Corporate Leadership Center

What Corporate Leadership Center does

Corporate Leadership Center is a Chicago-based non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Sheila Penrose and Cheryl Francis to develop senior business executives through curated peer-based leadership programs. The organization operates two core programs: CEO Perspectives (launched 2004), a year-long program with six two-day modules for Fortune 500 executives reporting to or preparing to transition to the C-suite, and LWE (Leading Women Executives, launched 2009), a biannual program for high-potential leaders advancing to executive roles, with 55-60 participants per cycle from 15-20 companies. Programming centers on candid, off-the-record conversations with sitting Fortune 500 CEOs, research-based curricula developed with faculty from Darden, University of Chicago, Stanford, Kellogg, and Vanderbilt, and ongoing post-program engagement through regional networking dinners, the LWE Next Level Network, and the 'A Seat at the Table' podcast.

The business model relies on program fees paid by participating companies that sponsor and nominate their executives, requiring CEO or CHRO endorsement for admission. The organization has cultivated more than 1,500 alumni Fellows across 75+ sponsor companies including Microsoft, Boeing, McDonald's, Walgreens, Northern Trust, Best Buy, ITW, Deere & Company, Morningstar, and KPMG. Revenue is supplemented by corporate sponsorships for events and the podcast. Programs are delivered through in-person modules at The Chicago Club combined with virtual sessions, with a Fellows portal providing ongoing curriculum and directory access. Corporate Leadership Center does not operate proprietary technology; its core assets are its curriculum, faculty relationships, CEO speaker network, and alumni community.

Leadership includes CEO Deb DeHaas (appointed 2019, formerly Vice Chairman at Deloitte), Co-Chairmen and co-founders Cheryl Francis and Sheila Penrose, Executive Directors for each program (Michelle Warner for CEO Perspectives, appointed January 2022; Kathleen Walton for LWE), and academic guidance from Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprising executives from participating Fortune 500 companies. Operating status is active with events scheduled through 2025.

Name

Corporate Leadership Center

Legal name

Corporate Leadership Center, NFP

Website

https://corporateleadership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2002 that runs CEO Perspectives and Leading Women Executives (LWE), two invitation-only executive leadership programs serving Fortune 500 and select growth companies through cohort-based, CEO-mentored curricula and ongoing alumni engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Leadership Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN), Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA), C-Suite & Senior Executive Coaching (EDABANAA)

Keywords

• Executive leadership programs
• Leadership development
• Succession planning
• C-suite preparation
• Women executive advancement

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Leadership Programs: Corporate Leadership Center generates revenue through program fees charged to participating companies for their executives to attend CEO Perspectives and Leading Women Executives programs. Companies sponsor participants who are nominated by their CEOs or CHROs. The programs run on annual cycles with multiple modules.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Corporate Leadership Center delivers cohort-based executive leadership development programs to senior leaders of Fortune 500 and select growth companies. Companies sponsor and nominate executives (via the CEO or CHRO) to attend either CEO Perspectives (a year-long, six-module program in Chicago for C-suite-ready executives) or LWE (Leading Women Executives, a twice-yearly program for high-potential leaders). The offering pairs in-person modules, a virtual learning format, research-based curricula developed with academic partners, and access to sitting CEOs and curated peer cohorts.

Product overview

Corporate Leadership Center operates two core executive leadership programs: CEO Perspectives and LWE (Leading Women Executives). CEO Perspectives is a year-long program for C-suite-bound executives featuring six in-person modules in Chicago with CEO insights and peer learning. LWE is a bi-annual program for high-potential leaders advancing to executive roles, combining in-person and virtual modules with research-based curriculum. The organization also offers a members-only portal for Fellows, a monthly podcast 'A Seat at the Table,' and networking events including regional dinners and regional programming like the LWE Next Level Network. Both programs partner with Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies for talent development and succession planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEO Perspectives: Executive leadership program for professionals of Fortune 500 and select growth companies who report directly to their CEOs or are preparing to transition to the C-suite. The program broadens executives' perspectives to become more effective enterprise leaders.
• LWE (Leading Women Executives)
• A Seat at the Table

Products and services

• CEO Perspectives Year-long executive leadership program for senior executives of Fortune 500 and select growth companies who report directly to their CEO or are preparing to transition to the C-suite. Consists of six 2-day modules held in Chicago, featuring candid conversations with sitting CEOs, academic faculty, and a curated peer cohort.
• LWE (Leading Women Executives) Twice-yearly (Spring and Fall cycles) leadership program for high-potential leaders advancing to executive leadership roles. Combines three multi-day in-person modules with virtual sessions and a research-based curriculum, executive speakers, curated peer boards, and company cohorts of 3-4 participants. Partners with companies focused on increasing advancement of women.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of Fellows would recommend programs to other executive leaders
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers33 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Boise CascadecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024Boise Cascade served as Platinum Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration, contributing to event funding and supporting the program's milestone anniversary event.
• USGcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024USG served as Platinum Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration, supporting the major milestone event for the program.
• ExelonsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024Exelon served as Gold Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration.
• McDonald'ssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024McDonald's served as Keynote Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration.
• UL SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024UL Solutions served as Wellness Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration.
• Ulta BeautysupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2024Ulta Beauty served as Beauty Bags Sponsor for the LWE 15th Anniversary Celebration.
• Health Care Service CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 September 2024Health Care Service Corporation served as event host for the CEO Perspectives 20th Anniversary Celebration, providing headquarters venue, AV, food and beverages, and team support. HCSC CEO Maurice Smith is a CEO Perspectives Fellow and Board Member.
• Kohl'ssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 May 2023Kohl's co-hosted a strategic networking and wine tasting event with Leading Women Executives in New York City, helping expand Fellows' networks beyond their own companies.
• KPMGsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 September 2022KPMG co-hosted a strategic networking and wine tasting event with Leading Women Executives at Topolobampo restaurant in Chicago. KPMG Managing Principal Linda Imonti, a CEO Perspectives Fellow, participated in welcome remarks.
• DiscoversupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscover serves as sponsor for the LWE podcast 'A Seat at the Table', providing marketing support and brand visibility for the program's monthly podcast featuring leadership discussions with Fortune 500 executives.
• McCormick FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcCormick Foundation partners with Corporate Leadership Center to sponsor a non-profit CEO in each CEO Perspectives cohort, bringing valuable civic perspectives to the program and supporting community work.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD): NACD provides board director education and certification for Fortune 500 directors, overlapping with Corporate Leadership Center's C-suite executive development focus. Both serve senior corporate governance audiences with curated peer learning and certification programs.
• Center for Creative Leadership: CCL is a leading leadership development provider offering executive programs, custom corporate solutions, and research-backed curricula similar to CLC's CEO Perspectives and LWE. Both target senior executive cohorts with cohort-based, multi-module programs.
• Young Presidents' Organization (YPO): YPO provides curated peer executive networks and leadership development for sitting CEOs and presidents, overlapping directly with CLC's CEO Perspectives peer networking value proposition. Both monetize exclusive peer communities of senior business leaders.
• Aspen Institute Business Leadership Program: Aspen Institute offers leadership seminars and executive programs focused on values-based leadership for senior executives, similar in cohort-based format and senior executive audience to CLC. Both operate as non-profits serving curated leadership communities.
• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage provides peer advisory groups and executive coaching for CEOs and senior leaders, overlapping with CLC's networking and leadership development offerings. Both monetize curated peer communities of senior business executives.
• ExCo Leadership: ExCo Leadership provides executive mentoring and peer groups for C-suite executives, with co-founder Sheila Penrose having served as a trusted advisor there. The peer-group mentoring model directly competes with CLC's CEO Perspectives.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard Business School Executive Education: HBS Executive Education offers premium executive leadership programs with similar C-suite audiences to CLC's CEO Perspectives. Both rely on academic faculty, CEO case studies, and peer learning cohorts, though HBS is part of a much larger university portfolio.
• Kellogg Executive Education (Northwestern): Kellogg School of Management provides executive education programs that draw on the same Chicago-based academic talent as CLC's faculty roster. Both serve senior executives with multi-module leadership programs.
• Wharton Executive Education: Wharton offers senior executive leadership programs with research-based curricula and CEO insights comparable to CLC's CEO Perspectives. Both compete for the same Fortune 500 executive development budgets.
• Darden School of Business Executive Education: Darden Executive Education provides research-based leadership programs using the same faculty (including Martin Davidson) referenced in CLC's materials. Both compete for senior executive development engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/corporate-leadership-center
• Xx.com/corpleadcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/Corporate-Leadership-Center-462237453825488

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Corporate Leadership Center