Leadership Northwest Indiana
Become a Better Leader
Professional Certificate
Explore evidenced-based learning experiences that will strengthen your leadership skills and give you strategies to be a better leader in your career, in your community and in your personal life.
The Leadership Northwest Indiana program is well-regarded as a great place for you to build your professional networks as you learn from the real-world challenges your colleagues bring to our discussions.
Our sessions are led by leadership experts from both the academic and business world, giving you the latest research-based leadership content and the most current skills to add to your tool kit.
The benefits of the LNI program are cross-sectional. They can be applied across many different industries and sectors, business models, positions and career stages.
The program is especially suited to:
- Mid-level managers and developing management professionals
- Star contributors and high potential employees who have been identified as outstanding prospects for increased leadership responsibilities
- Professionals with an interest in personal development aiming to become a more effective leader
- Executives and managers seeking to become a more charismatic and authentic leader
LNI Program Details
Location
White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management
2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
Dates
The current LNI cohort is in session from Sept. 2024 to May 2025.
The 2025-26 Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) application is now open! Apply today to join us in the monumental 50th cohort of LNI! Sessions begin in September 2025. Please see the 2025-26 session dates below.
Format
In-person
Investment
$2,550
Explore the Curriculum
The Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program will include eight in-person sessions of instruction and activities, a 360-leadership assessment, custom one-on-one coaching a College of Business staff or faculty member, and a certificate upon completion from Purdue Northwest.
Leading Collaboration & Change
This unit lays the foundation of understanding leadership and the impactful situations in which leadership is often the most needed. All leaders must drive effective change as change agents, be adaptive, and foster collaboration within various groups.
This unit explores the leadership challenges that are unique to team-based situations and in times of organizational change.
- Session 1: Introduction to leadership
- Session 2: Leading high-performing teams
- Session 3: Leading change & adaptive leadership
Understanding Leadership Identity & Behaviors
The second unit dives deep into the concepts of leader identity and various leadership styles.
Participants will reflect on the strength of their leadership identity, identify their personal values that guide their leadership, and determine action steps for strengthening various leadership behaviors.
- Session 4: Charismatic & Transformational Leadership
- Session 5: Authentic & Daring Leadership
Fostering A Winning Culture
An organization is only as good as its culture – and building that culture is the job of every leader. In this final unit, we focus on how leaders can make their organizations a more supportive and engaging place to work by understanding emotions, stress, diversity, and inclusion.
Participants will also end the program by identifying critical moments in their leadership development and explore how they practice leadership at work, at home, and in the community.
- Session 6: Managing Emotions & Stress
- Session 7: Understanding Differences & Respectful Leadership
- Session 8: Multi-Domain Leadership
A Program for You
Leadership Northwest Indiana is for leaders across family, career and community.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive, emerging into a leadership role or don’t even consider yourself a leader yet, our Leadership Northwest Indiana program will help you build the most valued skill sets for both business and personal success.
Instructors
Associate Professor, Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior
Jane Thomas is an assistant professor of human resource management and organizational behavior in the College of Business. Her research focuses on relationships, teams and emotions in the workplace.
Director of Professional Education, The Leadership Institute
Mekisha Richardson focused on the development and implementation of youth leadership programs and works with the local business community as a resource for leadership development, one-on-one leadership coaching and customized professional development workshops.
Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business
Rachel Clapp-Smith is the Teddy Jacobi Dean of Purdue University Northwest’s College of Business and the academic director for the Leadership Institute.
Program Schedule
| Session | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | September 12, 2025 |
| 2 | October 3, 2025 |
| 3 | November 14, 2025 |
| 4 | January 16, 2026 |
| 5 | February 13, 2026 |
| 6 | March 13, 2026 |
| 7 | April 10, 2026 |
| 8 | May 15, 2026 |