Emerging Leaders Academy
The PCI Central Region Emerging Leaders Academy prepares high-potential employees for greater leadership responsibility within their organizations and across the precast concrete industry.
Throughout the two-year program, participants grow through immersive in-person Leadership Labs, practical workplace applications, selected leadership and business books, peer learning, mentoring, industry networking, and direct exposure to senior leaders.
Graduates leave the Academy with expanded leadership capability, stronger business knowledge, a lasting professional network, and a certificate from PCI Central Region.
KEY BENEFITS
✓ Stronger Leadership Skills
Communication, influence, coaching, and decision-making.
✓ Broader Business Perspective
Practical finance, marketing, operations, and HR knowledge.
✓ Immediate Workplace Application
Leadership Challenges turn concepts into on-the-job action.
✓ A Professional Network
Peer pods, mentors, and industry leaders across the region.
✓ Executive & Industry Exposure
Direct access to senior leaders across the precast industry.
✓ A Personal Leadership Roadmap
An evolving Individual Development Plan and career plan.
FIVE INTEGRATED EXPERIENCES
Four in-person, half-day, highly interactive Leadership Labs — combining instruction, simulations, real-world scenarios, and peer coaching. Labs are scheduled for the day before PCI Central Region Meetings, creating a rich, multi-day learning and networking experience.
❋LEADERSHIP LABS
Between Leadership Labs participants complete short workplace application activities that turn concepts into practice. Examples include feedback, delegation, conflict resolution, influence, decision-making, and applying business concepts.
❋ LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
Several carefully selected leadership and business assessments and books provide deeper exploration and discussion. Participants focus on takeaways, changed perspectives, workplace relevance, and application in their own and future roles.
❋ LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS
Participants build relationships through small “Leadership Pods” of 3–4 peers, providing ongoing support and accountability. Quarterly meetings with a senior-level mentor provide experienced leadership perspective, guidance, and encouragement.
❋ LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
Executive conversations, panels, industry experts, career conversations, and leadership insights from experienced professionals that broaden participants' view of the business and the industry.
❋ INDUSTRY AND EXECUTIVE EXPOSURE
What's New for Cohort 2?: Based on feedback from Cohort 1, the monthly self-paced online learning modules have been retired. Participants told us the in-person Labs and shared leadership books were the most valuable parts of the experience — so Cohort 2 replaces the online modules with expanded Leadership Application Challenges and small peer Leadership Pods, while keeping the program fee, employer commitment, and overall time investment consistent with Cohort 1.
TWO YEAR LEARNING FRAMEWORK
PROGRAM COMPONENTS & COMMITMENT
If selected, participants commit to the following for the full two-year program:
Attend all four Leadership Labs and PCI Central Region Meetings
Complete short, practical Leadership Application Challenges between Leadership Labs
Read selected leadership/business books and take part in reflection and discussion
Stay engaged with a small Leadership Pod (3–4 peers) throughout the program
Meet quarterly with a senior-level mentor
Complete preparatory assessments, readings, and reflections ahead of Leadership Labs, including building and continually updating a personal Leadership Individual Development Plan (IDP)
DEADLINE & SELECTION
Applications for Cohort 2 are due November 1, 2026.
The cohort is limited to 15 participants, selected through a competitive review by PCI Central Region's Executive Committee. Selected participants will be notified by mid-December 2026, ahead of the program's Spring 2027 kickoff. A complete application includes general information, a goal statement, acknowledgement of commitment, a resume, and a senior-level supervisor recommendation.
WHO SHOULD BE NOMINATED?
The Academy is an investment in a person who is likely to have increasing influence on your organization’s people, decisions, and results.
The ideal candidate is a high-potential employee who is demonstrating leadership potential and readiness for expanded responsibility, committed to personal and professional growth, interested in understanding the broader business (not just their current function), willing to learn from peers, senior leaders, and experiences outside their immediate area, and be able to make a two-year commitment to active participation.
EMPLOYER INVESTMENT
Program Fee: $2,000 per participant
What's Included: All leadership programming and materials, including written materials, assessments (e.g., CliftonStrengths EQ), instruction, books, labs, and guest speakers.
Additional Cost. Travel, lodging, and registration for four PCI Central Region in-person events. Each Leadership Lab is scheduled the day before a PCI Central Region Meeting (Fall and Spring), so participants combine leadership development with industry networking and additional regional industry information in one trip.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Employed by a PCI Central Region Member (Producer or Associate) for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline
Identified as possessing exceptional leadership potential by a senior leader within their organization
Able to commit to full participation in the two-year program and completion of all program components
Employer willing to sponsor program fee and support travel/time commitments
The next generation of leaders starts here.
Questions?
Contact Heather Ballain, PhD - heather@pci-central.org - 463-336-2896