The Leverage Network

What The Leverage Network does

The Leverage Network Inc. is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 to advance African American executives into senior leadership and governance roles across the healthcare industry. The organization addresses the documented underrepresentation of minorities in healthcare leadership, where minorities represent 32% of hospital patients but hold only 14% of hospital board seats (with African Americans at 9%). TLN delivers a multi-stage leadership development pathway under a "Prepare. Position. Promote." framework, anchored by three signature programs: the Mid-Career Odyssey (virtual, $599) for manager- and director-level professionals, Beyond Boundaries ($2,999) for senior leaders preparing for C-suite roles, and the Healthcare Board Initiative ($4,495) for C-suite executives pursuing board service. Two annual convenings — the Executive Women of Color (EWOC) Summit and the Healthcare Innovation Summit — provide high-visibility platforms for leadership visibility and networking. The organization reports that 100% of HcBI alumni across 8 completed cohorts have secured board placements, with 180+ alumni and 1,000+ healthcare professionals participating cumulatively. Revenue is generated through individual membership dues ($399 annual, $4,999 lifetime), program tuition, corporate sponsorships (Ascension Health, Deloitte, EY, Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, GE Healthcare), and foundation grants (W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Deloitte Health Equity Institute). Operationally, TLN runs with 1-10 employees and is led by Founder/CEO Antoinette Hardy-Waller, supported by a board of directors drawn from senior executives at Ascension Health, Kaiser Permanente, McGuireWoods, PNC Bank, and Accenture. There is no proprietary technology platform; the operating model relies on in-person and virtual cohort delivery, content curriculum, and an active alumni network.

Name

The Leverage Network

Legal name

The Leverage Network Inc.

Website

https://theleveragenetworkinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Leverage Network is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that prepares African American healthcare professionals for senior executive and board governance roles through a multi-stage "Prepare. Position. Promote." curriculum of cohort programs, annual summits, and membership dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Leadership Development

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Professional Organizations (81392), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Services & Job Placement Platforms (Jobs, Recruiting, Employer Networks) (EDAFAMAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coaching, Feedback & Mentoring Skills (EDABAMAM)

Keywords

• Executive leadership development
• Healthcare board readiness
• Professional networking services
• Membership-based training
• Governance education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: TLN generates revenue through annual and lifetime membership fees. Annual membership is priced at $399/year with stated annual value of $1,700. Lifetime membership is available for $4,999 one-time payment.
2. Healthcare Board Initiative (HcBI) Program: Executive board readiness program with fee of $4,495, which includes one year of TLN membership. Program is designed for C-Suite executives preparing for board and governance roles.
3. Beyond Boundaries Program: Executive leadership development program with fee of $2,999, including one year TLN membership. Program prepares senior leaders for C-suite roles.
4. Mid-Career Odyssey Program: Virtual two-day mid-career training program with fee of $599, including one year TLN membership. Program prepares manager/director-level professionals for senior leadership roles.
5. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TLN accepts tax-deductible donations. The organization has received grants from organizations including W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Deloitte Health Equity Institute ($150,000 donation).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Leverage Network is a membership-based nonprofit that delivers a structured leadership development pathway for African American healthcare professionals, anchored by General Membership ($399/year or $4,999 lifetime) and three cohort programs — Mid-Career Odyssey ($599, virtual), Beyond Boundaries ($2,999, in-person), and Healthcare Board Initiative ($4,495, in-person) — complemented by two annual summits (EWOC and Healthcare Innovation Summit) that convene executives, innovators, and investors. The organization's offering is built around the Prepare. Position. Promote. framework, providing curriculum, networking, mentorship, and direct engagement with seasoned board leaders to advance members into healthcare executive and governance roles.

Product overview

The Leverage Network is a membership-based professional development organization offering a portfolio of leadership development programs and networking services for healthcare executives. The core offering consists of General Membership ($399 annual / $4,999 lifetime) that provides access to events, resources, and networking, which serves as the foundation for more specialized programs. The product lineup includes three signature in-person programs along a leadership pathway: Mid-Career Odyssey (virtual, $599) for mid-career professionals transitioning to senior leadership; Beyond Boundaries ($2,999) for senior leaders preparing for C-suite roles; and Healthcare Board Initiative ($4,495) for C-suite executives preparing for board service. Two annual summits—Executive Women of Color (EWOC) Summit and Healthcare Innovation Summit—provide high-visibility platforms for professional advancement. Add-on services include The Bridge continued learning program and Fall Joint Networking Reception for program graduates. All programs integrate with the membership tier system through a 'Prepare. Position. Promote.' framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Executive Women of Color (EWOC): Professional development and leadership conference for executive women, featuring immersive leadership development sessions, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• Healthcare Innovation Summit (H.I.S.)

Products and services

• General Membership Annual ($399) or lifetime ($4,999) membership providing access to leadership development resources, exclusive events, workshops, Fall Joint Networking Reception, The Bridge advanced programming, and professional networking within the healthcare leadership community. Includes a 20% discount on EWOC Summit and Healthcare Innovation Summit registration.
• Beyond Boundaries Executive leadership development program that prepares senior healthcare leaders for C-suite and enterprise leadership roles through a two-day in-person forum, webinars, coaching, and capstone experience. $2,999 program fee includes one-year TLN membership.
• Healthcare Board Initiative (HcBI) Board readiness and governance development program for experienced C-suite healthcare leaders aspiring to corporate and healthcare board service. Two-day in-person governance and board leadership sessions with immersive learning, real-world casework, and direct engagement with seasoned board leaders. $4,495 program fee includes one-year TLN membership; limited to first 25 qualified participants.
• Mid-Career Odyssey Two-day virtual immersive leadership training program for manager- and director-level professionals across the healthcare ecosystem, building core leadership capabilities, organizational navigation skills, and strategic career planning to prepare Black executives for C-suite roles. $599 program fee includes one-year TLN membership.
• Executive Women of Color (EWOC) Summit Annual professional development and leadership conference for executive women of color featuring immersive leadership development sessions, keynote conversations with experienced women leaders, mentorship, and networking across healthcare, finance, technology, and food industries. Serves over 200 executive women annually.
• Healthcare Innovation Summit (H.I.S.) Annual strategic gathering of healthcare leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers featuring executive conversations, founder and investor engagement, and curated networking experiences at the intersection of innovation, equity, leadership, and governance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of HcBI alumni have secured board placements
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ascension HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Ascension Health is listed as a strategic partner and sponsor of The Leverage Network. Ascension is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the US.
• DeloitteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Deloitte is listed as a strategic partner. Deloitte Health Equity Institute provided $150,000 donation to support TLN's Beyond Boundaries Program and health equity initiatives.
• Ernst & Young (EY)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020EY is listed as a strategic partner and sponsor. TLN established sponsorship with EY US in 2019 for board diversity initiatives.
• Heidrick & StrugglescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Heidrick & Struggles is listed as a strategic partner and sponsor. International executive search firm partnered with TLN in 2019 for board diversity initiatives.
• NAHSEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020National Association of Health Services Executives listed as partner with logo placement on sponsors page.
• Spencer StuartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Spencer Stuart executive search firm listed as partner with logo placement on sponsors page.
• GE HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020GE Healthcare listed as partner and sponsor of TLN.
• American Osteopathic AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020American Osteopathic Association listed as supporter/sponsor of TLN.
• Morgan StanleyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Morgan Stanley listed as supporter/sponsor of TLN.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Catalyst: Catalyst is a global nonprofit advancing women in leadership through research, advisory, and leadership development programs. Comparable to TLN's EWOC Summit and women-executive development focus, though broader in scope and focused on women generally.
• National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE): NAHSE is a nonprofit professional association for Black healthcare executives, explicitly listed as a TLN strategic partner. Both organizations serve African American healthcare leaders through professional development, networking, and career advancement programming.
• National Black MBA Association: NBMBAA is a nonprofit professional membership organization providing career development, networking, and leadership programming for Black professionals, with a strong emphasis on graduate management education. Serves a similar career-advancement and leadership-development function for an overlapping demographic.
• Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR): HACR is a nonprofit advancing Hispanic inclusion in corporate leadership through leadership development, corporate accountability, and C-suite/board pipeline programs. Highly comparable to TLN's mission of advancing underrepresented minorities into board and executive roles.
• National Medical Association (NMA): NMA is the largest professional organization representing African American physicians and healthcare professionals, providing continuing education, leadership development, and advocacy. Comparable to TLN in serving Black healthcare professionals with development and networking opportunities.
• Executive Leadership Council (ELC): ELC is a nonprofit membership organization for Black senior executives across industries, providing leadership development, board readiness, and C-suite pipeline programs. Highly comparable to TLN's board-readiness and executive development mission, though broader than healthcare alone.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): MLT operates career-acceleration and leadership development programs for high-potential underrepresented talent, including pathways into Fortune 500 and selective grad-school placements. Comparable to TLN's multi-stage leadership development pipeline and career advancement focus.

Broad incumbents

• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE): ACHE is a large professional society for healthcare executives providing credentialing, networking, and education. Overlaps with TLN's executive development and healthcare leadership focus, but serves a much broader demographic and operates as an industry-wide incumbent.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Leadership Programs: RWJF funds a portfolio of health leadership development programs targeting diverse leaders in healthcare. Comparable as a major philanthropic funder in the same mission space, though operates as a grantmaker rather than a direct program operator.

Emerging players

• Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP): WOCIP is a nonprofit supporting women of color in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries through professional development and networking. Comparable to TLN's EWOC programming in addressing the intersection of women-of-color leadership and healthcare-adjacent industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TLN_INC
• Facebookfacebook.com/theleveragenetworkinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-leverage-network-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 The Leverage Network