community of Practice
The journey to the top echelons of leadership is both rewarding and challenging, requiring more than just technical skills; it calls for an intentional mindset, broad network, and understanding that leadership is a practice.
Participants share lessons learned, emerging trends, and tested strategies that help executives anticipate challenges, adapt to industry shifts, and make better-informed strategic decisions.
The Aerospace Executive Leadership Development Program is for leaders across the field of aerospace from industry, academia, and government who are seeking to build a community of practice to:
Elevate their essential leadership skills,
Develop an authentic leadership identity, and
Broaden their network through relationships with peer leaders across the industry in order to learn from each other's experiences.
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for our 2026 cohorts!
“[This program] has widened my perspective and frame of reference on multiple things - how other companies work, how people address challenges, and many more learning opportunities. ”
Program Structure
This program features small cohorts of senior level leaders across the field of aerospace.
Time Commitment: The program will unfold over 12 weeks and will include two, two-day in person executive retreats with virtual program components in between. Apart from retreats, participants can expect an average weekly time commitment of 1-2 hours.
Program Cadence:
Circulation of Program Pre-Work via The Impact Center's program portal, to include assessments, exercises, and pre-readings.
Virtual Program Launch Event
First Executive Retreat
Six 1:1 Executive Coaching sessions
Peer learning sessions
Creation of a Development Action Plan and regularly-scheduled virtual meetings with participants’ assigned Development Action Plan groups
Virtual sessions to hear from accomplished leaders in the field
Second Executive Retreat
Executives in Residence from the field will join across program retreats to share their experience and learnings.
After the program, opportunities for ongoing connection include virtual “lunch and learns,” gatherings at industry conferences, and other in-person and virtual programming with distinguished leaders in the field.
“I have spent so much time and energy over the years to become the best people leader I can be, but very little time devoted to focusing on myself. The Strengths Finder, 360 Assessment and Values portion was very useful to allow me to really dig deeper about how I want to be seen in the workplace and how I am already seen. ”
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Robust leadership mindset as a governing principle;
Connection with peers through a community of practice;
A focus on essential leadership skills in aerospace: adaptability, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, risk-taking, interpersonal communication, and collaboration;
Actionable takeaways for development and growth.
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The Aerospace Executive Leadership Development Program will create a space for talented individuals in the aerospace industry to build a community of practice, emphasizing a peer learning model where participants grow and learn with and through others. The following learning objectives guide the program curriculum:
Self-Awareness and Personal Development
Develop a deeper understanding of and confidence in a personal, authentic leadership style and identify and articulate individual strengths and values and how they influence leadership practices.
Executive Leadership
Develop a deeper understanding of executive leadership and what it means to lead and elevate other leaders, how to lead through influence, and the core principles of psychological safety and its importance for organizational success.
Setting Strategy
Enhance strategic thinking skills to navigate complex challenges.
Decision-Making
Improve understanding of how to evaluate information, weigh alternatives, and choose a course of action that shapes the direction, performance, and long-term outcomes of an organization.
Change Management
Improve understanding of how to guide an organization through transitions, such as shifts in strategy, structure, culture, or technology, by setting clear vision, aligning stakeholders, mobilizing resources, and fostering commitment to ensure sustained adoption and organizational success.
Networking and Relationship Building
Learn the key elements of building a strong professional network of peers and mentors and strategies for cultivating and maintaining robust and reciprocal networks.
Goal Setting and Professional Development
Create a roadmap for professional development through the creation of an Developmental Action Plan (DAP) and define a personal brand.
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Participants will be paired with an executive coach for one-on-one coaching to navigate challenges and support growth as a leader. This includes six one-hour sessions to test out strategies for change and receive feedback.
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You will develop a customized Development Action Plan (DAP) during your time in the program. The DAP provides a roadmap for your growth across the program. This plan aims to identify current areas for improvement, enhance your leadership, hone job-related abilities, and focus on career direction. It makes space for the growth and development goals you identified coming into the program and those that might arise throughout the program.
You will be assigned to DAP groups who you will meet with on a weekly basis. In your meetings, you will share progress updates, exchange feedback, and problem-solve. These groups provide positive accountability for yourself and allow you to show up for your peers!
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Hear from leaders to get critical, real-world insights into how the aerospace sector operates at the intersection of rapid technological advancement, complex global markets, and high-stakes safety and regulatory demands.
“Couldn’t have had a better match with my executive coach. She has helped me navigate challenges within my organization and feel more confident and empowered.”
Eligibility
Senior level leaders across the aerospace field are eligible to apply to the Aerospace Executive Leadership Development Program. This program is thoughtfully designed for individuals in the industry who are seeking transformative leadership development, clarity on their professional trajectory, and a community of peers to expand their network.
“[If not for the program], I would not have taken the time for reflection, development and future planning that this program created.”
Cohort Schedule
Cohort 1: Spring 2026
Key Dates
Virtual Launch: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (12-2pm ET)
First Retreat (in-person): February 18-20, 2026 in the Washington, D.C. area
Virtual Sessions: 5 virtual peer learning sessions will take place throughout the program via Zoom. In an effort to maximize attendance at these sessions, program enrollees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the times of the week that work best for them. All sessions will occur in between the two in-person retreats.
Second Retreat (in-person): May 6-8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado
Cohort 2: Fall 2026
Key Dates
Virtual Launch: Thursday, September 10, 2026 (12-2pm ET)
First Retreat (in-person): September 23-25, 2026
Virtual Sessions: 5 virtual peer learning sessions will take place throughout the program via Zoom. In an effort to maximize attendance at these sessions, program enrollees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the times of the week that work best for them. All sessions will occur in between the two in-person retreats.
Second Retreat (in-person): December 2-4, 2026
Take the Next Step
For Organizations: Become a Premier Partner and Enroll Your Leaders
Organizations interested in learning more about enrolling leaders in the Aerospace Leadership Development Program can reach out to aerospace@the-impact-center.org for more information.
Deadline to finalize partnership agreements: December 19, 2025 at 5:30PM ET. By finalizing your partnership agreement, you reserve a space within the program for an agreed upon number of leaders from within your organization.
Invoices will be due 30 days following finalization of a partnership agreement, in full.
Deadline for Premier Partners to identify participating leaders: January 16, 2026 at 5:30PM ET. Note: If your organization prefers that The Impact Center interviews candidates from your organization to select participants, please ensure that you identify these individuals by no later than December 19, 2025 to ensure sufficient time for interviews.
The program fee is $9,500 per program seat. A discounted rate of $4,950 is available for academia and non-profit organizations.
For Individuals: Apply Today
For Individuals: We invite interested candidates to submit an application today. Strong applicants will be invited to interview with The Impact Center. Program acceptances will be extended on a rolling basis.
Deadlines
Early Admission Deadline: November 7, 2025 at 5:30PM ET.
If admitted, candidates will have until December 5, 2025 to finalize their enrollment and program fees will be due by January 30, 2026.
Regular Admission Deadline: December 5, 2025 at 5:30PM ET.
If admitted, candidates will have until December 19, 2025 to finalize their enrollment and program fees will be due by January 30, 2026.
The program fee for participation is $9,500. A discounted rate of $4,950 is available for participants from academia and non-profit organizations.
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The Impact Center works with leaders in preeminent organizations to enhance their performance and strengthen interpersonal relationships through strategic planning, meeting facilitation, training, executive team and board retreats, and executive leadership development, including one-on-one coaching. Because of our experience with non-profit, private, and public institutions, we uniquely understand the challenges and needs that senior leaders and their staff face operating in challenging environments.
View our other cohort-based executive leadership development programs here.
Meet the 2025 Cohort
The Impact Center was privileged to work with the exceptional leaders in the 2025 Cohort of the Aerospace Executive Leadership Development Program. This inspiring group is driving innovation and shaping the future of the aerospace industry.