Invest in Your Leadership Skillset

Members of Learn, Engage, and Develop (LEAD) meet virtually or in-person nine times from September to May, choosing Foundational or Experienced LEAD Roundtables based on their leadership or human resource background.
Join Our LEAD Roundtables
Invest in your organization’s leadership by joining one of CLA’s LEAD Roundtables. Each roundtable meets nine times between September and May. During these three-hour sessions, participants learn from and engage with an experienced facilitator, who uses research, personal experience, and member perspectives to teach and practice skills and strategies that address a wide variety of topics. Our facilitators bring years of experience to enable candid, interactive, and lively discussions.

What makes LEAD different?

Apply leadership and HR fundamentals in real time
These are not “lecture and listen” sessions. Members engage in hands-on learning and immediately begin applying skills.
Bring resources back to your workplace
Participants electronically receive the research, PowerPoints, and handouts from each session to continue sharing the resources in their workplace.
Deepened professional network
Participants regularly interact with each other outside of sessions to share leading practices and gain valuable insight from professionals in other organizations.
Wide range of professionals
Members of LEAD are business owners, controllers, operations professionals, human resource leaders, and others who are there to develop and expand their leadership capabilities.
Meeting you where you are
Two roundtable options available
Both roundtable options cater to professionals who are are investing in their personal and professional growth.
  • Foundations level
    These roundtables are designed for those who would benefit from a peer group focused on learning, understanding, and applying HR fundamentals within their organization.
  • Experienced level
    These roundtables are designed to engage professionals who seek critical thought and analysis skills that enhances leadership and strategic thinking. Pre-determined session topics are designed to provide practical approaches and alternatives to some of today’s most challenging leadership issues.

Membership profile

Some of the best insights, ideas, and innovations happen when people from multiple industries and company sizes get together. The demographics of LEAD membership include:

Industries Participant Titles Number of Employees
  • Automotive
  • Banking
  • Commercial Retail
  • Energy
  • Engineering
  • Financial
  • Health Care
  • Home Improvement
  • Manufacturing
  • Nonprofit
  • Transportation
  • Warehousing

Experienced

  • Controller
  • C-Suite
  • HR Director
  • HR Manager
  • Office Manager
  • Operations Director
  • President/Owner

Foundations

  • HR Coordinator
  • HR Specialist
  • Office Administrator
  • 0 – 50 (~25%)
  • 51 – 100 (~30%)
  • 101 – 250 (~35%)
  • 251 – 500 (~5%)
  • 501+ (~5%)

Fee breakdown

  • $1,495 per season (September 2023 - May 2024) with an early bird discount of $100 if enrolled by September 1, 2023
  • 10% off each additional seat after three seats
  • Company seat license, unlimited virtual, $10,000
  • Company seat license, unlimited in person, $8,000
  • Individual sessions are available at $300 per session
Invest in Your Capabilities, Influence Company Culture
Join CLA's LEAD Roundtables
Testimonials
  • "These workshops have undoubtedly paved the way for my success by equipping me with enhanced skills and the mindset needed to excel as an HR leader. The comprehensive curriculum exposed me to real-world case studies and interactive simulations, enabling me to apply concepts in practical scenarios. This hands-on approach sharpened my decision-making skills and increased my ability to navigate complex situations, enabling me to lead with confidence and authenticity."
    Pam Berkovitz, Human Resource Director — MasterFleet
  • "After being a part of LEAD for three years, I now call it my ‘HR discussion group.’ LEAD honest solutions — not judgement — and has become my safe place to discuss hard HR and management issues. LEAD is a great asset not only to me and my career, but to the company I work for, as I am able to bring resources back. I look forward to continuing for many years to come."
    Michelle Waldinger, Director of Human Resources — Marine TravelLift
  • “Without the LEAD Roundtables, I don’t think I would be able to understand and implement the policies and procedures required for my HR role. These very interactive and entertaining sessions are beyond valuable to me — they get your wheels turning and allow you to immediately apply what you learn. Being in LEAD has been such an asset and I would definitely recommend it to anyone in an HR or related role.”
    Stefanie Santos, Human Resources Director — Richards Corporation
  • "Attending the LEAD sessions has improved the way we work together as a group and in turn has increased our productivity and overall morale. It is also a great way to surround yourself with a group that has experience and knowledge to assist you with situations that may arise at your place of employment."
    Greg Potts, Director of Public Works — Town of Ledgeview, WI
  • "LEAD has been a tremendous factor in my success. The instructor keeps you highly engaged and arms you with resources that make you fully prepared for the real world. Concepts are explained from multiple viewpoints, and as content is built up from each session, the instructor demonstrates how it applies to new subject matter. There is also an amazing group of people to bounce ideas or issues off of — you can take collaborative answers back with you and apply them. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience."
    Allison Hopp

Frequently asked questions

What is LEAD?

LEAD stands for Learn, Engage, and Develop. It is a topic-driven discussion and development training series for people responsible for leadership, human resources compliance, and culture within organizations.

What topics are included?

There are two versions of LEAD: Foundations and Experienced, each has distinct targets and topics.

  • Foundations LEAD Roundtables focus on workshops that present the full range of human resources compliance topics, over a 9-month period. These topics and their order do not change year to year.
  • Experienced LEAD Roundtables focus on issues facing leaders today. These topics are covered over a 9-month period and change year to year, based on the input and votes of prior-year members.
Who should attend LEAD?

LEAD is geared toward leaders and non-leaders responsible for human resources in their companies.

  • Foundations LEAD Roundtables are for people who are responsible for compliance areas of human resources. Past members have included administrative all the way up to general manager level.
  • Experienced LEAD Roundtables generally target leaders in organizations with responsibility for leadership development, influencing culture, and building strong leadership skills. Past members have included leaders of all types, managers, and business owners.
How often is LEAD presented?

LEAD is presented monthly, for three hours, from September to May each year.

Are breaks taken over the three-hour sessions?

Yes. We try and take two to three breaks for members to check emails and respond to other needs.

How is LEAD presented (i.e., virtually or in person)?

LEAD is primarily designed to be presented in person. However, virtual sessions were available over the last several seasons. We annually evaluate whether presenting virtually is achieving the interaction and learning that our members and CLA expect.

Can I attend both virtual and in-person sessions?

Yes. Although your experience will differ within the various mediums.

What should I expect when I attend a session?

Virtual participation will require members to turn on their cameras and microphones (if they have them) and be ready to participate. The instructor will call on people randomly to make sure they are engaging.

In-person participation will get members talking with each other and with the instructor, who will call on people randomly to make sure they are engaging.

What if I don’t have a camera or microphone? Can I still participate in LEAD?

Yes, certainly! Though learning is more beneficial when people are engaging and participating, there is still a lot of value in sitting in on the sessions and using the chat functions to participate and ask questions.

Do I have to attend all the sessions?

The topics presented in LEAD build on each other. Members can attend one of multiple sessions on each topic and are encouraged to attend as many as possible.

If I do not attend a session, do I still get all the materials?

Yes!