The LEAD Program: A Transformative Online Educational Experience
In Brief
The LEAD program, offered by Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), provides a unique online educational experience that connects business leaders from diverse industries around the globe. Its innovative design fosters community and collaboration, enhancing participant engagement compared to traditional online courses. Graduates not only advance their leadership skills but also create a lasting network for ongoing professional and personal growth.
A New Opportunity for Leadership
In 2014, a shift in leadership at a major motor home and camper van provider in New Zealand opened unexpected doors for Saskia Verraes. After nearly a decade in the company, she was given the chance to implement sustainability initiatives across the organization. However, Verraes recognized that to influence the entire company effectively, she needed to expand her skill set. “I had to be able to speak the language and use the tools that everyone was using in our company’s various disciplines,” she recalls. This realization led her to discover the LEAD program.
The Birth of a Flagship Program
Launched as an unprecedented experiment, the Stanford LEAD program has become the flagship online executive education offering at Stanford GSB. Each year, it hosts two cohorts of 400-450 business professionals and supports a growing alumni community of over 6,000 participants across 112 countries. The program’s success was not guaranteed, as David Weinstein, associate dean at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, explains. In 2014, he led a task force to design a program that would replicate the immersive experience of an on-campus MBA for experienced leaders worldwide.
Fostering Human Connection
The task force prioritized understanding the potential of remote learning. Unlike other online programs at the time, which struggled to create a sense of community, LEAD focused on human connection. “We made sure human connection drove all our decisions about technology,” says Audrey Witters, who served as managing director of online education for Stanford Executive Education in 2014. This commitment to community became the program’s breakthrough feature.
LEAD students enjoy an online virtual campus, proactive course facilitators, and access to a global network of peers. “We wanted to open this program to people who may have dreamed of coming to Stanford but never saw that as feasible,” says Peter DeMarzo, the program’s founder. The ongoing engagement of LEAD students post-graduation sets it apart from traditional MBA programs.
A Dream Team of Faculty
Today, LEAD has evolved into a proven educational model, offering a curriculum that includes eight 8-week courses covering critical thinking, finance, and leadership. Participants engage in live and recorded sessions with senior Stanford faculty, receive personal coaching, and collaborate with peers through various interactive formats. Graduates earn a Stanford GSB Professional Certificate, further enhancing their credentials.
“The most valuable part of LEAD is the people,” says Gabrielle Raymond McGee, a member of the 2016 cohort. The program’s iterative design allows students to apply what they learn immediately in their workplaces, fostering a cycle of reflection and feedback that enhances learning.
Expanding Horizons
The program’s launch in 2014 was a transformative experience for participants like Göran Broberg, who joined the pilot cohort. “The LEAD experience at first seemed like a mad experiment,” he recalls, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of his peers. This exposure to various perspectives is a key reason for the program’s success.
LEAD participants, affectionately known as LEADers, also engage in interest groups like the LEAD Incubator Startup Accelerator (LISA), which supports entrepreneurial ventures. The annual Me2We gathering, held on the Stanford campus, further strengthens community ties, drawing hundreds of participants each year.
Lifelong Learning and Impact
The LEAD program is not just an educational experience; it’s a lifelong journey. “Once you join the LEAD program, you’re joining the entire community,” says Marineh Lalikian, LEAD Director. This ongoing connection allows participants to continue learning and growing together.
Saskia Verraes, who became the chief sustainability officer at her company, credits LEAD with equipping her to implement sustainability practices across multiple regions. Today, she serves as the director of impact for a sustainability consulting organization and co-founded Match4Action, an international nonprofit.
Looking Ahead
As the LEAD program enters its next decade, it aims to provide even more support for its expanding alumni community. “LEADers are all making a huge investment in their development and growth,” Lalikian notes. The program continues to open access to Stanford GSB, allowing participants to impact their companies, communities, and the world.
Me2We: Bringing LEADers Together
Each year, the Me2We gathering serves as a highlight for LEAD participants, offering a chance to meet peers, network, and engage with faculty. What began as a small dinner has grown into a major event, reflecting the strong desire for in-person connection among LEADers.
The success of the LEAD program is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and continuous learning. As participants like Göran Broberg and Saskia Verraes demonstrate, the skills and networks developed through LEAD can lead to transformative changes in both personal and professional realms. The journey continues, and the future looks bright for LEAD graduates eager to make a difference in the world.
