EMS Leadership Academy

What EMS Leadership Academy does

EMS Leadership Academy (legal entity: EMS Leadership LLC), founded in 2012 and headquartered in Albany, New York, is a niche training and professional development provider focused exclusively on leadership development for emergency medical services (EMS) professionals. The company was co-founded by Lisa Giruzzi and Robbie MacCue and operates with 1–10 employees, delivering curriculum both directly and through strategic distribution partners. Its offerings span an annual free virtual EMS Leadership Summit (12,000+ attendees, 140+ speakers, 200k live-stream reach), individual online courses (Essential Communications $147; Foundations for Effective Leadership LIVE Training $497–$997; Keeping the Best $997; Leadership I/II/Coaching; The Language of Leadership; DEI Training for Care Providers), supporting books and audio programs, organization-wide licensing, and a planned 2026 free leadership assessment tied to charitable donations.

The company's go-to-market is anchored on a freemium funnel: the annual Summit and forthcoming assessment drive top-of-funnel awareness, while paid courses and live training convert individuals and EMS agencies into paying customers. Distribution is amplified through Core GTM partners Lexipol and EMS1 Magazine, Core supporters Zoll and FirstNet by AT&T, and a strategic/accrediting relationship with the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA) and the New York State Bureau of EMS, which confers approved CEU credit. Customer evidence spans FDNY-EMS, New York Presbyterian Hospital Ambulance, Sedgwick County EMS, Superior Ambulance Service, and other municipal, county, hospital, and private EMS agencies, with claimed training reach of 17,000–20,000+ professionals across 44 countries.

The business is bootstrapped (no external funding disclosed) and relies on a web-based LMS for delivery. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary data flywheel, or quantitative revenue figures are disclosed in the input. The model is high-margin on digital delivery but constrained by a small team, founder-led content production, and reliance on third-party distribution and association relationships to access EMS decision-makers.

Name

EMS Leadership Academy

Legal name

EMS Leadership LLC

Website

https://emsleadershipacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EMS Leadership Academy, founded 2012 in Albany, NY, provides leadership and communication training exclusively for emergency medical services professionals, delivering online courses, live training, and an annual free virtual Summit that has trained 17,000+ practitioners across 44 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Leadership Development Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

EMS Education, Training & Simulation Centers (HLAFANAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedic) Training (EDAOAMAC)

Keywords

• Leadership development training
• EMS continuing education
• Executive coaching services
• Professional training courses
• Virtual leadership summit

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Online Course Sales: Individual enrollment in self-paced online courses including the Essential Communications Course ($147), DEI Training, and Keeping the Best coaching program ($997 lifetime access). Courses are delivered through the company's e-commerce platform with checkout capability.
2. Live Training Events: Revenue from in-person/virtual live training programs such as the Foundations for Effective Leadership LIVE Training (June 2025: $497 early bird, regular $997). Includes optional third day focused on recruitment strategies.
3. Annual EMS Leadership Summit: The five-day virtual annual summit is offered free to participants, suggesting a lead-generation and community-building function rather than primary revenue source. Features virtual exhibitor hall with industry partners.
4. Book and Resource Sales: Sale of books including 'Making Good of the Order the BEST Part of Your Meetings' and audio programs such as 'Influence without Arm-Twisting'. Products available through the shop and checkout platform.
5. Organization-wide Licensing: Discounted organization-wide licensing with streamlined invoicing for agencies purchasing courses for multiple leaders. Consolidated invoice billing with 30-day terms available for agency clients.
6. Charitable Donations from Assessments: The Academy donates $1 for every completed free communication self-assessment to three EMS-focused nonprofit organizations (Mind the Frontline, National EMS Management Association, National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers). This is a cost center rather than revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EMS Leadership Academy provides specialized leadership development training, coaching programs, and continuing education courses designed exclusively for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) professionals and the agencies that employ them. Its core deliverables include self-paced online courses (Essential Communications Course, Leadership I & II, Coaching program, Keeping the Best™, DEI Training for Care Providers), a three-day Foundations for Effective EMS Leadership LIVE Training event, and the annual five-day virtual EMS Leadership Summit, all delivered through a web-based learning management system with NEMSMA-approved CME/CLE/CEU credits.

Product overview

EMS Leadership Academy offers a comprehensive portfolio of leadership development products for the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) industry. The core offerings include the annual EMS Leadership Summit (a five-day virtual conference), the Foundations for Effective Leadership LIVE Training (3-day live event), and a suite of self-paced online courses (Essential Communications Course, Leadership I & II, Coaching program, Keeping the Best™, and DEI Training). Additional products include books authored by co-founders Lisa Giruzzi and Robbie MacCue, audio programs, and free assessment tools. The Academy operates on a platform model where courses can be delivered individually or bundled for organizational licensing, reaching over 20,000 prehospital leaders across 44 countries since 2019.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMS Leadership Summit: Annual virtual conference for EMS leaders worldwide featuring expert speakers, interactive sessions, and virtual exhibit hall. Now in its 5th year, the summit has brought together over 200 industry leaders from around the world.

Products and services

• Essential Communications Course A 7-day self-paced online communication training program teaching EMS leaders communication strategies to transform organizational culture, reduce conflict, and create magnetic organizations. Offers 3.5 hours of NEMSMA-approved CME/CEU. Priced at $147 (normal $297).
• Leadership I: Breathing Life Into Your Organization Foundational leadership training teaching EMS leaders how to influence others without manipulation, bring out the best in others, and create a vision others want to follow. Part of the Academy's three-course foundational core curriculum.
• Leadership II: Advancing Leadership Capacity Advanced leadership course building on Leadership I, covering bringing vision to reality, holding others accountable, and delegation. Pre-requisite: completion of Leadership I.
• Coaching: Bringing out the Best in Others Coaching training program teaching the fundamental role of a coach, six distinctions vital for coaching success, and a framework for developing employees into highly engaged peak performers.
• Keeping the Best™ Online coaching and mentorship training program designed to help EMS leaders retain top talent and cultivate a high-performing organizational culture. Includes six coaching distinctions, self-paced online learning, audio/video resources, and lifetime access at $997 (normal $1,197).
• DEI Training for Care Providers Online self-paced DEI training designed for care providers with approximately 3 hours of NEMSMA-approved CME/CLE hours. Three-step approach covering mindset and neuroscience, psychological safety, and creating inclusive environments. Organization-wide licensing available with discounted enterprise pricing.
• The Language of Leadership Advanced communication course focused on leadership communication strategies to address burnout and disengagement in the EMS workforce, launched in tandem with the rebranded Essential Communication Course.
• Foundations for Effective EMS Leadership LIVE Training Three-day live intensive training program (Days 1-2: Realize and Optimize; Optional Day 3: Recruitment) focused on personal mindset shift, developing others, and recruitment strategy. Priced at $497 early bird (normal $997). June 2025 event scheduled June 10-11, 2025 with optional recruitment Day 3.
• EMS Leadership Summit Annual five-day virtual asynchronous conference for EMS leaders worldwide featuring expert speakers, interactive sessions, expert panels, and a virtual exhibit hall. Attracts 10,000-12,000 participants from 44 countries and has featured 140+ speakers since 2019. Free to participants.
• Organization-wide Licensing Discounted organization-wide licensing of Academy courses for EMS agencies purchasing access for multiple leaders. Includes consolidated invoice billing with 30-day terms for agency clients. Available for Essential Communications Course, Keeping the Best™, DEI Training, and the foundational Leadership curriculum.
• 42 Rules for Creating WE Co-authored book by Lisa Giruzzi that reached #1 on Amazon in Leadership, Management, Motivation, and Organizational Behavior categories. Sells through Amazon and the Academy shop.
• Making Good of the Order the BEST Part of Your Meetings Book by Lisa Giruzzi with 12 months of short meeting activities and actionable handouts designed to transform EMS organization culture, sold through the Academy's shop.
• Bringing Out The Best In Your Employees Guide for managers and supervisors on engaging and empowering employees through effective communication, authored by Lisa Giruzzi and bundled with the Keeping the Best program.
• 31 Days to Transform Your Life Book by Lisa Giruzzi focused on personal development and mindset transformation, sold through lisagiruzzi.com and the Academy shop.
• Influence without Arm-Twisting 60-minute audio program teaching strategies for positively influencing others in an organization, authored by Lisa Giruzzi and sold through the Academy checkout.
• Free Communication Self-Assessment Tool Free self-assessment tool for EMS leaders to identify leadership communication blind spots. The Academy donates $1 to EMS nonprofits for every completed assessment.

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LexipolcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner participating in the EMS Leadership Summit's virtual exhibitor hall. Lexipol is a leading provider of policy and training solutions for public safety agencies. The partnership provides exposure and collaboration at the Academy's flagship annual event.
• NEMSMA (National EMS Management Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEMSMA is a key industry partner and the Academy's courses are NEMSMA-approved for CME/CLE/CEU credits. NEMSMA's 7 Pillars framework informed the Academy's custom curriculum developed for the New York State Bureau of EMS. Partnership provides industry credibility and continuing education accreditation.
• PHASEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner participating in the EMS Leadership Summit's virtual exhibitor hall. PHASE provides products/services to the EMS industry and collaborates through the Academy's annual event.
• NinthBrainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner participating in the EMS Leadership Summit's virtual exhibitor hall. NinthBrain provides learning and development solutions relevant to EMS leadership training.
• ERSIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner participating in the EMS Leadership Summit's virtual exhibitor hall. ERSI provides products/services to the EMS industry.
• ZollcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry supporter of the EMS Leadership Academy recognized for supporting the Academy's role in shaping the future of EMS leadership. Zoll is a leading manufacturer of resuscitation and defibrillation devices.
• FirstNet by AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry supporter of the EMS Leadership Academy. FirstNet is the nationwide public safety broadband network dedicated to first responders.
• Mind the FrontlineminorOthersEMS-focused nonprofit organization. The Academy donates $1 for every completed free communication self-assessment to Mind the Frontline and two other EMS nonprofits, supporting mental health resources for frontline first responders.
• National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers (NAMIHP)minorOthersEMS-focused nonprofit organization and recipient of donations from the Academy's free assessment tool program. NAMIHP represents providers of mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine services.
• EMS1 MagazinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Academy's co-founders contribute featured columns to EMS1 magazine, providing thought leadership content. EMS1 is a leading online resource for EMS professionals, offering news, education, and industry information.
• New York State Bureau of EMScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy developed custom leadership curriculum for the New York State Bureau of EMS, aligned with the NEMSMA 7 Pillars framework. This partnership demonstrates industry-standard curriculum development expertise.
• CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAMTS provides accreditation standards for Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) and Community Paramedicine programs. The Academy references CAMTS standards in its community paramedicine content and training.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ImageTrend: ImageTrend provides EMS data, software, and educational resources to EMS and fire agencies. It is an emerging/adjacent peer because, like the Academy, it serves EMS operational and leadership teams, though its focus is data/operations software rather than leadership training.
• Prodigy EMS / EMS University: Prodigy EMS / EMS University is an online training provider for EMS continuing education and certification. It is an emerging player peer because it sells CEU-bearing online courses to EMS practitioners, similar to the Academy's self-paced product line, although it focuses on clinical content rather than leadership.

Direct peers

• National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA): NEMSMA is the industry association that defines the 7 Pillars leadership framework referenced in the Academy's curriculum and accredits its courses for CME/CLE/CEU. It is a direct peer because it shapes the same EMS leadership standards the Academy teaches to and is also a co-development partner.
• Lexipol: Lexipol is a leading policy and training solutions provider for public safety and EMS agencies. It is a direct peer of EMS Leadership Academy because both serve EMS/public-safety leadership buyers with knowledge, training, and policy products, and Lexipol is an explicit GTM/Marketing partner of the Academy.
• EMS1: EMS1 is the leading online news, education, and resource destination for EMS professionals. It is a direct peer to the Academy because both monetize EMS professionals' attention via content, training, and thought leadership, and EMS1 publishes the Academy founders' columns.
• Priority Dispatch / International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED): Priority Dispatch and IAED provide accredited training, certification, and protocols for EMS dispatch and operations. It is a direct peer because it monetizes standardized training and continuing education for EMS professionals, similar to the Academy's CEU-bearing courses, though focused on dispatch rather than leadership.
• Fitch & Associates: Fitch & Associates is a long-standing EMS consulting firm focused on EMS system design, leadership, and operations improvement. It is a direct peer because it sells consulting and leadership development services to the same EMS agency and leader buyer that the Academy serves through its courses and live trainings.

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association (Emergency Cardiovascular Care): The AHA sells accredited clinical and resuscitation training and certification widely adopted in EMS. It is a broad incumbent peer because it dominates accredited continuing education for EMS professionals, the same CEU category that the Academy's NEMSMA-approved courses compete within.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/911Leadership
• Facebookfacebook.com/EMSLeadershipAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/911leadership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 EMS Leadership Academy