Tobias Leadership Center

What Tobias Leadership Center does

Tobias Leadership Center is a non-profit academic center housed within the Indiana University Kelley School of Business at IUPUI in Indianapolis, founded in 2004 with a $5.25 million contribution from the Randall L. Tobias Foundation. Its core offering is the Tobias Fellows Program, a yearlong, cohort-based leadership development experience for senior leaders across for-profit, non-profit, government, and education sectors, featuring 11 retreats, one-on-one executive coaching, and competency development across self-awareness, mindset, vision, perspective, collaboration, and communication. The center generates revenue through Fellows program fees ($13,000 per Fellow, typically employer-sponsored), the annual Tobias Tune-Up LEAD conference ($650 individual tickets, $5,000 tables, plus tiered sponsorships from $2,500 to $20,000), donations, and the Randall L. Tobias Foundation endowment, with supplemental funding from Indiana University and the Carol Madison Fund supporting not-for-profit leader participation.

Complementing the flagship program, the center runs the Hazelett Forum (free annual women-in-leadership event), the Leadership Insights Oral History Collection (40+ interviews with influential leaders), the In-Residence Programs (Executive and Scholar in Residence), and content properties such as 'Born or Made' and 'Leaders Are Readers.' Its go-to-market is event- and cohort-driven: applications are reviewed for cross-sector cohort balance, and 320+ alumni across nearly 198 organizations constitute the Tobias Leadership Network. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; computer-based simulations are part of the Fellows curriculum but no AI/ML, SaaS, or platform products are offered. Distribution is regional (Midwest, with national alumni and global research reach via the International Leadership Association partnership), and the center operates with 1–10 staff under Managing Director Chris Smithhisler and Executive & Academic Director Julie Manning Magid.

Name

Tobias Leadership Center

Legal name

Tobias Leadership Center, Indiana University

Website

https://tobiascenter.iu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tobias Leadership Center is a non-profit leadership development center within Indiana University's Kelley School of Business that runs a yearlong cross-sector Fellows program, annual conferences, and oral history research for senior leaders across Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Leadership Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Succession Planning & High-Potential (HiPo) Leadership Programs (EDABAAAL), Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams) (EDABANAF), Leadership Assessment, 360 Feedback & Development Planning (EDABAAAK), Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams (EDABAAAM), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)

Keywords

• Executive leadership development
• Professional development programs
• Leadership coaching services
• Peer learning cohorts
• Leadership research archive

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Tobias Fellows Program Fees: The primary revenue stream is the Tobias Fellows yearlong program at $13,000 per Fellow. This all-inclusive fee covers 11 leadership retreats, meals, lodging, instructional costs, one-on-one executive coaching sessions, assessment instruments, educational resources, and computer-based simulations. Travel to retreats is not included. Fellows' organizations typically sponsor all or most of the program cost.
2. LEAD Conference Revenue: The Tobias Tune-Up: A Day of Leadership, Engagement, and Discovery (LEAD) is a one-day conference generating revenue through individual tickets ($650) and table purchases ($5,000 for 8 seats). Ticket includes breakfast, lunch, networking reception, and conference materials.
3. Donations and Endowment Income: The center receives charitable contributions including a portion of LEAD ticket sales supporting the Carol Madison Fund for Tobias Fellows, which reduces participation costs for not-for-profit leaders. Additional funding comes from Indiana University and the Randall L. Tobias Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Tobias Leadership Center delivers executive leadership development through cohort-based peer learning programs anchored by the yearlong Tobias Fellows Program ($13,000 per Fellow covering 11 retreats, one-on-one executive coaching, assessments, and simulations). Supplemental offerings include the LEAD one-day leadership conference, the Hazelett Forum on women's leadership, the Leadership Insights Oral History Collection, and the Tobias Leadership Network alumni community of 320+ Fellows. Programs are designed for senior leaders across for-profit, non-profit, government, and education sectors.

Product overview

Tobias Leadership Center is a leadership development and research center housed in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. The center offers a portfolio of signature programs centered on leadership development and research dissemination. The core offerings include the Tobias Fellows Program (an intensive yearlong leadership development experience with peer learning cohorts, retreats, and executive coaching), the Leadership Insights Oral History Collection (an archive of interviews with influential leaders), Tobias Tune-Up/LEAD (a one-day leadership retreat), and the Hazelett Forum (a women in leadership forum). Supporting programs include the In-Residence Programs (Executive and Scholar in Residence), Born or Made (leadership insights exploration), Leaders Are Readers (book recommendations), and the Tobias Leadership Network (alumni network for Fellows). The center bridges the gap between leadership knowledge and practice through research, real-world application, and transformative experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tobias Fellows Program: An intensive, yearlong leadership development experience for senior leaders across all sectors.
• Hazelett Forum
• Leadership Engagement and Discovery (LEAD)
• Oral History Project
• Leadership Insights Collection

Products and services

• Tobias Fellows Program An intensive, yearlong leadership development program for senior leaders across all sectors, featuring peer learning cohorts of 15-20 leaders from for-profit, non-profit, government, and education sectors, 11 immersive retreats, one-on-one executive coaching (5 sessions), assessment instruments, computer-based simulations, and development of six key competencies: Self-Awareness, Mindset, Vision, Perspective, Collaboration, and Communication. Priced at $13,000 per Fellow.
• Leadership Insights Oral History Collection

Quantifiable outcome

• 320+ leaders have completed the program since 2006, with 198 organizations represented across cohorts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• IU Kelley School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004The Tobias Leadership Center is housed in the Kelley School of Business at IU Indianapolis. Executive & Academic Director Julie Manning Magid serves as Vice Dean of the Kelley School. The partnership provides academic rigor, faculty access, and institutional infrastructure for program delivery.
• Indiana University (IUPUI Campus)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004The center is located on the IUPUI campus at 801 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis. IU provides administrative infrastructure, branding, and operational support. The center serves all of Indiana University from this location.
• IU School of EducationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner within Indiana University contributing to leadership research and educational programming.
• IU O'Neill School of Public and Environmental AffairssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner within Indiana University contributing public policy and environmental affairs expertise to leadership programs.
• IU Lilly Family School of PhilanthropysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing philanthropy and charitable sector expertise to leadership programming.
• Indiana University BloomingtonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship campus of Indiana University. Erik Gonzalez-Mulé serves as Chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at Kelley Bloomington, contributing faculty and research expertise.
• Invest Hamilton CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced in 2026 for the Manager Development Lab initiative, extending leadership development services beyond the core Fellows program to serve the local business community.
• International Leadership Association (ILA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association supporting leadership research and dissemination. The Tobias Leadership Center partners with ILA to conduct oral histories of leaders honored with lifetime achievement awards, expanding the center's research collection globally.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Vistage: A peer-group leadership development and executive coaching organization for CEOs and business leaders. Comparable to Tobias in cohort-based peer learning and executive coaching, though focused on for-profit business leaders primarily.
• International Leadership Association: A global association supporting leadership research and practice. Comparable to Tobias in its focus on cross-sector leadership research and convening, and an active partner of the Center on the Oral History Project.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): A global community of chief executives offering peer learning and leadership development. Comparable to Tobias in cohort-based executive development and cross-organizational networking, though at a much larger global scale.

Broad incumbents

• Kellogg Executive Education (Northwestern): Major provider of executive leadership programs within a top business school. Comparable to Tobias in combining academic rigor with cohort-based executive development, but with broader footprint and higher price points.
• Darden Executive Education (UVA): Business school executive education offering leadership development programs. Comparable to Tobias in offering cohort-based leadership training, with similar academic-affiliation model and faculty-driven delivery.
• Harvard Business School Executive Education: A premier executive education provider offering advanced management programs for senior leaders. Comparable to Tobias in offering cohort-based leadership development for executives, though at much larger scale and price point.
• Brookings Executive Education: Executive education programs within a major policy think tank, offering leadership development for senior public and private sector leaders. Comparable to Tobias in cross-sector leadership focus and mission-driven structure.
• Wharton Executive Education: Top-tier executive education provider offering leadership programs for senior executives. Comparable to Tobias in targeting experienced leaders with cohort-based development, though at a larger institutional scale.

Direct peers

• Center for Creative Leadership: A leading global provider of leadership development programs with cohort-based experiences, executive coaching, and research. Directly comparable to Tobias in mission, target audience of senior leaders, and retreat-based experiential learning model.
• Aspen Institute: A non-profit fostering leadership across sectors through cohort-based programs and convenings. Directly comparable to Tobias in cross-sector leadership development, mission-driven non-profit structure, and retreat-based programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tobias-leadership-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tobias Leadership Center