A new 12-week cohort experience helps managers and directors deepen their leadership skills, build connections, and prepare for greater impact.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) recently launched the Leadership Excellence and Advancement Pathway (LEAP), a new cohort-based professional development experience designed to help FoundationCCC people managers and directors grow their capabilities and prepare for their next level of leadership.

Designed and delivered by the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute in partnership with FoundationCCC, LEAP is a customized 12-week leadership development experience created specifically for FoundationCCC leaders. The program brings together 25 leaders from across the state for executive-facilitated learning, leadership assessments, peer learning, practical application, and guided reflection. 

LEAP is designed to strengthen leadership effectiveness, emotional intelligence, communication and collaboration, while helping participants lead teams and initiatives in an evolving, mission-driven organization. The program began with a two-day, in-person launch at FoundationCCC headquarters in Sacramento on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and concludes with a virtual graduation on Dec. 3.

“Through the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute, we were honored to partner with FoundationCCC to create LEAP because investing in the people who lead this organization strengthens its ability to serve California’s community colleges and students,” said Dr. Yasmin Davidds, Founder and CEO of the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute and a member of the FoundationCCC Board of Directors. “My hope is that participants leave the experience with greater self-awareness, stronger relationships across FoundationCCC, and practical tools they can use immediately to lead with confidence, empathy, and purpose.”

LEAP reflects FoundationCCC’s broader commitment to developing its people and creating opportunities for leaders across departments and regions to learn from one another. For FoundationCCC President and CEO Keetha Mills, that investment is essential to strengthening the organization and sustaining its impact. 

“LEAP is an investment in our leaders and in FoundationCCC’s ability to deepen its impact across California’s community colleges,” said Keetha Mills, President and CEO of FoundationCCC. “We are grateful to have Dr. Davidds lead this transformational program, providing our leaders with a space to reflect, learn from one another, and strengthen the skills needed to lead through change. We are building shared leadership capacity that will benefit our organization, our partners, and the students we serve.” 

Learn more about the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute >