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.

Delaina Boyd
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement
Ball State University
As a leader, you may not have an easy way to develop your leadership. This can leave you worried you’ll miss out on opportunities to make a difference. Shafer Leadership Academy helps individuals grow your leadership skills, increase your success, and make an impact in your community.
Virtual Coffee Talks are an excellent way to get your morning started!
Virtual Lunch & Learns are 90-minute sessions designed for the busy learner.
Virtual Workshops are multi-session programs focused on a single topic.
january
27jan(jan 27)2:00 pm28(jan 28)3:30 pmPivoting in the Face of Adversity
Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday Jan 27 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday Jan 28 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Life and business can change FAST, whether you’re ready
Session #1:
Wednesday Jan 27
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday Jan 28
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Life and business can change FAST, whether you’re ready or not! Learning to successfully pivot and embrace a new path all boils down to mindset. This workshop utilizes simple tools to overcome obstacles so participants can make forward progress, all while minimizing the stress involved.
This workshop is applicable to ANYONE! Leaders, staff, entry level, young professional or tenured executive.
Halle Simpson is a globally certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, Keynote Speaker, Trainer and Author of the Know Thyself Journal. Her passion for speaking and coaching stems from growing up in a household with a parent battling depression and the grit gained from a 20 year career in sales and leadership development. In her work with executives and business owners across the country, Halle has come to specialize in creating intentional conversations to grow leaders and their businesses. In her down time, Halle enjoys daily journaling, yoga, massages, watching cooking shows and trips to Traverse City, Michigan. She resides in Indianapolis with her Boston Terrier, Marco (named after Marco Andretti) and is a race fan who attends the Indy 500 each year.
27 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm - 28 (Thursday) 3:30 pm
february
Virtual coffee talk Everyone can learn to practice empathy—it’s a skill that can be trained and developed. But does it actually have an impact on leadership effectiveness? In this interactive session, we’ll
Everyone can learn to practice empathy—it’s a skill that can be trained and developed. But does it actually have an impact on leadership effectiveness?
In this interactive session, we’ll clarify our definition of empathy, identify specific steps to becoming more empathetic, and connect the dots on how listening to and understanding others well can help you overcome self-doubt, improve personal and professional relationships, clarify your communication, and maximize your leadership potential. At the end of the day, empathy may be the missing skill that helps you experience a breakthrough in your personal life and professional leadership.
This program is ideal for: new people-leaders/managers, anyone who leads/manages people, executives looking to retain/develop people skills, and communicators in general
Adam Bouse is a leadership, management, and emotional intelligence coach. He currently serves as a People Insights Coach at Emplify, an Indy-based tech-startup focused on employee engagement and helping all people reach their full potential at work.
Backed by more than 15 years in management and leadership positions, emotional intelligence is a core part of Adam’s coaching practice. His core purpose is to help people grow and teams thrive. He holds an M.A in Organizational Leadership from Huntington University and graduated from Ball State with a B.A. in History. Adam currently resides in Muncie and loves spending time with his wife, Stacey, and three sons. He is currently subscribed to too many podcasts and believes it’s always time for a slice of pie.
(Thursday) 8:00 am - 9:30 am
18feb11:30 am1:00 pmShining in 2021: Visualize Your Best Self
Virtual Lunch & Learn Together we will discuss how you lead when you are at your “personal best” while leading others. In this session you will recognize your personal values along
Together we will discuss how you lead when you are at your “personal best” while leading others. In this session you will recognize your personal values along with identifying leadership principles. There are clear identifiable behaviors and actions that make a difference for every leader. When making extraordinary things happen in organizations, leaders who understand how to engage every moment like their “personal best” moment will be successful in modeling the way for others.
*Participants will utilize Mural, a visual collaboration platform to creatively reflect upon and envision their best selves*
Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014.
Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. Tisha is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.
Eilis (A-lish) Wasserman is a virtual facilitator and coach focused on cultivating confidence and inspiring self-discovery. Eilis recently worked at the Ball State University Career Center, The University of Michigan, and The Muse as a Career Coach and currently has her own career coaching business, Introvert Career Coach, LLC. You may have seen Eilis acting as a digital producer for one of Shafer’s recent virtual program offerings. She currently serves as Shafer Leadership Academy’s Virtual Program Manager where she coordinates virtual programming guiding facilitators to present their best selves.
(Thursday) 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
24feb(feb 24)2:00 pm25(feb 25)3:30 pmHabitudes for Positive Forward Focus
Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday Feb 24 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday Feb 25 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Learning Objectives Utilize Habitudes, images that form leadership
Session #1:
Wednesday Feb 24
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday Feb 25
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Sharlee Lyons is the founder of The People Business 2.0, a coaching and consulting firm with the mission of helping others aspire higher. Sharlee has mastered the art of training others for success, and her qualifications include:
• Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
• Growing Leaders Master Consultant
• Get Positive Certified Coach
• Fascinate Certified Advisor
• International Coaching Federation certification
Before devoting her time to The People Business 2.0, Sharlee served as a Corporate Trainer for Brightpoint, Inc., the Training Manager for Purdue Federal Credit Union, served as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing at The United Way of Greater Lafayette, and has acted as the Director of Krannert Leader’s Academy at Purdue University. Sharlee’s life mission is to not only encourage others, but to inspire and equip them with the tools necessary to reach their potential. Sharlee is a teacher at heart, and has a passion for helping individuals excel in all that they do – allowing them to dream bigger and aspire higher.
24 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm - 25 (Thursday) 3:30 pm
march
04mar8:00 am9:30 amIgniting Your Social Emotional Leadership
Virtual coffee talk In these unique and extraordinary times, true leadership is more important than ever. In this reflective and interactive workshop, participants will examine Emotional Intelligence and Social
In these unique and extraordinary times, true leadership is more important than ever. In this reflective and interactive workshop, participants will examine Emotional Intelligence and Social Emotional skill-building through the lens of their own leadership and leadership style. They will learn tools for maximizing the power of this side of their own leadership, as well as bringing out the best of it in their staff. Beyond the “soft” skills and fluffy exterior, this is as hard as it gets. Join us to uncover new paths and possibilities, for yourself and your program.
Erika Petrelli has been in the field of leadership and people-development for more than 25 years, and is currently The Leadership Program’s Senior Vice President of Leadership Development (and self-declared Minister of Mischief). She spends her days nurturing the individual leadership spirit in both students and adults across the country, through training, coaching, and writing.
She is a regularly featured keynote speaker at youth serving conferences—speaking into the power of igniting the leadership in our youth—and has worked to inspire and inform leadership programming across the country. She speaks her leadership in writing, too, and in addition to regular blogs she wrote an interactive journal, On Wings & Whimsy: Finding the Extraordinary Within The Ordinary, now available for sale on Amazon. The Leadership Program is centrally housed in New York City, while Erika lives in Indiana. The legacy she strives daily to create is to be the runway upon which others take flight.
(Thursday) 8:00 am - 9:30 am
18mar11:30 am1:00 pmThe Simple Act of Appreciation
Virtual Lunch & Learn The way we show and receive appreciation is important to our daily relationships, both personal relationships and our professional ones too. It doesn’t matter if we are
The way we show and receive appreciation is important to our daily relationships, both personal relationships and our professional ones too. It doesn’t matter if we are a leader of a team or an individual contributor, appreciation is a powerful tool. However, it can be extremely tricky to navigate. How can you show someone you appreciate them? What if you have no budget to buy expensive thank-you gifts? You tried to show appreciation to someone once and they didn’t seem appreciative, should you even bother? When people give me praise, I feel uncomfortable.
Learn to understand how people feel appreciated, how to encourage innovation and creativity and how to become comfortable receiving feedback yourself!
Kourtney McCauliff is an experienced Human Resources Professional, with a demonstrated history of working in HR for over 10 years in a variety of different industries, mostly Hospitality and currently Health Care as the Chief Human Resource Officer for Open Door Health Services. She has a focus in Recruiting, Retention, People Development and Employee Engagement. Kourtney is from Michigan but lived in Chicago for a decade before relocating to Muncie. When she isn’t working, she likes to spend time with her husband and family, as well as find ways to be involved in our great community!
(Thursday) 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday Mar 24 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday Mar 25 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM The differences between us do not have to be
Session #1:
Wednesday Mar 24
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday Mar 25
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The differences between us do not have to be polarizing. Our business relationships can be nurtured through emotional intelligence, and be productive despite our differences, to build effective teams. What are the components that establish and sustain trust, diminish tension, and promote greater understanding amid chaos, confusion, and complex topics? Leaders understand that they must get to collaboration despite multiple differences of thought, perspectives, and opinions, to create operational excellence. This interactive session will allow participants to go deep into understanding how to productively approach these conversations and build community in the workplace.
This program is ideal for: emerging leaders, mid-level and executives in all industries.
Thresette Briggs, SHRM-SCP, DDI is Chief Performance Officer of Performance 3 (P3), a national leadership development firm. She is a John Maxwell Team member that believes all leaders can be high-performing, with the right opportunity and the right culture. A certified M/WBE with the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana, and WBE & WOSB with Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, P3’s customized services for keynotes, training, executive coaching & consulting, supplemented by its patented products, deliver high-performance solutions for global leaders in over 10 industries with clients such as Toyota, High Alpha, Ivy Tech, and Nubian Construction Group.
E. Jake Gamble is the President of Leadership Support Services (LSS), a leadership development firm. He is a certified with the Townsend Institute for Leadership & Counseling, which he uses in LSS to support leaders by assessing, designing, developing, implementing and evaluating training programs that provide comprehensive performance solutions and creates sustainable high-culture environments. LSS also provides executive coaching, career planning, and conference and keynote speaking that reflects best business and leadership practices for a host of clients.
24 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm - 25 (Thursday) 3:30 pm
april
01apr8:00 am9:30 amThe Young Professional Experience in Muncie
Virtual coffee talk Come spend time with Kelsey Harrington and Jackie Duffy as they share their experiences navigating the Muncie Community as young professionals, from the lens of a Mocal and
Come spend time with Kelsey Harrington and Jackie Duffy as they share their experiences navigating the Muncie Community as young professionals, from the lens of a Mocal and a transplant, respectively. This presentation aims to provide a better understanding of who the Muncie Young Professional is. This presentation also aims to provide an opportunity for young professionals to come together to share examples of experiencing and overcoming workplace challenges. Kelsey and Jackie will share research they have done about the young professional experiences in Muncie. Additionally, they will share the experiences of and tips from mentors and supervisors of young professionals in the area.
This program is ideal for: young and up & coming professionals in the Muncie community and supervisors of young professionals
Kelsey Harrington: Program Associate for the George and Frances Ball Foundation. Muncie Young Professional for 2 years. Received her Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Art in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.
Jackie Duffy: Residence Hall Director at Ball State University. Muncie Young professional for 2.5 years. Received her Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor’s of Social Work from Ohio University.
(Thursday) 8:00 am - 9:30 am
15apr11:30 am1:00 pmThe Secret Ingredient: Creating Belonging Cultures for The New Reality
Virtual Lunch & Learn In light of our current environment there is an urgency to achieve productivity through diverse culture building, in nearly every industry. Yet, while leaders are inherently diverse,
In light of our current environment there is an urgency to achieve productivity through diverse culture building, in nearly every industry. Yet, while leaders are inherently diverse, and diversity tools are abundant, studies continue pointing to program ineffectiveness. This session will explore how belonging may be the ingredient missing for your diversity programming effectiveness, and how to harness its power to accelerate closing gaps, achieve leader and organization sustainability, and a culture where everyone can contribute effectively.
Thresette Briggs, SHRM-SCP, DDI is Chief Performance Officer of Performance 3 (P3), a national leadership development firm. She is a John Maxwell Team member that believes all leaders can be high-performing, with the right opportunity and the right culture. A certified M/WBE with the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana, and WBE & WOSB with Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, P3’s customized services for keynotes, training, executive coaching & consulting, supplemented by its patented products, deliver high-performance solutions for global leaders in over 10 industries with clients such as Toyota, High Alpha, Ivy Tech, and Nubian Construction Group.
(Thursday) 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
28apr(apr 28)2:00 pm29(apr 29)3:30 pmOvercoming Imposter Syndrome
Virtual Workshop 2-Part Series Session #1: Wednesday Apr 28 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Session #2: Thursday Apr 29 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Ever felt like a professional fraud? Afraid others will
Session #1:
Wednesday Apr 28
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session #2:
Thursday Apr 29
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Ever felt like a professional fraud? Afraid others will see that you’re “faking it” and aren’t as smart or talented as you’ve led them to believe?
If so, you’re one of the 70% of professionals who has experienced Impostor Syndrome.
This program is ideal for: leaders at all experience levels
Dr. Carolyn Goerner is passionate about creating confident leaders. Now in her 21st year as a professor at Indiana University-Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business, she’s coached and mentored graduate and undergraduate students in a variety of management and negotiation courses. She has multiple classes published on LinkedIn Learning and her book “The Confident Millennial: 52 Tips for Leadership Success” was published in September 2020. Carolyn’s company, Practical Paradigms, provides in-person and virtual training programs as well as personal and small group coaching. She received her PhD in Management and Human Resources at The Ohio State University. Carolyn lives in Greenwood, Indiana with her husband Peter and their dogs Charlotte and Etta.
28 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm - 29 (Thursday) 3:30 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.
Delaina Boyd
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement
Ball State University
I still remember activities that we participated in and utilize the lessons I took away from the program years later.
Lauren Berger
Assistant Dean for Students
UNH School of Law
Confident leaders and engaged board members make our community strong. That’s why it made sense to partner with Shafer Leadership Academy.
Kelly K. Shrock
President
The Community Foundation of
Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.
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.