CLICK HERE to apply to the 2023-2024 CREW Boston Leadership Academy
“The Leadership Academy was a self-evaluating opportunity. It allowed for an introspective look into my professional ambitions, to know my worth, be more assertive, and face new challenges. In addition, it was great to establish new connections, to receive feedback, and learn from other women’s experiences. If asked to resume my experience I would say: uplifting and rewarding!”
Carla Cabral, Senior Compliance & Portfolio Manager
Massachusetts Housing Partnership
2022-2023 Leadership Academy Program Outline
Friday, October 13, 2023 - Leadership Vision and Assessment
This session introduces the cohort, the program and the program facilitator. Expectations and group guidelines will be agreed upon. Participants will conduct a leadership self-assessment and set goals. Using the assessment, participants define their leadership vision, specifically incorporating their values, hopes and career ambitions in the context of the organization.
- Reflect on self within context of organization
- Develop ability to think big picture about leadership
- Reflect on one’s inherent values and beliefs and connection with underlying actions
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Katrina Graham, Orange Grove Consulting
Friday, November 3, 2023 - Unconscious Bias, The Re-frame
Unconscious biases women have about themselves are an invisible threat to women’s careers. In the current situation, these unconscious biases are more visible than before and manifest as women take on more of the “home” work. This module focuses on helping women recognize and overcome these limiting assumptions through case studies to improve decision-making and risk-taking. Intersectional aspects of bias will be introduced. Within this context, the systemic biases will be discussed and participants will learn how to manage and overcome these barriers. Within this context, the systemic biases that exist in the Real Estate industry will be discussed and participants will learn how to manage and overcome these barriers.
Learning Objectives
- Identify how flawed assumptions might get in the way of our own career story
- Practice re-framing for improved decision making and risk-taking
- Redefine our career narrative
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Katrina Graham, Orange Grove Consulting
Friday, December 15, 2023 - Developing New Business
In this module, participants learn to develop a pipeline of opportunities. Whether participants are in an active business development role or not, selling is an important part of business, both externally to potential clients and internally with your organization. Learn practical tools that will enhance current business development activities through strengthened attitudes, new/improved behaviors and techniques. Each person will walk away with a tool kit and the start of a business development playbook. The group will be split into those that experience where they will focus on owning their sales process. The second group with less experience will focus on owning their networking behavior.
Learning Objectives
- Develop practical tools that will enhance current business development activities through strengthened attitudes, new/improved behaviors and techniques.
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Haley Ayraud Haggerty, Next Level Training, Inc.
Friday, January 5, 2024 - Managing the Team
This module introduces what makes a successful manager, opportunities for management within Real Estate, the importance of delegating and engaging within the team environment, and how to create an environment to cultivate collaboration and innovation.
Learning Objectives
- Gain an understanding of the core building blocks of high performing teamsLearn the critical attributes of an effective team member
- Identify ways to foster psychological safety to promote participation, constructive conflict, and creativity
- Understand your dominant team work style an create strategies to collaborate more effectively with colleagues
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Lou Bergholz, Edgework Consulting
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - Mid Program Conference call
Mid program check in with all participants and facilitator
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Katrina Graham, Orange Grove Consulting
Friday, February 2, 2024 - Understanding Corporate Finance
This session aims to demystify the key financial levers in business to improve participants’ ability to confidently make strategic business decisions. Participants will learn key financial terms and business drivers while engaging in a fun Session activity. The Session will conclude with a “Sharks Tank” Style negotiation for strategic project funding based on anticipated returns and risk assessment. No more tuning out over financial conversations or being intimidated by fast-talking CFOs!
Learning Objectives
- Build facility with the vocabulary of finance
- Learn an easy-to-apply model for valuing a project or business opportunity
- Develop efficacy with including financial analysis in strategic decision-making
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: TBA
Friday, March 1, 2024 - Promoting Your Value
In this module, participants will think strategically about their value and strategically assess how to leverage the “silver lining” in the current situation. Participants will learn how to frame their accomplishments in ways that showcase the value they bring to the organization and build their skills in thinking more strategically. Participants uncover and overcome resistance to self-promotion. They learn how to increase visibility and how to build meaningful networking, mentoring, and sponsorship relationships to accelerate their career – and to model this behavior for their women colleagues.
Learning Objectives
- Identify ways to promote one’s value-add authentically
- Quantify their business value to their employer and themselves
- Understand the relationship between self-promotion and value-based impact
The final module pulls together the key learnings across the program to transform the participants from individual contributor to strategic business leader. Participants learn how to think and plan strategically, and look at their career with a bigger picture lens. Participants face their resistance to taking risks, getting support and develop a way-forward-plan to measure their progress. Participants also celebrate what they’ve learned and how they’ve developed in the program.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the perspective shifts required to think strategically
- Apply those shifts to their current role
- Review lessons learned across the program
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Katrina Graham, Orange Grove Consulting
April 2024 - Graduation held at CREW Boston's Annual Achievement Awards
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
May 2022 - Graduation Celebration
5:30 p.m. - Location TBD
“I truly enjoyed participating in the CREW Boston Leadership Academy and looked forward to each session. My self-awareness has grown tremendously over the course of the program. There were so many “aha” moments that happened in the classroom that either validated my existing thoughts and processes or helped me to consider a different way of resolving a problem. The program provided a safe space to share concerns and to celebrate successes. Most importantly, I created genuine connections with driven, goal-oriented women, who I will lean on for honest, non-judgmental advice throughout the rest of my career and beyond.”
Molly Myers, Associate
Dain Torpy, Le Ray, Wiest & Garner, P.C.
Location
All classes will be held in Boston MA
(In case a session is cancelled due to snow, the make up session(s) will be take place on one of the following dates, to be determined at a later time)
Eligibility
Applicants should be professionals working in the commercial real estate industry who have demonstrated leadership within their organization, including managing small teams.
Applicants should have 10-15 years of experience in commercial real estate, however, more or less experience will be considered if otherwise qualified.
Applicants should be available for all sessions, as 100% attendance is required for the program.
Applicants must have the desire to gain insights, and leadership skills, and also have a strong aspiration to positions of greater influence within their organization.
Cost for the 2023-2024 Program
Member fee: $2,900
Non-member fee: $3,685 (includes application and membership to CREW Boston)
Deadline
Application deadline: Monday, June 5, 2023
Space is limited. Curriculum subject to change in an effort to provide the most value to participants. Click
here for a pdf outline of the program. If you have any questions about this program, please contact
laura@crewboston.org
“The Leadership Academy was important in realigning professional and personal goals. The program helped me create a clear outline of who I am as leader and further align a structure and boundaries for my professional life; lines that are easily blurred in business ownership. With the insight of our facilitator and the collaboration and support of our cohort I was empowered to take on the next phase of my career.”
Molly Pidgeon, CEO & Interior Designer
Pidgeon & Co. | House of Dietrich