Leadership Academy

2026 Applications Now Open!

Ready to expand your network and take the next step in your career development? Apply today to join our 2026 Leadership Academy cohort.

Overview

The ANCOR Foundation launched the Leadership Academy in 2017 to nurture emerging leaders who are building their careers in services and supports for people with disabilities. Over the course of two years, the Foundation provides training and mentoring opportunities to support mid-career professionals in cultivating their areas of expertise and thought-leadership to build influence and reputation in the national I/DD community as the next generation of leaders.

The Leadership Academy was instrumental in my professional growth and development. Not only did I gain knowledge in a variety of areas, I was able to connect with fellow ANCOR members, and I found a home for myself on ANCOR’s Government Relations Committee. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to develop leadership skills or kickstart their leadership journey. – Nikki Storebo, 2020 cohort

Latest Alumni Contributions

Balancing Complex Needs & Competing Regulations to Improve Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities: webinar presented by Nathan Henninger from Boundless in Ohio (August 2022)

Leading the Way to Support More People in Community: blog post by Michelle Jackson from Ability Connection Oklahoma (May 2020)

Two Years of Learning, A Lifetime of Growth: blog post by Nick Filarelli from Core Services of Northeast Tennessee (November 2019)

Strategies for Finding & Keeping Your Direct Support Workforce: blog post by Suzette Frith from TSE, Inc. in Minnesota (November 2019)

Nick Filarelli (TN) presented at CQL’s 2019 Annual Conference on enabling technology (October 2019)

Congratulations to Nikki Storebo (MN) and Rosy Rubio (NM) for their recent election to the ANCOR Board of Representatives! (October 2019)

Susan Brooks (DC) testified at the DC Council hearing in support of the proposed Direct Support Professional Payment Rate Act of 2019. (June 2019)

Nick Filarelli (TN) jointly presented on a breakout session on the role of technology in I/DD services at ANCOR’s 2019 Annual Conference (April 2019)

Learning From Leading Experts

The ANCOR Foundation is grateful to the many I/DD leaders and subject matter experts who conduct trainings and serve as mentors for the Leadership Academy.