The High Center

What The High Center does

The High Center is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1995 by S. Dale High and headquartered at Elizabethtown College in Central Pennsylvania. It serves family-owned, privately held, and nonprofit organizations through a unified suite of services: confidential Executive Peer Groups (cohorts of 12-15 business leaders), a Leadership Speaker Series featuring nationally recognized experts, Best Practice and Exit Planning Readiness Surveys for strategic planning, and a dedicated Nonprofit Center. The organization operates across six Central Pennsylvania regions (Lancaster, Berks, Montgomery, Lehigh Valley, York, Harrisburg) and supports a corporate partner ecosystem of 40+ financial, legal, accounting, and advisory firms.

The High Center generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions (quote-based, not publicly disclosed), event registration fees (e.g., $75 per non-member attendee), and corporate partner sponsorships. Its go-to-market is community- and event-led, with growth driven by member referrals, signature events (annual Evolution Leadership Conference, High Center Business Forum, regional On The Road Workshops), and corporate partner networks. There is no proprietary technology platform; the underlying delivery mechanism is facilitated in-person programming and direct member engagement. The Center reports serving 'hundreds of businesses' with 200+ executives participating in peer groups annually, supported by a lean staff of 13 employees.

The organization is institutionally affiliated with Elizabethtown College, which provides physical infrastructure (One Alpha Drive, S. Dale High Leadership Center in Lancaster) and academic credibility. Leadership includes an Executive Director (Michael Mitchell, Wharton MBA, former CEO of Amelia's Grocery Outlets) and multiple Senior and Managing Directors with regional coverage. The High Center is governed as a nonprofit with no external investment or private equity ownership indicated.

Name

The High Center

Legal name

The High Center

Website

https://thehighcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The High Center is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1995, serving family-owned, privately held, and nonprofit organizations in Central Pennsylvania through executive peer groups, leadership speaker series, and strategic planning surveys across six regional markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Advisory and Professional Development Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA), Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards (THAHAMAD)

Keywords

• Executive peer groups
• Leadership development
• Family business advisory
• Succession planning education
• Business peer networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Elizabethtown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees for family and privately held businesses. Membership provides access to peer groups, speaker series events, best practice surveys, and other member resources.
2. Event Fees and Sponsorships: Revenue is also generated through event registration fees for workshops and leadership speaker series. Corporate partners and sponsors support various events and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The High Center is a nonprofit membership organization that delivers executive peer group programs, leadership speaker events, best practice and exit planning surveys, and annual conferences to family-owned and privately held businesses across Central Pennsylvania. Services are bundled into an annual membership that provides access to confidential peer advisory cohorts of 12–15 executives, seminars led by nationally recognized speakers, strategic planning surveys, and regional workshops. A dedicated Nonprofit Center extends peer groups and educational resources to nonprofit organizations.

Product overview

The High Center is a membership-based organization offering a unified suite of services for family and privately held businesses. Its core portfolio includes Executive Peer Groups (confidential advisory cohorts of 12-15 members), the Leadership Speaker Series (seminars with national business experts), and Best Practice and Exit Planning Readiness Surveys. The Nonprofit Center extends these services to the nonprofit sector. The organization also runs signature events including the annual Evolution Leadership Conference and High Center Business Forum, plus regional On The Road Workshops across six Central Pennsylvania regions. All services are delivered through an annual membership model, with member companies receiving access to the full ecosystem of peer learning, education, and planning tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nonprofit Center: Building on Elizabethtown College's mission, The High Center for Nonprofits is committed to strengthening and advancing the knowledge, networks and skills of the region's nonprofit changemakers.
• Executive Peer Groups
• Leadership Speaker Series
• Best Practice and Exit Planning Readiness Surveys

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 200 executives gain competitive edge through peer groups annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

34 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum partner, regional partner, founding partner, capital partner and community partner.

• The High Companiesplatinum partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner supporting The High Center activities. The High Companies is affiliated with founder S. Dale High through High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC.
• Barley Snyderplatinum partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing legal expertise and resources for family businesses.
• Fulton Bankplatinum partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing banking and financial services expertise for member businesses.
• Cherry Bekaertregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and advisory firm serving as partner in Berks and Lancaster regions, providing tax, accounting, and consulting services.
• Compass Point Consultingfounding partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner specializing in growth strategy and ownership transition for family businesses. Serves as moderator for various events.
• EHD Insuranceregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance partner in Berks region providing specialized coverage for family businesses.
• EOS Worldwideregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurial Operating System implementers Bill Stratton, Will Omlor, Matt Foss, James Wisdom, and Chris Corgnati provide business operating system expertise across multiple regions.
• Greater Reading Chamber Allianceregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber alliance partner in Berks region supporting business community engagement.
• RKLregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA and business consulting firm providing accounting and advisory services to members.
• Goodwill Keystone Areacapital partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in Capital region providing workforce development resources.
• McKonly and Asbury LLPcapital partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services with expertise in nonprofit and manufacturing sectors.
• North Group Consultantscapital partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational health and performance consulting partner for Capital and Lancaster regions. Founder Roger North serves as event moderator.
• Core4 Management Systemregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerManagement system partner in Lancaster region.
• McConkey Insurance & Benefitsregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance and benefits partner in Lancaster region.
• Sandler Trainingregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSales training partner in Lancaster region providing professional development workshops.
• Simon Leverregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and advisory partner in Lancaster region.
• Target Media/Revelregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarketing and media partner in Lancaster region.
• CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)regional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm providing tax, accounting, outsourcing, and talent solutions in Lehigh Valley region.
• Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubbaregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing legal services including estate planning and business law in Lehigh Valley region.
• PRISM AI Consultantsregional partnerTechnology or IntegrationAI consulting partner in Lehigh Valley region.
• Company Counsel LLCregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services partner in Montgomery region.
• Empirical Consulting Solutionsregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner in Montgomery region providing leadership and organizational expertise.
• The O'Connor Groupregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR consulting and executive search firm in Montgomery region, WBENC-certified.
• Univest Insuranceregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance partner in Montgomery region.
• Brown Plusregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and advisory partner in York region.
• Dame Leadershipregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership development partner in York region.
• Brian White (EOS)regional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEOS implementer serving York region with entrepreneurial operating system expertise.
• The Glatfelter Agencyregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance partner in York region.
• True Edge Performance Solutionsregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance and leadership consulting partner in York region.
• Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDCcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber and economic development partner supporting Harrisburg region.
• High Foundationcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner founded by S. Dale High supporting Lancaster community and philanthropy.
• Lancaster SHRMcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR professional association partner in Lancaster region.
• The Foundation for Enhancing Communitiescommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation partner supporting regional philanthropy.
• York County Community Foundationcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation partner in York region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): EO is a global membership organization for founders and owners of companies with $1M+ revenue, offering peer learning groups, forums, and leadership events. It competes with The High Center for privately held business members seeking structured peer-to-peer education and networking.
• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage is the largest CEO peer advisory and executive coaching organization in the world, running facilitated peer groups for SMB and mid-market CEOs. It directly competes with The High Center's Executive Peer Groups, serving a similar member profile with a comparable value proposition but at a national/international scale.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): YPO is a global peer community for chief executives, offering forums, networks, and educational events. It is a direct peer to The High Center's executive peer groups and leadership speaker programming, serving a similar C-suite/owner audience.
• CEO Coaching International: CEO Coaching International pairs privately held business owners with executive coaches and runs peer experiences for founders preparing for scale or exit. Its succession and exit planning focus directly mirrors The High Center's Exit Planning Readiness Surveys and succession events.
• C12 Group: C12 Group runs peer advisory forums for Christian CEOs and business owners, offering monthly meetings, content, and strategic counsel. It overlaps with The High Center's peer group model and family/privately held business focus.
• The Alternative Board (TAB): TAB provides peer advisory boards for SMB owners and CEOs, with monthly facilitated meetings and business coaching. Its model and target member (privately held business owners) closely parallel The High Center's Executive Peer Groups.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: SCORE is a national nonprofit network providing free mentoring, workshops, and educational resources to small business owners. It is a broad incumbent in the small business advisory and education space, partially overlapping with The High Center's educational programming and best practice surveys.

Regional players

• Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry: The primary regional chamber serving Lancaster County, providing networking events, leadership programs, and advocacy for member businesses. It is a regional peer to The High Center's Lancaster programming and a likely channel partner or competitor for executive engagement.
• Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Penn State SBDC provides no-cost consulting, training, and research to Pennsylvania small businesses. It is a regional peer offering adjacent education and advisory services, competing for the same Central Pennsylvania SMB audience.
• Greater Reading Chamber Alliance: A regional chamber of commerce serving Berks County, Pennsylvania, offering business education, networking, and peer engagement. It is a regional peer and existing High Center community partner, competing for similar SMB audience within an overlapping geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-s.-dale-high-center-for-family-business-at-elizabethtown-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 High Center