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EMERGING LEADERs Initiative
July 21-25, 2025 | Dublin, PA
ABOUT ELI: A NextGen Emerging Leaders Initiative
The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) is a 5-day leadership development program designed for the next generation of leaders. Participants have the unique opportunity to learn from leaders across professional fields, explore future career interests, and identify their leadership strengths and growth areas. This selective program is for a maximum of 10 participants aged 18-24 and has a competitive application process. Watch the videos below to hear from past participants about the value of ELI in their lives!
The Ideal Participant
The ideal candidates for ELI are young leaders hungry to discover and develop their leadership style and strengthen their leadership skills in a collaborative environment. ELI is open to student-age leaders aged 18 to 24 (must be 18 by the start of the program). If you don’t quite fit but have a unique story, let us know. If you have a desire and motivation to lead, this initiative is for you.
"My leadership, friendships, and work life have changed for the better this week. I made new friends with people who are like minded in our professional careers, and I've grown in confidence in all areas. This is a program every single young adult should take."
The ELI Core
The purpose of ELI is to provide an opportunity for young leaders to examine traits and practices of effective leadership, assess their strengths and leadership style, and learn from a diverse group of leaders. Billy Dunn, M.S., and Eryka Jenkins, M.Ed., consultants at The Center Consulting Group, will lead the initiative. Each day will incorporate various experienced guest speakers (past ones have included Dr. Adrian Griffin, former Assistant Coach for the Toronto Raptors and former Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Brant Hanson, NY Times Best Selling Author) and a variety of learning methodologies, including:
Personal Development
Personality Assessment
Leadership Reflection & Coaching
Team Building Experiences
Leadership Theory
Leadership Compass
Case Studies
Live Leader Interviews
Client Site Visits (4 total)
"During ELI, I was able to discover what type of leader I am and how I work best. I was taught things that will impact the rest of my life and how I lead."
Location
The initiative’s home base will be at The Center Consulting Group’s office at The Square in Dublin, PA. On four of the afternoons, participants will travel as a group to a different business, church, or nonprofit site. While we do not offer overnight lodging, we are happy to help you find other accommodations.
Date & Time
The initiative will run Monday, July 21 - Friday, July 25, 2025 from 8:45am to 4:00pm. Additionally, Thursday evening will include dinner and a group activity.
Cost
$350 (meals and transportation to and from site visits included). The actual cost of this program is $2,800, but thanks to donors passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders, we are able to offer it at a reduced price!
Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $175 will be due to hold your place. The final payment of $175 will be due by July 14.
SCHEDULE
Each day will consist of mornings focused on leadership theories and practice, lunch at The Center, and an afternoon site visit (four of the days) to a nonprofit, business, or church. Here is a sample schedule of what the week could look like: Sample ELI Schedule 2024
Daily Schedule
| 8:45am-10:30am | Personal Learning Lab/Leader Interviews |
| 10:45am-12:15pm | Organizational Learning Lab |
| 12:15pm-1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm-4:00pm | Site Visit or Group Activity |
FAQ
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You will have an increased clarity of your leadership style, your DISC personality profile, and the ways that your leadership can be used now and in your future. Each person will have completed a leadership compass that summarizes their leadership theory and practice on one page. We also hope that you will leave with great relationships.
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The age range for ELI is 18 to 23 and the ideal range would be high school seniors and students in college. We are most interested in your desire to grow as a leader and the excitement you will have for this growth.
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The Center Consulting Group is located in The Square at the Dublin Town Center: 123 N. Main St., Suite 200, Dublin, Pennsylvania.
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ELI runs from 8:45am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. While we do not offer overnight lodging, we are happy to help you find other accommodations. Don’t hesitate to ask us!
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The dress code for the week is business casual. We will be visiting a different organization or business on four of the days.
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Personal & Leadership Growth
"My growth has been immense this past week. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to come to The Center and learn from professionals in leadership. I’ve learned how to approach leadership in my own life in a much more refined way. I’m excited to implement the principles and core values I’ve learned and developed this past week.”
“I grew from thinking I was a leader who had everything figured out to a leader who has a lot of work to do.”
“I’ve become more confident in myself and comfortable accepting leadership roles and how to be successful in them.”
“ELI is a great chance for growth! It gives you so much insight into yourself and what leadership looks like for you. It also really spurred me on and motivated me to be someone who takes initiative in my life.”
Interacting with Like-minded Young Leaders
“It was a great experience to be surrounded by other fantastic individuals who are driven and want to continue to build their leadership skills.”
“The week exceeded my expectations. To be able to connect with all the other participants while still leading as a person and leader was amazing.”
Learning from Experts
“The morning learning sessions were a highlight because the information being taught by the fantastic leaders who spoke was clearly played out in the way they lead.”
“Every piece was well executed and each speaker and session was unique but so helpful and impactful in different ways.”
“I loved the leader interviews because they kept it genuine and real.”
APPLY
Registration is now closed. Sign up to be notified when the application process opens for ELI 2025. If you have any questions, please contact us.
ABOUT THE CENTER CONSULTING GROUP
The Center Consulting Group is a nonprofit Christian organization that was started in 2002 for the purpose of providing a place for churches, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders to seek advice and counsel. Twenty years later, The Center has served over 800+ clients across many different industries and impacted thousands of individuals to bring healthy leadership to their lives and organizations. Learn more.