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NEW LEADERS PROGRAM

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Andres Feng

"The New Leaders Program will inspire you to build your unique leadership capabilities, engage in challenging conversations that will hone your edge, and become a leader of tomorrow."

ANDRES FENG

Co-creator of New Leaders;

Innovation Consultant, EuroMonitor

Hult University, Double Masters in Business

"Working to create the New Leaders Program was a formative experience. I had the opportunity to ideate and collaborate with brilliant leaders, which pushed my own thinking and confidence in a work environment. I’m excited to see this program's impact on future generations of New Leaders!"

EMILY JIANG

Co-creator of New Leaders;

Venture Fellow at Springdale Ventures and Notley Investments

MBA candidate, Kellogg School of Management

Emily Jiang

INTRODUCTION

Are you a high potential leader in college, graduate school, or in your early career?  Do you know someone who is? Then the Vanguard Network New Leaders program may be just right.

The New Leaders Program introduces critical leadership challenges to select groups of high-performance aspiring leaders. The program creates a supportive and niche accelerated learning environment. Through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are bringing together individuals from an array of backgrounds and experiences. Beyond carefully crafted leadership modules, fireside chats,  roundtable discussions, and case studies, participants will hear from a wide range of guest module leaders – from CEOs to young entrepreneurs. You will have access to a high level of interaction in an intimate small group setting with like-minded professionals.

 

Interactive. Pragmatic. Impactful. Real-world.  These are words that distinguish New Leaders, and set this program apart.

The New Leaders Program is powered by the Vanguard Network. Since 2014, Vanguard has been a unique leadership and networking enterprise for C-suite executives and future top leaders. The Network’s trademarks are pragmatic, real-world leadership dialogue, vigorous engagement, and a policy of no podiums, no PowerPoint. 

 

The New Leaders Program harnesses the  power of The Vanguard Network’s C-suite leadership expertise to accelerate the success of the next generation of young leaders – while engaging them in meaningful networks across today’s globally connected world. 

OUR STORY

Development of The New Leaders Program began in early 2021, on the recommendation of a number of Vanguard Network C-Suite members who said that pragmatic leadership development for high potential college and graduate students was a ‘missing link’ in their development.

 

Based on this input, Vanguard Network CEO Ken Banta created a team to conceptualize what became New Leaders, led by Emily Jiang, past strategy consultant, and now MBA candidate at Kellog.  The project included obtaining feedback from numerous Vanguard senior members, and a special seven-member advisory group that included young leaders across various sectors, roles, and geographies.

 

Then, Vanguard entrusted most of the program creation work to Vanguard Associate Andres Feng, then an MBA candidate at Hult University in Boston (Andres is now Innovation Consultant at EuroMonitor). Andres' leadership helped to ensure the relevance of the program to the New Leader cohort of college and graduate students.

 

New Leaders launched in November 2021 with an inaugural series of six modules including some 20 participants from the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.  The modules were  moderated by Andres, and featured senior module leaders including Gary Lee, Social Entrepreneur,  former Washington Post correspondent, and DEI champion; Emily Jiang, Equity Alliance Consultant; and Paulo Oliviera, Founder of Alma Mundus, an ESG impact advisory team. 

 

We explored topics such as; “Leadership in Practice: The Essential Skills to Thrive Today”, "Multicultural Networking: Embracing Diversity and Cross-cultural Understanding", and "ESG Leadership: the Role of New Leaders in Driving Long-term Sustainable Strategies in the Future". 

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ABEER KIBRIA

Marketing Consultant, Dubai

Manager, Vanguard Network

Hult University MSc.

I learned a lot about applying emotional intelligence through New Leaders, and also I had unusual opportunities to lead program development. New Leaders is a tremendous experience for every younger individual who aims to make a positive mark in the world.

Michael Chen

MICHAEL CHEN

Sustainability Engagement Associate, Meta 

Associate Program Manager, The Vanguard Network

Hult University MBA

New Leaders has developed new capabilities for me that make me a better colleague and leader at work. 

My role co-creating the 2023 program, and the coaching by Vanguard principals, were really important to my securing my new role at Meta.

Ling Ling Chen

LING LING CHEN

Concert Pianist

Marketing Consultant

MBA Candidate

I secured an MBA Summer Internship with TikTok. It is largely thanks to everyone's wisdom through New Leaders, including Ken Banta’s  thoughts on my resume and cover letter as well as tips on reaching out to alumni instead. Vanguard has helped me a lot and I look forward to helping future leaders too!

WHAT CAN PARTICIPANTS EXPECT?

The core of this program will start on February 22, 2023, and is anticipated to run through the end of April, 2023. The program contains 7, 90-minute, virtual modules taking place on a mid-week day in the evening. Sessions will contain 15-20 participants, and will be led by highly senior as well as earlier-stage executives from across sectors. The modules are highly interactive, pragmatic, and real-world focused. Much of the leadership learning comes through the work of the participants amongst one another, including in small group breakouts.

Each module is built around real-world leadership challenges. Participants are expected to attend all New Leaders-related events and lectures and complete all assigned tasks. You will have significant opportunities  to network and speak with module leaders, and to participate in round-table discussions and case studies. 

“Leadership is learnable. And today more than ever, leadership drives success.”

Ken Banta, CEO, The Vanguard Network 

WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF PARTICIPANTS?

Here's what will be expected of NLP participants:

  • Attendance

    • All NLP participants will be expected to attend each session in a timely manner. Due to the nature of the virtual modules, it is important attendees show up on time, to prevent a delay in module kick offs. Attendees who are unable to make modules should notify program leaders in advance.  

  • Participation

    • NLP participants are encouraged to actively participate during module sessions. Module topics have been selected with thought provoking - conversation starting goals in mind.

  • Feedback

    • Attendees will be asked to provide feedback throughout the course of the program. 

  • Preparation

    • Attendees will be required to spend approximately one hour to prepare for each module. Some preparation may include readings, while other preparation may have participants meeting in small assigned groups. 

MODULE TOPICS AND LEADERS

MODULE 1

Feb 22, 2023 at 6 pm ET

Liftoff! What makes a new leader?

Ken Banta &

Lois Stalford Freeman

MODULE 2

Mar 1, 2023 at 6 pm ET

How will you stay ahead of technological shifts?

Christian Desrosiers

MODULE 3

Mar 8, 2023 at 6 pm ET

Why will emotional intelligence make you a better leader?

Matt Meyer

MODULE 4

Mar 22, 2023 at 6 pm ET

You might think you're  a team player – but are you?

Jae Henderson

MODULE 5

Apr 4, 2023 at 6 pm ET

How do you succeed in your future career – while making the world a better place?

Gena Cox

MODULE 6

Apr 19, 2023 at 6 pm ET

How will you succeed now that you've got the job?

Andres Feng

MODULE 7

Apr 26, 2023 at 6 pm ET

Will your personal brand make you sink or swim?

Michael Watras

MODULE LEADERS

KEN BANTA

is Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, and originator of New Leaders. 

 

Ken has led Vanguard since 2014, building a membership of ~14,000 C-Suite executives.  Previously, Ken was part of the leadership teams executing eleven global enterprise reinventions and transformations. 

 

He has advised on many more at Vanguard.   Ken is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review.

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ANDRES FENG

is an Innovation Consultant at Euromonitor, managing multiple unique, creative, and complex research projects, focusing on future portfolio and trend analysis.  

 

Based in Chicago, his latest projects have covered +8 industries and topics, including alcoholic drinks, tech innovation, retailing, consumer trends, and sustainability. He is a co-creator of the New Leaders Program.

Andres Feng

LOIS STALFORD FREEMAN

previously served as a senior executive at Citibank, with responsibility for the onboarding and development of incoming young executives. 

 

Lois plays a key role leading the New Leaders Program, and as an advisor for all of the Vanguard Network.

Lois Freeman

JAE HENDERSON

is an advisor on brand building and management. 

 

Jae also has strong experience in new product development and marketing. 

 

Currently Jae also serves as Board Chair of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

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MATT MEYER

is chief business advisor for life sciences at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR), the leading technology law firm. 

 

Based in San Francisco, Matthew leads the firm's life science business advisory practice—a recently formed, innovative resource aimed at providing start-up and emerging life sciences companies with business insights, capabilities, and strategies.

Matt Meyer.jpg

GENA COX

is the author of Leading Inclusion, her new book setting out an action-based blueprint for senior leaders to make DEI a reality in their organization. 

 

Gena advises enterprises and individual executives on how they can create the culture their employees deserve. 

 

Gena has worked with organizations ranging from global technology to social impact, to colleges and universities.

Gena Cox.jpg

MICHAEL WATRAS

is the Chairman and CEO of Straightline, the leading global branding and strategy company based in New York and London. 

A respected industry thought leader and trusted advisor to C-level executives worldwide, Michael has been strengthening brands and businesses for over twenty-five years.

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CHRISTIAN DESROSIERS

co-founded Natural Language, a venture studio focused on opportunities that leverage AI and XR.

 

Prior to this, he co-founded an analytics company and worked for the United Nations and other development organizations, primarily across Southeast Asia and East Africa. He earned his Bachelor’s from Amherst College and Master’s from MIT.

Christian Desrosiers

KEY PROGRAM ADVISORS*

  • Alejandro Gits, Boortbalt, CE Project Manager

  • Ben Moxham, Camberwell Energy, Managing Partner

  • Caroline Press, Senior Production Editor, Penguin Young Readers

  • Christian Desrosiers, Natural Language,  Co-Founder

  • Gary Lee, Senior Writer-Editor, CEO

  • Kathleen Murphy, Murphy Media Partners, Senior Strategic Advisor, CEO

  • Kim Yapchai, Coventry Assurance Ltd., Board Member

  • Lois Stalford Freeman, Vanguard Network, Senior Advisor New Leaders Program

  • Matt Meyer, Wilson Sonsini, Chief client corporate development advisor

  • Michael Watras, Straightline International, CEO and Chairman

  • Viq Pervaaz, Previously EY Partner, Partner, Life Sciences

*Other individuals have also provided important advice and counsel, which are gratefully acknowledged.

QUALIFICATIONS

To participate in the program:

  • You are a current Junior/Senior in college, or in Graduate School, or a recent graduate with fewer than three years of job experience

  • You have demonstrated potential to benefit from the program

  • You will be an active contributor to the New Leader conversations 

  • You are ready to commit to the virtual modules and independent work sessions through the duration of the program

  • You will have meaningful leadership experience, ideally in a for-profit or social impact enterprise

  • You aspire to be a leader of the future

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN?

If you are  interested in the New Leaders Program, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you with more information on the next steps.  Seats for February are limited to 20 places.  

PROGRAM DATES

Summer program dates:  

  • June 7th, June 14th, June 21st, June 28th, July 12th, July 19th, July 26th

Fall program dates:  

  • September 27th, October 4th, October 11th, October 18th, October 25th, November 8th, November 15th

 

All sessions are Wednesdays, starting at 6 pm ET.

REGISTRATION FEES

Registration fees are tiered as follows:

  • Individuals paying their own way: $500 or less based on resources

  • Individuals sponsored by their college/university: $950

  • Individuals in their 1st- 3rd year in a job, paying their own way: $950

  • Individuals in their 1st-3rd year in a job, sponsored by their employer: $1,800

New Leaders Application

For college and graduate school students.

For young professionals with less than three years work experience.

VOLUME PURCHASES

If you are interested in purchasing multiple seats in our program as a college, university or a company, please email us at aspanier@vanguardgroup.nyc for more information.

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