What Leadershape does

LeaderShape, Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 and headquartered virtually (Champaign, IL mailing address), delivering a portfolio of six leadership development programs primarily to higher-education, corporate, nonprofit, and high-school audiences. Its curriculum is built around an integrity- and possibility-anchored leadership framework ("Leadership is the practice of co-creating a just, caring, and thriving world through living uniquely with integrity") and is delivered through three in-person programs—The LeaderShape Institute (4-day immersive flagship, $16,000 hosting contract for up to 60 participants), Catalyst (1-day workshop at $6,200), Living in Possibility (1-day on-campus at $6,200)—plus three download-and-go curricula (Courageous Dialogue, Resilience, Align-Empower-Sustain, each $1,750 perpetual license). The underlying technology is proprietary, trademarked, and federally copyrighted curriculum content, including frameworks such as the LeaderShape Leadership Definition Framework, Possibility Thinking, Courageous Dialogue, and the Model of Resilience, supported by facilitator guides, slide presentations, participant manuals, and self-assessment instruments.

The business model combines direct-facilitation professional services (campus-hosted, fee-for-delivery), curriculum licensing (download-and-go perpetual licenses), recurring train-the-trainer subscriptions ($2,500–$4,500/yr bundled with quarterly coaching and certification), and donative revenue (tax-deductible monthly and one-time gifts). Go-to-market is partnership-driven: a Director of Campus Growth cultivates enterprise relationships with colleges, universities, Greek organizations, and corporations; a separate channel supports individual attendance at regional Institute national sessions in Georgia and Illinois. The organization operates with a lean core staff of six people distributed across the U.S., governed by a board of 15+ directors drawn largely from senior Student Affairs leadership in higher education, and reports 90+ campus partners and 81,000+ lifetime Institute participants. The Shopify-branded curriculum storefront, the train-the-trainer license model, and trademark/copyright protection across the program portfolio indicate a deliberate shift toward more scalable, asset-light distribution alongside the traditional facilitator-led delivery model.

Name

Leadershape

Legal name

LeaderShape, Inc.

Website

https://leadershape.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LeaderShape, Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that designs and delivers six proprietary leadership development programs—in-person workshops (Institute, Catalyst, Living in Possibility) and download-and-go curricula (Courageous Dialogue, Resilience, Align-Empower-Sustain)—to colleges, universities, corporations, nonprofits, and high schools through direct facilitation, train-the-trainer licensing, and curriculum sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Government & Leadership Programs (EDALAHAA), Change Management & Transformation Leadership (EDABAAAD), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Student leadership training
• Facilitator curriculum licensing
• Professional development workshops
• Campus retreat facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Champaign

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Facilitation Fees: Fees charged for on-campus program facilitation by LeaderShape-trained facilitators. Living in Possibility and Catalyst programs are facilitated by LeaderShape staff at partner campuses.
2. Curriculum Licensing: Sale of curriculum packages (facilitator guides, slide presentations, participant manuals) for download-and-go programs. Programs include Resilience, Courageous Dialogue, and Align, Empower, Sustain. One-time purchase allows unlimited facilitation.
3. Train-the-Trainer Licensing: Annual license fees for campus-based facilitators to be trained and certified to deliver Catalyst program independently, with quarterly coaching sessions included.
4. Institute Hosting Contracts: Contract fees for hosting The LeaderShape Institute on campus. Includes facilitation, materials, and program delivery for up to 60 participants.
5. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting leadership development. Monthly giving options and one-time gifts accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LeaderShape designs and delivers leadership development curricula and facilitated workshops for college students and professionals. Its portfolio centers on a flagship four-day LeaderShape Institute, a one-day Catalyst workshop, a one-day Living in Possibility program, and downloadable curricula (Courageous Dialogue, Resilience, and Align, Empower, Sustain). Programs are delivered on partner campuses by LeaderShape staff or by licensees trained through an annual train-the-trainer model.

Product overview

LeaderShape offers a portfolio of six distinct leadership development programs: three in-person offerings (The LeaderShape Institute as the flagship 4-day immersive experience, Catalyst as a one-day workshop for newly-emerging leaders, and Living in Possibility as a one-day possibility-thinking program) plus three download-and-go curriculum programs (Courageous Dialogue for dialogue skills, Resilience for stress management, and Align/Empower/Sustain as a three-part organizational development series). The programs serve colleges, universities, corporations, nonprofits, and high schools, delivered in various formats including virtual, in-person, large group, small group, personal reflection, and activities-based learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The LeaderShape Institute The flagship four-day immersive leadership development program that helps individuals identify the values they hold that make a difference in their communities, create a vision for change, and build a supportive learning community. Designed for emerging and established leaders.
• Catalyst One-day leadership development workshop for newly-emerging leaders focused on self-discovery and having a positive impact on community through exploration of identities, skills, and group leadership behaviors. Available via on-campus facilitator-led delivery or annual train-the-trainer licensing for campus staff.
• Living in Possibility A one-day in-person program designed to help participants develop possibility thinking as a leadership skill, build authentic connections, and learn to see beyond limitations while challenging assumptions about how things are supposed to be.
• Courageous Dialogue A two-hour in-person download-and-go curriculum that helps participants practice skills and principles for engaging in challenging conversations and creating spaces for courageous conversations within their organizations. Sold via one-time perpetual license with unlimited facilitation rights.
• Resilience A two-hour in-person curriculum designed to help participants build practical skills for managing change and uncertainty, strengthening stress responses, and re-training brains to increase enjoyment for life. Sold as a one-time perpetual curriculum package.
• Align, Empower, Sustain A three-part download-and-go curriculum designed to re-invigorate student organizations by exploring organizational consistency (Align), focusing on member engagement strategies (Empower), and ending with long-term culture creation (Sustain). Includes facilitator guides, slide presentations, participant manuals, and quarterly coaching sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of participants say a LeaderShape experience helped them develop a capacity to lead
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Adelphi UniversityminorOthersCampus partner utilizing LeaderShape programs for student leadership development. Listed among 90+ collegiate partners.
• Auburn University at MontgomeryminorOthersCampus partner in the LeaderShape network of collegiate partners offering leadership development programs.
• Boise State UniversityminorOthersCampus partner; Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Jeremiah Shinn serves on LeaderShape Board of Directors.
• Florida State UniversityminorOthersLong-standing campus partner. Research Committee Chair Kathy Guthrie is Professor at Florida State University.
• University of TennesseeminorOthersActive campus partner with testimonial endorsement from Assistant Director of Student Orientation & Leadership Development.
• University of MichiganminorOthersCampus partner providing leadership development opportunities for students through LeaderShape programs.
• Delta Tau DeltaminorOthersGreek fraternity partner utilizing LeaderShape curriculum for leadership development of members.
• Ferris State UniversityminorOthersCampus partner; Chairperson Jeanine Ward-Roof is Vice President for Student Affairs at Ferris State University.
• Columbia UniversityminorOthersCampus partner in the LeaderShape network serving students and young professionals.
• University of ChicagominorOthersCampus partner offering LeaderShape leadership development programs to students.
• Fraternity and Sorority OrganizationsminorOthersGreek organizations including Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Tau Delta partner with LeaderShape for leadership curriculum integration.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Outward Bound: Outward Bound delivers experiential leadership development through outdoor adventures and group challenges. Comparable to LeaderShape's experiential, values-driven leadership model though differing in delivery (outdoor vs. retreat-based), with overlapping target audiences including students and corporate teams.
• National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS): NSLS is the largest collegiate leadership honor society in the U.S., offering leadership programs, speaker broadcasts, and events on partner campuses. Directly comparable to LeaderShape's collegiate student leadership focus and partnership model, with a similar revenue model tied to campus-based membership.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a globally recognized leadership development provider offering programs, assessments, and coaching for individuals and organizations. Directly comparable to LeaderShape in delivering structured leadership curriculum, though CCL skews more toward corporate/executive audiences while LeaderShape anchors in collegiate.

Broad incumbents

• FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey offers a broad portfolio of leadership, productivity, and organizational training content (including 'The 7 Habits'). Comparable in curriculum licensing and facilitation-based delivery, but operates at a much larger scale and serves primarily corporate clients.
• Dale Carnegie & Associates: Dale Carnegie is a long-established, global leadership and soft-skills training franchise with courses on communication, influence, and interpersonal skills. Comparable in delivering trainer-led leadership development with a defined curriculum, but operates at much greater scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• YMCA of the USA: YMCA runs nationally recognized youth leadership development programs (e.g., Youth & Government, Leaders Club) targeting students including first-generation college-goers. Comparable in mission and student/youth leadership focus, but operates a broader facility-based youth development model rather than facilitator-led curricula.

Emerging players

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is a nonprofit wilderness education organization offering leadership courses through extended outdoor expeditions. Comparable to LeaderShape in being a mission-driven leadership development nonprofit with strong brand, but with a fundamentally different delivery model (wilderness expeditions vs. facilitated retreats).
• Toastmasters International: Toastmasters is a membership-based leadership and communication development organization with a global club network. Comparable to LeaderShape in mission (developing leadership capacity) and self-sustaining peer-driven delivery, though it lacks LeaderShape's facilitator-led immersive curriculum model.
• Cor Leadership / Leader in Me (FranklinCovey): Leader in Me is FranklinCovey's K-12 leadership development program operating in thousands of schools globally. Comparable to LeaderShape's high school expansion segment and offers curriculum-led student leadership, providing a relevant benchmark for entry into the K-12 vertical.

Others

• NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education: NASPA is the leading professional association for student affairs administrators in higher education, providing professional development, training, and resources that intersect with LeaderShape's student affairs buyer base. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant serving the same institutional decision-makers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LeaderShape

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 Leadershape