Peer Learning Cohort for New CEOs
If you’re a CEO with less than five years’ experience leading a grantmaking foundation, this peer learning cohort will support you in amplifying your leadership and maximizing your foundation’s impact through data-backed insights and relevant peer-to-peer support.
Effective Foundation Leadership
Foundation CEOs and Presidents carry vast responsibilities in leading philanthropic institutions, from setting overall strategy to facilitating board governance to promoting a positive work environment and beyond.
Yet CEOs often lack opportunities to pursue impact-oriented learning relevant to their roles and develop close ties with peers facing similar challenges. What’s more, intensive schedules can make it difficult to identify the key resources that will meaningfully support you in your role.
CEP’s cohort for new CEOs of grantmaking institutions is designed to help you meet these challenges, thrive in the CEO role, and lead your foundation to outstanding impact and results.
In this cohort, you will develop deep ties with a community of new foundation CEOs/Presidents who have been in their roles for less than five years. Together, you will grow your knowledge of data-backed practices for effective philanthropy, hear from compelling expert speakers, and exchange peer-to-peer insights on how to be most effective in your role.
To optimize connections and convenience, the seven-month cohort includes a mix of in-person gatherings and virtual learning sessions. Each session and gathering includes interactive presentations by compelling speakers on data-backed practices, discussion, and peer-to-peer learning.
New chief executives of grantmaking foundations will:
- Learn from compelling, expert speakers about the keys to successful leadership of philanthropic institutions.
- Build deep connections with a close community of CEOs.
- Receive peer-to-peer support and guidance on your most pressing challenges.
- Engage with curated resources on data-backed practices to maximize your foundation’s impact.
- Hone your leadership to meet today’s challenges.
Session Topics
Content will be developed with your input regarding topics of most interest to you. Likely topics include:
Honing Your Leadership:
- Managing change in turbulent times
- Overcoming common leadership challenges
External Strategy, Impact, and Measurement:
- Philanthropy in the current social and political contexts
- Impact: setting goals, assessing results, and knowledge-sharing
- Grantmaking practices that support your impact goals
Leading Your Organization — Internal Structures and Dynamics:
- Staffing for impact
- Building a strong, healthy workplace culture
The Art of Governance:
- Recruiting, cultivating, and working with your governing board
- Communications, transparency, and alignment
Guest Speakers
Check back for updates on additional speakers!
Phil Buchanan
CEP President
Elisha Smith Arrillaga
Vice President, Research
Grace Nicolette
Vice President, Programming and External Relations
Amber Bradley
Director, Learning Institute
Kevin Bolduc
Vice President, Assessment and Advisory Services
Who can attend
Eligibility
This cohort is for you if you:
- Head a staffed grantmaking institution giving at least $1 million/year
- Have served as a foundation CEO or President for less than five years
- Crave data-backed insights to support your decision-making and leadership
- Are interested in being a part of a supportive community of CEO leaders
Proposed Dates
This cohort will meet at least five times between October 2025 and June 2026, including a pre-conference gathering and guaranteed seat at the CEP Conference in November 2025 as well as a two-day in-person retreat in spring 2026. The below are tentative dates subject to change based on participant preferences and availability.
| Date | Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 3rd, 2025 | 3pm Eastern | Kickoff welcome | Zoom |
| November 2-3, 2025 | Afternoon 11/2 - Afternoon 11/3 | Pre-conference gathering. Two half-days of exclusive programming, including dinner, breakfast, and lunch with peer participants. | Intercontinental DTLA, Los Angeles, CA |
| November 3-5, 2025 | Evening 11/3- Afternoon 11/5 | CEP2025 Conference. Registration fees and all meals included. | Intercontinental DTLA, Los Angeles, CA |
| January 16, 2026 | 3pm Eastern | Guest Speaker and Discussion | Zoom |
| March 6, 2026 | 3pm Eastern | Guest Speaker and Discussion | Zoom |
| April 23-24, 2026 | TBD | Capstone Retreat 2-day retreat with meals included. | In-Person Retreat (location TBD) |
Pricing
Payment type (invoice/grant) and timing (up-front/installments) are flexible to accommodate your budget calendar.
Front Runner: $14,800
The first three CEOs to register receive a $4,000 discount off of the standard price. Inquire today!
Early Bird: $16,800
Available until May 30, 2025, Early Bird registrants receive $2,000 off the standard price.
Standard: $18,800
The cost of this cohort includes: meals and attendance at CEP’s premier national conference for philanthropic leaders, three Zoom meetings with expert guest speakers, a two-day pre-conference gathering with meals, and an in-person gathering in spring 2026 with meals.
Inquiry Form
Thank you for your interest in Effective Foundation Leadership, A Peer Learning Cohort for New CEOs. Please complete the fields below, and CEP will get back to you with next steps for your registration.
Prefer to have your assistant complete this form? Shareable link: https://cep.org/effective-foundation-leadership/#inquiry_form
Frequently Asked Questions
Who else is in the cohort? Will I be grouped with CEOs of similar funder types and/or sizes?
CEOs from staffed foundations of all types and sizes are invited to inquire. CEP will review all inquiries and follow up with interested participants with more information about group makeup. The cohort will be curated to ensure a diverse yet relevant peer set.
What if the listed dates don’t work for me?
Let us know! Feel free to fill out the inquiry form and let us know if you have any date conflicts. Dates will be finalized based on participant availability.
Can I pay via grant? Can I pay in installments?
Yes! CEP is a nonprofit and is happy to receive payment in whatever way is easiest for you. We are also happy to set up a payment schedule that fits your organization’s grantmaking or budgetary cycle.
Questions? Connect with us.
Email Amber Bradley, CEP Learning Institute Director