What Executive Leadership Council does

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 by nineteen Black corporate executives and headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to increase the number of successful Black executives in Fortune 1000 and Global 500 enterprises by supporting their development, leadership, and philanthropic endeavors across the career lifecycle. Membership is gated by nomination, committee approval, and application, restricting access to CEOs, C-suite executives, and senior executives reporting to C-suite at large corporations; the 2026 new member class inducted 45 senior executives. Core service lines include The Institute for Leadership Development & Research, which delivers tiered programs such as Leadership Pathways ($945), the C-Suite Academy ($7,500), the Mid-Level Managers' Symposium ($2,000 in-person / $1,000 virtual), Leadership Assets ($250), and Voices of the ELC forums, alongside the Corporate Board Navigator (sponsored by Deloitte and Diligent) and a scholarship program that has committed over $20M since 1995 to students attending 142+ universities.

ELC's revenue model combines recurring membership dues, program registration fees, corporate sponsorships, custom enterprise programs (half-day to multi-year engagements for groups of 10+), table and ticket sales at the annual Recognition Gala (3,000+ attendees, Chairman/Platinum/Gold/Silver tiers), and tax-deductible donations to the Annual Fund, Endowment, and scholarships. Sponsorship revenue is anchored by Coca-Cola, Google, Exelon, Pfizer, Bank of America, UnitedHealth Group, Accenture, and PwC; named scholarship sponsors include Chevron, HP, HSBC, Johnson & Johnson, Lowe's, Synchrony, UnitedHealth, and Ford. Distribution combines self-serve website registration, direct enterprise sales, sponsorship channel partnerships, and international convenings (London, Accra). Recent strategic activity includes the June 2026 appointment of Crystal L. Brown as Chief Engagement, Communications and Marketing Officer, the formation of a CEO Advisory Council, and the 40th Anniversary Giving Campaign.

Name

Executive Leadership Council

Legal name

The Executive Leadership Council, Inc.

Website

https://elcinfo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Executive Leadership Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that develops Black executives for Fortune 1000 and Global 500 C-suites and corporate boards through gated membership, tiered leadership programs, the Corporate Board Navigator, scholarships, and an annual Recognition Gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Leadership Development

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

C-Suite & Senior Executive Coaching (EDABANAA), Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams) (EDABANAF), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Reputation Management & Executive Thought Leadership (MPAAADAK)

Keywords

• Executive leadership development
• Professional membership organization
• Corporate board readiness
• Leadership training programs
• Diversity scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Senior-level executives at Fortune 1000/Global 500 corporations pay membership dues to join The ELC, gaining access to networking, events, and development programs.
2. Program Registration Fees: Revenue from leadership development programs including Leadership Pathways ($945), C-Suite Academy ($7,500), Mid-Level Managers' Symposium (In-Person $2,000 / Virtual $1,000), and Leadership Assets workshop ($250).
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor programs, events, scholarships, and the annual Recognition Gala. Sponsors include Coca-Cola, Google, Exelon, Pfizer, Bank of America, UnitedHealth Group, Accenture, PwC, and others.
4. Scholarship Program Support: Corporate partners provide funding for scholarship programs supporting undergraduate and graduate students, with over $20M committed since 1995.
5. Recognition Gala Revenue: The signature annual fundraising event generates revenue through table sales (Platinum, Gold, Silver levels) and individual tickets, with tables accommodating 10 guests.
6. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the Annual Fund, Endowment, Scholarships, and Research Initiatives. ELC is a 501(c)(3) organization with Tax ID# 52-1631358.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Executive Leadership Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that develops global Black executives through a suite of leadership development programs (Leadership Pathways, C-Suite Academy, Mid-Level Managers' Symposium, Leadership Assets, Corporate Board Navigator), curated peer networking events, an annual Recognition Gala, a scholarship program for college students, and bespoke custom corporate programs.

Product overview

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) operates as a platform-plus-modules organization offering leadership development and professional advancement services primarily for Black executives. The core offering is The Institute for Leadership Development & Research, which houses multiple programs including Leadership Pathways (early-to-mid career), C-Suite Academy (senior executives), Leadership Development Experience, Mid-Level Managers' Symposium (MLMS), Leadership Assets workshops, and Voices of The ELC forums. The Corporate Board Navigator program supports members in corporate board readiness, navigation, and elevation. ELC also provides membership access to networking and executive development, the ELC Scholars scholarship program, Custom Programs for organizational partners, and annual events including the Recognition Gala. Publications include Contact Magazine and various research reports. The organization functions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with programs delivered virtually and in-person across multiple career stages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ELC Membership Preeminent membership organization providing senior Black executives at Fortune 1000/Global 500 corporations access to a global network, formal and informal networking, and executive development opportunities. Membership requires nomination, committee approval, and application.
• Leadership Pathways A 9-month cohort experience designed for early-to-mid-career professionals to strengthen cultural intelligence, strategic thinking, and executive presence through coaching, quarterly learning sessions, and peer collaboration.
• C-Suite Academy A program for senior executives within one to three levels of an enterprise CEO seat at Fortune 500/1000 companies, featuring direct access to C-suite leaders, executive coaches, and peers to sharpen executive strategy and strengthen networks.
• Mid-Level Managers' Symposium (MLMS) A two-day professional development conference designed to strengthen leadership capability, expand networks, and prepare leaders for enterprise responsibility, serving over 1,000 mid-level and senior professionals.
• Leadership Assets A 90-minute dynamic workshop providing actionable frameworks to harness intangible qualities that determine executive success: credibility, presence, judgment, and trust.
• Corporate Board Navigator A program designed to advance and support ELC members throughout their corporate board journey, structured across three phases: Board Readiness, Board Navigation, and Board Elevation.
• Voices of The ELC A quarterly leadership forum featuring ELC members and thought leaders sharing perspectives on forces shaping business, leadership, and enterprise performance through focused conversations.
• Custom Corporate Programs Tailored equity solutions and culturally dynamic leadership programming designed to complement preexisting leadership development programs or create original programming to advance and retain multicultural talent, ranging from half-day sessions to 2-year engagements.
• ELC Scholars Scholarship Program Scholarship programs providing financial support, awards, internships, and mentoring to high-performing college students with access to ELC members, their companies, and strategic partners. Over $20M committed since 1995.
• ELC Recognition Gala The signature fundraising event of Gala Week, bringing together accomplished executives, corporate board directors, and institutional leaders to celebrate excellence and honor impact, supporting scholarships and educational outreach.
• Leadership Development Experience A flagship leadership convening equipping corporate professionals with strategies, executive insight, and peer engagement in an environment reflecting the lived experience of today's leaders.
• The Institute for Leadership Development & Research The research and program arm of ELC that creates learning experiences grounded in research, coaching, and real-world insights of ELC members to accelerate advancement of ambitious professionals.
• International Presence Program A series of events connecting ELC members with UK opinion and thought leaders focused on significant current events and trends, including UK Black History Month programming.
• Membership Meetings Twice-yearly exclusive networking events bringing together ELC members for peer-to-peer engagement, leadership development, and community building.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $20M in scholarships committed since 1995
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeloitte sponsors the Corporate Board Navigator (formerly Corporate Board Initiative), a program designed to advance and support ELC members throughout their corporate board journey. The program is structured across three phases: Board Readiness, Board Navigation, and Board Elevation.
• Diligent CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiligent Corporation sponsors the Corporate Board Navigator program and board readiness initiatives, supporting the development and visibility of ELC members interested in, actively pursuing, and currently serving on boards.
• Royal African SocietystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ELC partnered with the Royal African Society for the 2026 London Convening, focusing on Africa's growing role in global business, investment, innovation, and culture. The partnership aims to deepen sustained collaboration between institutions committed to expanding access, opportunity, and influence across the continent and beyond.
• The LinkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Links participated in the ELC 2026 London Convening, joining members and guests for Afternoon Tea at the Corinthia Hotel to build trust and intentional connection.
• The BoulesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Boule (Sigma Pi Phi) participated in the ELC 2026 London Convening alongside The Links and ELC members for cross-organizational networking and relationship building.
• Lloyd's of LondonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLloyd's of London hosted the ELC's 2026 London Convening session on AI, investment, and disruption, featuring fireside conversations with industry leaders on the future of global business leadership.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle's London office hosted the welcome session for the ELC UK Convening. Melonie Parker, Google's Chief Diversity Officer, provided opening remarks. Google is a Co-Lead Sponsor of the 2026 Recognition Gala.
• Powerful MediasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowerful Media co-hosted the ELC 2026 London Convening session with Dr. Comfort Ero of International Crisis Group, held at The Peninsula Hotel under Chatham House Rules.
• Coca-Cola CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Lead Sponsor of the ELC Recognition Gala 2026, supporting the premier fundraising event that brings together 3,000+ business leaders.
• ExeloncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of the ELC Recognition Gala 2026, supporting the organization's mission to increase Black executive representation.
• PfizercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of the ELC Recognition Gala 2026, contributing to scholarship and leadership development initiatives.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVIP Pre-Gala Networking Sponsor of the ELC Recognition Gala 2026, providing exclusive networking opportunity for senior executives.
• UnitedHealth GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPost-Gala Networking Sponsor of the ELC Recognition Gala 2026, supporting the evening's continuation of connections and celebration.
• AccenturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHeritage Hall Reception Sponsor for Gala Week 2026. Accenture also serves as an exhibitor at the Honors Symposium Career Fair and Welcome Night Reception Sponsor.
• PwCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate Executive Convening Sponsor for Gala Week 2026, supporting exclusive executive engagement and strategic discussions.
• ChevronsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor for the ELC Scholarship Program, supporting high-performing college students.
• HP Inc.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor for the ELC Scholarship Program supporting diverse talent pipeline.
• HSBCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor supporting academic achievement and development of diverse students.
• Johnson & JohnsonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor contributing to scholarship programs for diverse college students.
• Lowe'ssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor for the ELC Scholarship Program supporting future business leaders.
• Synchrony FinancialsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor supporting diverse talent development through scholarships.
• UnitedHealth GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Named Scholarship sponsor for the ELC Scholarship Program, investing in future diverse leadership.
• Ford Motor CompanysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature Scholarship sponsor for the ELC Scholarship Program, supporting undergraduate and graduate students.
• African Science AcademystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ELC made a historic $100,000 donation to the African Science Academy in Ghana during the UK Black History Month Convening, reflecting commitment to creating opportunities for future leaders on the African continent.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Black MBA Association: Member-based organization advancing Black professionals in business, with chapters, conferences, leadership programs, and a career pipeline focus that overlaps directly with ELC's leadership development and networking mission.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): Nonprofit providing career development, leadership coaching, and corporate pathways for high-achieving underrepresented talent, serving a similar pipeline-to-executive function for Black and Latinx professionals.
• Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR): Membership organization promoting Hispanic inclusion in corporate America at board and C-suite levels — direct functional analog to ELC for a different underrepresented demographic, with similar corporate partnership and leadership development model.
• Out Leadership: Organization driving LGBTQ+ equality in business through executive engagement, corporate programming, and talent initiatives — direct functional analog to ELC focused on LGBTQ+ senior leaders and board representation.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Historic civil rights and economic empowerment organization serving Black communities through workforce development, education, and entrepreneurship — overlapping with ELC's mission but operating at a much broader community scale.
• Catalyst: Global nonprofit advancing women in leadership through research, corporate advisory, and inclusion programming — operates in the same executive leadership development space as ELC but for women.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Premier peer network for chief executives globally offering leadership development, peer forums, and education events — competing for the same senior executive time and corporate sponsorship dollars though serving all CEOs.
• Vistage Worldwide: CEO peer advisory and executive coaching organization providing group coaching, workshops, and leadership development for business leaders — adjacent peer for the executive development and Custom Programs space.

Emerging players

• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA): Professional association serving Black accounting and finance professionals with student programs, certification, and corporate career pathways — overlapping with ELC's professional pipeline mission in a specific functional domain.
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): Pre-college through professional society advancing Black engineers with academic excellence programs, scholarships, and corporate partnerships — overlaps with ELC's scholarship and pipeline mission in a specific discipline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elcinfo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/elcinfo1
• Facebookfacebook.com/172697125983
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/128406
• Instagraminstagram.com/elcinfo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Executive Leadership Council