The Impact Center

Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program

The Impact Center’s 

Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program

Applications for our fall 2026 cohort of executive leaders are now closed. Applications for the spring 2027 cohort of emerging leaders will open in July.

The Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program aims to strengthen the leadership capacity of leaders in the peace and security field. At its core, the program seeks to support a strong, values-driven leadership pipeline that is resilient and responsive to the sector’s unique demands.

The program is designed to help participants:

  • Develop a supportive and sustained Community of Practice;

  • Deepen confidence in their authentic leadership identity;

  • Enhance core executive leadership competencies; and

  • Build ongoing peer-to-peer relationships for professional learning and support.

Our skilled facilitators will lead sessions on a variety of highly relevant leadership topics to support participants’ growth and development, all while leveraging the wealth of experience among participants to encourage peer support and learning.

In spring 2026, the Program completed its inaugural cohort of 20 executive leaders. Cohort 2 will convene in fall 2026, and a cohort of emerging leaders will begin in early 2027.

The Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 

See what participants in the Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program have to say about their experience:

 
 

Program Highlights: Executive Leaders Cohorts 

Participants of the Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program can look forward to the following program elements:

  • 2 in-person Executive Retreats occurring at the start and end of the program, to strengthen learning and create a space for deep reflection. The first retreat will pay special attention to exploring each leader’s personal leadership identity and values, while the second retreat will focus on reflection and integration of the program’s learnings, culminating in Capstone presentations.

  • 6 Virtual Sessions that take place in between retreats focused on strengthening organizational leadership skills, ongoing problem-solving, and skill-building, including:

    • Facilitated peer discussions;

    • Guest speakers;

    • “Solution Circles” (peer-based problem-solving groups).

  • 6 one-hour one-on-one executive coaching sessions tailored to each participant’s goals and areas for improvement.  

  • A personalized Development Action Plan to structure goal setting, featuring small group peer cohorts for support and accountability throughout the program.

  • The Impact Center’s meticulously crafted leadership curriculum, further refined to meet each cohort’s unique needs (informed by participant input in our pre-program Needs Assessments).

  • Executive-level peers across roles, organizations, and backgrounds.

  • Facilitators and coaches with extensive experience working with high-profile executives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Program Highlights: Emerging Leaders Cohort 

Participants of the Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program’s Emerging Leaders Cohort can look forward to the following program elements:

  • 2 in-person Executive Retreats occurring at the start and end of the program, to strengthen learning and create a space for deep reflection. The first retreat will pay special attention to exploring each leader’s personal leadership identity and values, while the second retreat will focus on reflection and integration of the program’s learnings, culminating in Capstone presentations.

  • 6 Virtual Sessions that take place in between retreats focused on strengthening organizational leadership skills, ongoing problem-solving, and skill-building, including:

    • Facilitated peer discussions;

    • Guest speakers;

    • “Solution Circles” (peer-based problem-solving groups).

  • Mentoring sessions with executive leaders from the Program’s Cohorts 1 & 2.  

  • A personalized Development Action Plan to structure goal setting, featuring small group peer cohorts for support and accountability throughout the program.

  • The Impact Center’s meticulously crafted leadership curriculum, further refined to meet each cohort’s unique needs (informed by participant input in our pre-program Needs Assessments).

  • Peers across roles, organizations, and backgrounds.

  • Facilitators and coaches with extensive experience working with high-profile executives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Peer-Based Learning

Our peer-based model fosters meaningful connections among program participants. Our cohorts are curated to ensure that participating leaders experience a supportive and collaborative environment. Programming is designed to encourage peer interactions that lead to strong relationships, constructive feedback, and accountability. 

This model empowers participants to deeply engage with leaders beyond their personal networks. Through these interactions, they are challenged to consider multiple perspectives and refine their leadership style, resulting in richer insights, innovative solutions, and a more holistic understanding of what it means to be a leader.

Upcoming Cohorts

Leaders may choose to apply to one of the following cohorts. In-person retreats will all take place in the Washington, DC area.

Cohort 3: Spring 2027 (Emerging Leaders)

  • Virtual Launch: February 10 at 12:00pm - 2:00pm ET

  • First Executive Retreat (in-person): February 24 -26

  • Virtual Peer Learning Sessions (all at 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET):

    • March 11

    • March 25

    • April 8

    • April 22

    • May 6

    • May 20

  • Second Executive Retreat (in-person): June 9 - 11

Cohort 2: Fall 2026 (Executive Leaders)

  • Virtual Launch: September 2 at 12:00pm - 2:00pm ET

  • First Executive Retreat (in-person): September 30 - October 2 

  • Virtual Peer Learning Sessions (all at 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET):

    • October 9

    • October 16

    • October 23

    • October 30

    • November 6

    • November 13

  • Second Executive Retreat (in-person): November 18 - 20

Note: Applications are closed for Cohort 2 as the Program’s roster is full.

Learn More

Application

Applications for our fall 2026 cohort of executive leaders are now closed. Applications for the spring 2027 cohort of emerging leaders will open in July.

To ensure that the Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program is grounded in the needs of program participants and those of you working in the field, applicants will also be asked to complete a needs assessment to inform curriculum development.

Candidates who advance to the next stage of the application process will be invited to a brief interview with several members of The Impact Center team.

Have Questions? 

Interested in learning more about the Peace and Security Executive Leadership Program? Contact us here.

The Impact Center’s Executive Leadership Programs

 

We have leveraged our extensive experience working with high-impact professionals, public institutions, and mission-driven organizations over the last twenty years to design and deliver transformative leadership programming for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 

Our Executive Leadership Programs convene cross-sector and industry-specific cohorts, including in national security, aerospace, homelessness, and peace and security. Each cohort is carefully curated to provide significant peer engagement, expanding perspectives and enhancing growth. Our programs are thoughtfully designed, delivered, and tailored to participating leaders’ backgrounds and needs.

View our other cohort-based executive leadership programs here.