I am grateful to the SLA for equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools, resources, and relationships they will need to move our community forward.

Our Signature Programs are typically offered at least once a year. These programs offer a deeper dive than you can accomplish in a workshop. Participants receive a badge and certificate after successfully completing each program. Click the links below to learn more.
Members of the Shafer Leadership Academy may attend these programs for free. Non-members may attend by paying a fee.
♦ In-Person Programs | more about in-person
♦ Virtual Programs | more about virtual
May
2025tue13may5:00 pmtue8:00 pmAll Aboard: Board Leadership in Motion5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
All Aboard: Board Leadership in Motion is a three-hour workshop ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about
All Aboard: Board Leadership in Motion is a three-hour workshop ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about what serving as a board member entails, and how to find the potential board opportunity that suits their interests and skill sets.
All Aboard is ideal for individuals who have a desire to serve on a not-for-profit board but want to learn more about what serving as a board member entails and how to find the potential board opportunity that suits their interests and skill sets.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, All Aboard is available for free.
May 13, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Elevating Influence & Credibility Virtual 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday, May 14th 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday, May 15th 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Elevating Influence and Credibility equips participants with
Session #1:
Wednesday, May 14th
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday, May 15th
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Elevating Influence and Credibility equips participants with practical strategies and insights to empower and amplify influence and credibility at work. We will explore the core concepts of influence and credibility with interactive participation, allowing for an exchange of ideas and collaborative learning among peers. Participants will also develop the starting framework for creating an individualized action plan to apply the learned concepts effectively. This plan will serve as a roadmap for participants to follow, ensuring that the strategies discussed are implemented with precision to maximize impact.
Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
DeNeen K. Attard, CEO, Attard Leadership Academy is deeply committed to empowering women to develop their leadership skills that yield results. DeNeen has over 15 years of experience in mentoring emerging leaders across Fortune 500 companies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Attard integrates a growth mindset and positive psychology techniques within each client’s unique professional development strategy. Attard has a Master’s degree in leadership along with multiple leadership and digital entrepreneurship certifications. She also holds advanced graduate learning studies in human resource management.
May 14, 2025 2:00 pm - May 15, 2025 3:30 pm
In-Person 3 Hour Session Increase your confidence. Speak with Poise. Join Peggy Cenova and Michele Owen for a practical workshop that will increase your confidence and charisma at networking events,
Join Peggy Cenova and Michele Owen for a practical workshop that will increase your confidence and charisma at networking events, giving presentations, and more! The workshop includes practice in understanding and overcoming anxiety, how to connect with your audience, how to master body language, and creating strong content. You will leave with activities to practice and a refined elevator pitch for your next networking event.
Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
Michele Owen, known by some as “The Muncie Woman,” is a professor of Psychology at Ivy Tech Community College. She has always been passionate about communication, and has given a TED talk, taught public speaking at Ball State, and served as the Communications Director for the City of Muncie. Michele believes that everyone has the capacity to become a charismatic speaker in their personal and professional lives, if given the tools to understand and overcome their anxiety.
Peggy Cenova is a seasoned professional who was the Regional Director for the East Central Indiana SBDC, where she presented over 190 training events throughout the region. She is the former owner of the specialty advertising catalog company – Straight Status, which was listed in Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing businesses. She is a former board member of the National Speakers Association of Indiana and Shafer Leadership Academy. Peggy’s speaking philosophy can be summed up in three words: Prepare, Perfect, Present.
May 22, 2025 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
June
Let’s make presenting easier—and way more fun! Making presentations doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming—it can actually be fun and easy! In this interactive 90-minute session, we’ll explore how to
Making presentations doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming—it can actually be fun and easy! In this interactive 90-minute session, we’ll explore how to use Canva to create beautiful, engaging presentations—without the frustration of clunky design tools or endless formatting. By the end, you’ll have a simple, joyful approach to designing presentations that feel as good to make as they do to deliver.
🎨 Use Canva’s ready-made templates to save time and spark creativity
✨ Add personality and polish with images, animations, and branding
💡 Keep your slides clear, compelling, and visually balanced
🚀 Build confidence in your design skills (even if you don’t consider yourself “creative”)
Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
Sanovia Garrett is a versatile Music and Movement Artist from Muncie, Indiana, based in Philadelphia. She blends gospel, hip-hop, R&B, soul, and neo-soul, drawing inspiration from artists like Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. A Ball State University graduate with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a Leadership minor, she later earned an M.A. in Urban Studies (Community Arts) from Eastern University. In 2019, she joined the Indiana Arts Commission’s On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, enhancing her entrepreneurial and community engagement skills. From 2021 to 2024, she served as Social Media and Communications Manager at Palmer Theological Seminary and Program Director for Girls Rock Philly. In 2023, she graduated from the Power Up Your Business Program at Community College of Philadelphia. Her initiative, “Come Move with Me,” offers inclusive, judgment-free movement sessions on a “Pay What You Wish” basis, promoting accessibility and self-expression for all. Sanovia’s discography includes the EP You Have Everything You Need (2020) and singles like “Sway” (2020) and “I Really Love You” (2024). In 2023, she received the John Lewis Award from Color of Change PAC Philadelphia for her contributions to the arts and community. Her mission is to inspire joy, self-discovery, and creativity through music, movement, and communication.
June 3, 2025 8:00 am - 9:30 am
“Facilitation is the act of engaging participants in creating, discovering, and applying learning insights.” (ATD) Facilitation is more than leading a discussion—it’s about creating an environment where participants feel engaged, heard,
Facilitation is more than leading a discussion—it’s about creating an environment where participants feel engaged, heard, and motivated to explore new ideas. In this interactive session, participants will learn the fundamentals of inclusive facilitation, including how to establish a welcoming space, encourage participation, manage group dynamics and create interactive learning activities. Together we will build a facilitation toolkit, discover facilitation tools, and work towards building confidence in the art of facilitation. This part 1 of our Facilitation Skills Series. Part 2 will be offered in quarter three about virtual facilitation skills. NOTE- this workshop will last 2 hours instead of 90 mins and lunch will be served.
Eilis (A-lish) Wasserman is the Program Director at Shafer Leadership Academy focused on overseeing impactful leadership development programming and creating innovative opportunities for Shafer members. She has a background as a career coach and facilitator, dedicated to cultivating confidence and inspiring self-discovery. She is an introvert and early career professional advocate, empowering introverts to hone their unique strengths and develop their own career stories. Eilis believes the most valuable skill that you can learn, and practice is the art of connecting- it’s all about telling our story. Eilis is a freelance coach on The Muse and has worked as a career coach with Ball State University and the University of Michigan. Eilis looks forward to working with you to present your best self wherever you may be in your career journey.
June 5, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
A Different Kind of TEAM: Time, Energy and Attention Management for Leadership Success Virtual 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday, June 11th 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday, June 12th 2:00 PM
Session #1:
Wednesday, June 11th
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday, June 12th
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The first secret: time cannot be managed. It is a thing that exists, like gravity. But our relationship to time can and should be managed. Our ability to manage this relationship, along with our own energy and attention, is the key to long-term success in leadership. The bad news is that it’s another thing to worry about as a leader. The good news is that worrying about it makes everything else less of a worry. Attendees will come away with a list of practical actions they can start using immediately – and share with their colleagues and teams at work. They will have a discussion in breakout rooms about how similar actions have worked well, or not worked well, in their own experience. Lastly, participants will develop and take home a map of their personal energy levels, across their responsibilities and days of the week. For the workshop, Alan will draw on his ideas from more than two decades of experience as a leader, executive coach and facilitator – along with the experiences of his hundreds of clients to date.
Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
Alan Heymann has served as an executive coach to hundreds of his fellow introverts, helping them feel seen and heard, to find balance in their lives and to unleash their superpowers in an extroverted world. Alan also specializes in coaching through career and leadership transitions. He brings a warm, open and energetic presence to his coaching and facilitation clients and speaking engagements. His clients to date were born in 32 countries and work on 4 continents. They have spanned corporations (including the Fortune 50), nonprofit organizations, public utilities, federal, county and municipal governments. The author of two books on leadership analogies: Don’t Just Have the Soup, and Embrace Your Inner Peaches, Alan is a member of the faculty of the Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership. He spent more than two decades in public, government and nonprofit communications — leading teams from 2 to more than 100 people. Inspired by a career transformation he brought about with the support of an executive coach, Alan founded Peaceful Direction in April 2019. Alan is a member of the Barker Adoption Foundation Board of Trustees. He’s followed a plant-based diet since 2002, enjoys running half-marathons and lives with his family outside Washington, DC.
June 11, 2025 2:00 pm - June 12, 2025 3:30 pm
2025tue17jun12:00 pmtue1:00 pmOff the Shelf- UnFunk YourselfVIRTUAL DISCUSSION12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Read a book. Lead with inspiration. SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways
SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways from inspirational leadership books. At each event, facilitators will share key leadership development lessons from leadership-focused books. This is not a book club, rather a guided discussion around the key takeaways from each book.
Prior reading of the book is not required but we encourage participants to share about what they learned and check-out one of the books from Muncie Public Library. All participants attending will be entered in a raffle to win a digital copy of one of the books discussed.
All sessions are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.
UnFunk Yourself: Leading Mindfully in the Midst of Mayhem
discussion facilitated the author herself!: Emily Morash
June 17, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Coffee Talks / Early Risers are free for SLA Members, $50 non-members, $30 non-profits
Lunch & Learns are free for SLA Members, $80 non-members, $60 non-profits
Workshops are free for SLA Members, $250 for non-members, $200 for non-profits
Signature Programs are typically more expensive than other program formats.
Special Programs are offered throughout the year and are often free of charge.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
Interested in facilitating for Shafer Leadership Academy?
Submit a Proposal or Learn More.
These programs may be offered for free due to the generous support of our sponsors and funding partners.
June
2025tue17jun12:00 pmtue1:00 pmOff the Shelf- UnFunk YourselfVIRTUAL DISCUSSION12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Read a book. Lead with inspiration. SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways
SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways from inspirational leadership books. At each event, facilitators will share key leadership development lessons from leadership-focused books. This is not a book club, rather a guided discussion around the key takeaways from each book.
Prior reading of the book is not required but we encourage participants to share about what they learned and check-out one of the books from Muncie Public Library. All participants attending will be entered in a raffle to win a digital copy of one of the books discussed.
All sessions are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.
UnFunk Yourself: Leading Mindfully in the Midst of Mayhem
discussion facilitated the author herself!: Emily Morash
June 17, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
I am grateful to the SLA for equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools, resources, and relationships they will need to move our community forward.
I still remember activities that we participated in and utilize the lessons I took away from the program years later.
Confident leaders and engaged board members make our community strong. That’s why it made sense to partner with Shafer Leadership Academy.
Work with a Shafer Leadership Advisor to build a custom program to fit your needs.
Do you need help creating a plan to develop and grow your people? Our leadership assessment will give you clarity about your biggest opportunities and next steps to align your teams.