The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), sponsored by PepsiCo, is a high-impact learning opportunity encompassing intense, interactive instruction presented by a mix of respected academics and industry leaders. Participants develop their leadership skills so they can better implement organizational and cultural changes in their companies.
Facilitated and designed by Cornell University, the NGAF Executive Leadership Development Program helps retailers and wholesalers develop and prepare leaders to face business challenges in the 21st-century marketplace.
This industry-specific executive development program includes:
Submit a nomination using the online form!
An online application is preferred but if you wish to see all questions in this application they can be viewed on this PDF form.
Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 4, 2025
Those who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit by Friday, March 21, 2025. See more information on scholarships in the Payment and Scholarships tab.
The Executive Leadership Development Program leverages a nomination process to ensure that participants have enough leadership experience to take full advantage of the program. Additionally, using a nomination process helps the participants understand that their managers or companies see them as current or future leaders worthy of investment.
Individuals can self-nominate if they are the owner/head of an organization. Most often, nominators are supervisors or managers of the candidate--someone who is involved with their work, knowledgeable of their job duties, and aware of the candidate's management responsibilities.
Nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptance is not confirmed until you receive an emailed acceptance and payment is made.
While companies may submit more than one nominee, no more than two per company will be accepted unless there is space available at the deadline. Please contact nga-foundation@nationalgrocers.org if you have questions or would like to share the priority of nominees submitted.
If space fills in the program a waitlist will be created. No one may enter the program after 5/1/25 as the program requires preparation work completed ahead of time.
Nominees must be rising executives who are on-track for increased "people" and general management responsibilities. The NGA Foundation's Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is currently reserved for employees of retailer and wholesaler members of NGA.
Those who should attend include:
Example Titles of Past Participants
Payment
Program cost is $3,600 per person. Cost includes lodging, breakfast, lunch, most dinners, class materials, and 4 days of premier leadership programming.
Invoice for payment will be sent upon acceptance into ELDP, both credit card and check are accepted.
Scholarships
Nominees may request to be considered for a scholarship to the program. Scholarships, if awarded, cover program and travel costs for the participant. Travel costs are reimbursed at the end of the program.
Those who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit their applications by March 21, 2025. Nominators may indicate if they are only interested in ELDP if they receive a scholarship or if they are willing to pay the registration fee if not selected.
To be considered for a scholarship the candidate must meet the scholarship requirements below and include an additional response in the nomination. This response will summarize how the candidate’s diversity enhances the organization or how their work has contributed to DEI efforts in the organization.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 4 of award. If not selected for a scholarship and nominator indicated the nominee should still be considered for ELDP they will receive notice of acceptance to program and invoice by this date as well.
| Diversity in Leadership Scholarship
Eligible candidates should be from underrepresented backgrounds, inclusive of race, color, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, or who have otherwise demonstrated an actionable commitment to advancing diversity on such bases. |
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| Women Grocers of America Scholarship
Candidate must be an individual who identifies as a woman. |
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Virtual Kickoff in April (Will be Recorded)
Class Dates June 1-5 in Ithaca, NY
An overview of example sessions are below.
Pre-work Assessments
The Challenge of Leadership Today (Virtual Kickoff)
The challenge of leadership today is to effectively guide and motivate individuals and teams in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. Leaders must be able to navigate a wide range of challenges, including globalization, technological advancement, diversity and inclusion, and environmental and social responsibility. They must also be able to adapt to new situations and think creatively to solve problems and seize opportunities. In addition, leaders must be able to effectively communicate and collaborate with others, both within their organizations and externally, to build and maintain relationships and achieve common goals. Overall, the challenge of leadership today is to navigate these and other challenges while still effectively leading and inspiring others to achieve success with coaches and others.
Virtual One-on-One Coaching Sessions
Example Class Instruction at Cornell University
Don’t take our word for it! See what past participants have said about the impact ELDP can have on your people and business.
| “One of the best professional experiences in the grocery industry…a first-class curriculum designed to help leaders connect, grow, and serve.” – Tyler Bailey, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. |
“One of the aspects that I enjoyed the most is that the participants were all from different areas pertaining to the supermarket business. I had gone to other conferences that had been helpful in principle. The lessons I learned through this experience were useful with direct application.” – Jamie Kissinger Bush, Kenny Family ShopRite |
“I still refer back to my materials from the course and still consider the feedback I received in my 360 review. I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to attend. It is a well-planned, well-executed program that adds a lot of value to one’s leadership journey.” – Diana Barr, Coborn’s |
| “I particularly appreciated the focus on effective communication, team building, and strategic thinking. I learned how to communicate more effectively with my colleagues, how to build a high-performing team, and how to develop a strategic vision for my organization.” – Jeet Brahmbhatt, Fresh Foods | “This program was not only beneficial for me, but it was beneficial for those that I will work with throughout my career. In the 4 months since this program, I have really focused on how to make my team and my peers more successful. The Benchmark Assessment was a very powerful tool. Understanding how your intentions and your peer’s perception on your behaviors relate will guide you to become a more effective leader. Overall, this program was a great way to learn from the brightest minds at Cornell and to network with the future leaders in the industry.” – Ethan Mitchell, Mitchell Grocery Corporation
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“I was very impressed with the program. Everything from the hosts, speakers, and location was spectacular. I absolutely loved the networking opportunities provided at the dinners. The dinners were great, and I think those connections made at them were as valuable as the content in the sessions. Great Program!” – Anonymous Survey Response |
| “Every leader in any organization should take this course. This course was by far, the best leadership course I have ever taken.” – Anonymous Survey Response | “I loved this program and would absolutely do it a thousand more times. This was my first time attending an NGA development program and I’m looking forward to more.” – Anonymous Survey Response
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“Incredibly valuable lessons in such a short time. Exposure to companies across the nation in various sizing. Developing connections and learning from fellow classmates. Leaving feeling empowered.” – Anonymous Survey Response
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| “There are so many facets to this learning program: hands on, lecture style, group activities. I feel like you get so much more from having those layers of education and interest is kept throughout.” – Anonymous Survey Response |
The NGA Foundation must receive full payment by the deadline or registration will be automatically canceled. Registration cancellations made prior to the nomination deadline will be charged a fee of $150. Cancellations made after 4/4/25 will not be refunded but a credit minus any already incurred fees may be applied the following year.
