East Tennessee Leadership Academy
East Tennessee Leadership Academy
Developing High-Impact Leaders. Building Resilient Organizations.
Equipping the Next Generation of Regional Leaders
The East Tennessee Leadership Academy (ETLA) is the premier professional development initiative of Stinnett Leadership Group. Designed specifically for rising executives, mid-level directors, and high-potential managers, ETLA combines doctoral-level leadership theory with practical, real-world operational execution.
Our mission is to equip East Tennessee’s emerging leaders with the strategic mindset, systems fluency, and communication tools needed to drive organizational growth, manage complex change, and lead high-performing teams.
The Cohort Model: Collaborative, Contextual, High-Touch
Leadership is not learned in isolation. The East Tennessee Leadership Academy operates on an immersive, cohort-based structure designed to maximize engagement, peer learning, and practical application.
Targeted Peer Networks: Each cohort brings together a select group of professionals across corporate, civic, and non-profit sectors, creating a rich network of regional peers.
Applied Learning Framework: Participants bring active organizational challenges into the classroom, applying core modules directly to their day-to-day operations.
Monthly High-Impact Sessions: Executive-led seminars paired with group discussions, case study analyses, and practical leadership labs.
1-on-1 Executive Mentorship: Every cohort member receives individual coaching sessions with Dr. Todd Stinnett to tailor leadership strategies to their personal career trajectory.
Core Curriculum Modules
Our 4-part core curriculum is built around the fundamental pillars of executive execution and organizational alignment.
Module 1: Strategic Leadership & Operational Systems
Focus: Moving from tactical management to strategic leadership.
Key Topics: Systems thinking, organizational architecture, aligning strategy with culture, and diagnosing operational bottlenecks.
Module 2: Driving Change & Organizational Resilience
Focus: Leading teams through complexity, disruption, and institutional shift.
Key Topics: Change management frameworks, overcoming organizational inertia, risk assessment, and leading through transition.
Module 3: Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
Focus: Communicating vision, building buy-in, and managing stakeholders.
Key Topics: High-stakes negotiation, board and executive reporting, conflict resolution, and personal brand development.
Module 4: Capital, Governance & High-Performing Teams
Focus: Maximizing resources and cultivating human capital.
Key Topics: Resource and capital alignment, team dynamics and accountability structures, governance best practices, and succession planning.
Who Should Enroll?
Mid-to-Senior Managers preparing for executive-level roles and broader operational oversight.
New C-Suite Executives & Directors seeking to refine their strategic decision-making and systems management.
High-Potential Emerging Leaders sponsored by their organizations for accelerated growth.
Invest in Your Leadership Runway
Sponsor a rising leader in your organization or elevate your own executive capacity. Applications for the upcoming regional cohort are evaluated on a rolling basis to ensure optimal cohort composition.
