Utility Leadership Accelerator Program
For individuals seeking to impact the industry
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.
Different utilities. Different experiences. Different perspectives. One shared goal: BECOMING BETTER LEADERS.
MEA recognizes that leadership development is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Whether individuals are stepping into their first leadership role, leading teams through increasing complexity, or shaping strategy at the executive level, leaders benefit from learning alongside peers who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of the utility industry. As a trade association dedicated to education, leadership, and connection, MEA is uniquely positioned to bring together utility professionals from across the country to learn from experienced facilitators, one another, and the collective wisdom of the industry.
The Utility Leadership Accelerator Program is a cohort-based leadership development experience delivered over four to six months. Each uniquely designed cohort combines individualized leadership coaching, interactive virtual learning sessions, comprehensive leadership and emotional intelligence assessments, and meaningful peer collaboration to equip participants with the confidence, skills, and network to lead with greater impact at every stage of their leadership journey.
Virtual & In-Person
Three cohort editions are available in 2026, each designed to serve participants at various stages of their careers:
Facilitation
This program is designed and led by Daneen Goncalves, Director of Leadership and Strategic Development and Professional Leadership Coach at MEA. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in education, leadership development, executive coaching, facilitation, and adult learning, Daneen creates leadership experiences that blends practical application, peer learning, and individualized coaching to support leaders at every stage of their careers. Throughout each cohort, participants also learn from carefully selected subject matter experts and industry leaders who bring specialized expertise and real-world utility perspectives to the leadership journey.
The Executive Leadership cohort includes an immersive kickoff experience led in partnership with Justin Patton, a nationally recognized expert in emotional intelligence and leadership communication, setting the foundation for participants to deepen their self-awareness, strengthen their leadership presence, and maximize their impact throughout the program.
Configuration
MEA is committed to providing leadership development programming that reflects the priorities of our members, guided directly by your input and evolving needs. All cohorts are shaped by the insights and feedback we receive from you.
The current offerings, including topics and format, are grounded in multiple sources of insight, including: themes emerging from event attendees and committee interactions, independent research, discussions with past cohort participants and leadership training decision-makers.
Assessment | Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about continuing to learn. Leadership growth starts with self-awareness.
Group Coaching | One of the fastest ways to grow as a leader is to learn how someone else solved a problem you’re still trying to figure out.
One-on-One Coaching | Leadership questions rarely have simple answers. Sometimes you don’t need another webinar; you need someone to help you think through the situation in front of you.
Manager & Supervisor Edition | August-November 2026
Focus on people leadership, confidence, communication, coaching, and leading teams effectively.
Intended for:
- Supervisors and managers in the utility industry who spend 50% or more of their time in an office environment.
This leadership cohort is designed to empower utility professionals by building critical leadership skills through a tailored experience of interactive webinars, one-on-one and group coaching, and optional peer accountability partnerships. This program aims to foster a supportive community where participants can develop self-awareness, leverage their unique strengths through the Clifton Strengths assessment, and cultivate the confidence and capabilities needed to lead effectively in the utility sector. Participants will walk away with a leadership certificate of completion and up to 20 professional development hours.
The interactive webinars are delivered by carefully selected subject matter experts in the utility industry.
Register NowHow will this make you a better leader?
- Think like a leader, not only a supervisor. Develop the confidence, judgment, and leadership mindset needed to lead people—not just manage tasks.
- Maximize your natural strengths. Discover your unique leadership talents through CliftonStrengths and learn how to use them to communicate, motivate, and lead more effectively.
- Lead through today’s workplace challenges. Build practical skills to navigate change, manage conflict, lead multiple generations, and keep teams engaged during high-pressure situations.
- Turn learning into action. Reinforce new skills through personalized coaching, peer accountability, and real-world application so lasting behavior change happens—not just temporary inspiration.
- Grow with confidence. Receive individualized coaching to tackle current leadership challenges, gain fresh perspective, and accelerate your professional growth.
- Build a network of utility leaders. Learn alongside supervisors and managers from utilities across the industry who understand the unique challenges you face every day.
- Create lasting impact. Leave with practical tools you can use immediately to strengthen your team, improve communication, and increase your effectiveness as a leader.
Structure
To successfully complete the program and receive their final materials, participants should expect to attend 90% of the live meetings and complete the following by their specified due dates within the program:
- Initial Program Questionnaire
- Clifton Strengths Assessment
- Two (2) leadership reflection essays
- Program Evaluation
Virtual Schedule
The cohort will meet on Microsoft Teams and consists of:
- Five (5) interactive webinars
- Two (2) 1.5 hr group coaching calls
- Three (3) 45-minute one-on-one coaching sessions for each participant
Registration Rates
- Member: $1,995 per person
- Non-member: $2,500 per person
These cohorts require a minimum of 12 participants and are capped at 16 participants. Registration closes two weeks prior to the cohort start date.
Program Content
- Program Kick Off & Your Leadership Talent with CliftonStrengths
August 4 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM CT
- Program kick off, welcome and introductions
- Your Leadership Talent with CliftonStrengths
- Leading Across Generations
August 25 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
- Leading Across Generations: Mastering Group Dynamics and Team Building in the Utility Industry
- Group Coaching | Session 1
September 15 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM CT
- Group coaching call
- De-escalation
October 6 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
- The Art of De-escalation: Keeping Your Team Productive in High-Stress Utility Environments
- Change Management
October 20 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
- Navigating Change: Mastering Change Management and Adaptability in Leadership
- Group Coaching | Session 2
November 3 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM CT
- Group coaching call
- Resilience & Closing
November 17 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM CT
- Mental Health, and Building Resilience in the Workplace
- Program closing
- Leadership Reflection Essays
You will complete two short reflection essays during the program to capture your leadership journey—where you are today, what you’re learning along the way, and how you plan to apply that growth moving forward. These essays replace traditional “assignments” and are designed to help you synthesize key takeaways from the webinars, coaching conversations, peer discussions, and real-world application on the job. Your writing should clearly connect to themes and insights you gained throughout the cohort.
Essay 1: Your Leadership Snapshot + Direction
- Where are you right now in your leadership journey?
- Where do you want to grow next, and why?
- What strengths, challenges, or current realities are shaping how you lead today?
Essay 2: Learning + Application + Impact
- What have you learned about yourself, others, the utility industry, and leadership through this experience?
- What specific changes have you implemented (behaviors, mindset shifts, communication approaches, decisions)?
- How do you expect your continued growth to impact you, your people, and your organization over the next 6–12 months?
- One-on-One Coaching Sessions
- Coaching sessions with Daneen Goncalves will be available for scheduling via Booking
- Each participant has three (3) one-on-one personalized 45-minute coaching sessions with required pre and post work
These sessions are designed to help you dive deeper into your leadership journey, explore your unique strengths, and set meaningful goals. Your coach will support you in tackling real-work challenges, refining your leadership skills, and making the most of everything you’re learning in the program. Your short pre-session survey will be emailed to you after you book your session, and most be completed 48 hours prior to your coaching call.
- Accountability Partner
You will be paired with an accountability partner, a fellow participant who will help you apply what you’re learning after webinars and coaching calls. This partnership is designed to keep you motivated, deepen your insights, and encourage real-world action. After each session, you and your accountability partner should connect to share reflections, set goals, and support each other’s progress. Together, you’ll make sure that what you learn in the cohort sticks and becomes a meaningful part of your leadership journey.
Executive & Senior Management Edition | August-December 2026
Focus on strategy, influence, executive presence, and enterprise leadership
Intended for:
- Senior leaders in the utility industry | Executives and directors
The executive leadership cohort is designed for senior utility leaders who want dedicated space to think strategically, strengthen emotional intelligence, and lead with greater clarity and influence in a complex, evolving industry. The experience combines expert-led learning, executive coaching, and structured peer exchange to help leaders apply insights directly to real-world challenges.
The program begins with a high-impact virtual kickoff led by Justin Patton, a nationally recognized expert in emotional intelligence and leadership communication. Using each participant’s EQ assessment results, this session focuses on building self-awareness and defining a clear, intentional personal leadership vision.
Throughout the program, participants engage in a series of small-group mastermind sessions and one-on-one executive coaching to support strategic reflection, decision-making, and the application of insights to their leadership role.
An in-person workshop, held in conjunction with the MEA Fall Executive Forum, provides a practical setting to develop and refine executive presence. Participants will apply their learning to a self-selected high-impact moment and receive targeted coaching and peer feedback to enhance their effectiveness.
Together, these elements create a cohesive experience that helps leaders build self-awareness, strengthen presence, and lead with greater intention and impact across the enterprise.
Register NowHow will this program make you a better leader?
- Think more strategically. Gain dedicated space to step back from daily demands and focus on the decisions that shape your organization.
- Lead with greater influence. Strengthen your executive presence, communication, and ability to inspire confidence in high-stakes situations.
- Increase your emotional intelligence. Develop the self-awareness and relationship skills that build trust and improve leadership effectiveness.
- Solve real leadership challenges. Bring current issues to coaching and mastermind sessions and leave with practical solutions you can apply immediately.
- Learn alongside senior utility leaders. Build a trusted network of executives who understand the unique challenges facing today’s utility industry.
- Return with lasting impact. Leave with greater clarity, stronger leadership habits, and a personalized approach to leading your organization into the future.
Requirements
To successfully complete the program and receive final materials, participants must attend 90% of the live meetings, and complete the following by their specified due dates within the program:
- Initial Program Questionnaire
- EQ Assessment
- Executive Presence in Action Project
- Program Evaluation
Structure
The cohort consists of the following meetings:
- One 2.5-hour virtual kickoff
- One in-person workshop in conjunction with the MEA Fall Executive Forum
- Three 90-minute virtual mastermind sessions
- Three 60-minute virtual one-on-one coaching sessions
Registration Rates
- Member: $3,000 per person
- Non-member: $3,500 per person
Maximum capacity: 10
Program Content
- Kickoff with Justin Patton: EQ and Defining Your Personal Leadership Vision
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM-11:30 AM CT
Virtual
Justin Patton, known for delivering high-impact programs that challenge leaders to move beyond authority and build trust through leadership and communication, will unlock your emotional intelligence (EQ) and show you how strategic leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room…it’s about being the most emotionally present one.
This bold, interactive session helps you get real about the energy you bring into every room, the relationships you shape, and the culture you help create—intentionally or unintentionally. Using the results of your EQ assessment, high-stakes simulations, and candid conversation, you will uncover where you are thriving, where you may be leaking trust, and how to build habits that actually stick. This isn’t about being soft. It’s about being smart—emotionally smart—and learning to lead with clarity, courage, and connection.
- Small Group Mastermind | Session 1
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM-10:30 AM CT
Virtual
You will participate in three group mastermind sessions, each 90 minutes in length. These structured, peer-driven sessions focus on real leadership challenges, where participants share current challenges and, through group wisdom, receive clarifying questions, peer insights, and coaching. Each session closes with key takeaways and commitments to help you drive action after each session.
- In-Person Workshop in conjunction with MEA Fall Executive Forum Attendance
October 13-15, 2026 | Asheville, NC
In-Person
The Executive Presence in Action Workshop is delivered in conjunction with the MEA Fall Executive Forum*, creating a valuable opportunity for you to gather in person for the October workshop while also taking advantage of the forum experience.
You will identify an upcoming high-impact moment—such as a key meeting, presentation, or speech—and use it as the foundation for development. During the in-person workshop, you will practice elements of this experience and receive focused peer feedback and coaching to strengthen their presence and effectiveness.
Attending the MEA Executive Forum further enhances the experience by placing you among senior energy industry leaders. Through candid discussions, peer interaction, and exposure to strategic industry topics, you will build meaningful connections and strengthen your leadership insight beyond the workshop itself.
*Registration for the Fall Executive Forum is included in the Utility Leadership Accelerator Program fee. Travel and lodging expenses are not included. To participate fully in the workshop and executive forum, please arrive before 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and plan to depart after 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Small Group Mastermind | Session 2
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM-10:30 AM CT
Virtual
You will participate in three group mastermind sessions, each 90 minutes in length. These structured, peer-driven sessions focus on real leadership challenges, where participants share current challenges and, through group wisdom, receive clarifying questions, peer insights, and coaching. Each session closes with key takeaways and commitments to help you drive action after each session.
- Small Group Mastermind | Session 3
Thursday, December 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM-10:30 AM CT
Virtual
You will participate in three group mastermind sessions, each 90 minutes in length. These structured, peer-driven sessions focus on real leadership challenges, where participants share current challenges and, through group wisdom, receive clarifying questions, peer insights, and coaching. Each session closes with key takeaways and commitments to help you drive action after each session.
- One-on-One Executive Coaching Sessions
Scheduled at your convenience
Virtual
You will receive three virtual one-hour executive coaching sessions, scheduled at your convenience. These sessions are designed to create focused space for strategic reflection, sharpen executive judgment, and address real-time leadership challenges you are navigating in your role. Your coach will partner with you to clarify priorities, leverage your strengths at the enterprise level, and translate insights from the program into meaningful action. A brief pre-session questionnaire will be sent after booking to ensure each conversation is targeted and high impact and should be completed 48 hours prior to your session.
Emerging Leader & Individual Contributor Edition | 2027 Dates To Be Announced Soon
Intended for:
- Emerging leaders new to the industry or their position
- Individual contributors in various departments throughout the company
- Early- to mid-career people
This leadership cohort is designed to empower utility professionals by building critical leadership skills through a tailored experience of interactive webinars, one-on-one and group coaching, and peer accountability partnerships. This program aims to foster a supportive community where participants can develop self-awareness, leverage their unique strengths through the CliftonStrengths assessment, and cultivate the confidence and capabilities needed to lead effectively in the utility sector. Participants will walk away with a leadership certificate of completion, up to 8 professional development hours, and a report that recaps the progress they made with actionable next steps for your leadership journey.
The interactive webinars are delivered by carefully selected subject matter experts in the utility industry.
Structure
- CliftonStrengths Leadership Assessment and Program Questionnaire
- Three (3) live, interactive webinars
- Two (2) group coaching calls (predetermined curriculum based on participant survey)
- Two (2) one-on-one 30 minute coaching sessions for each participant
Virtual Schedule
- Webinar and group coaching calls are hosted on Microsoft Teams.
- Each webinar concludes with action items to be completed within two weeks.
Registration Rates (2026)
- Member: $1,500 per person
- Non-member: $2,000 per person
Complete this interest form to be notified when registration becomes available.
For more information, contact Daneen Goncalves at (651) 289-9600 x102 or Chad Shannon at (651) 289-9600 x112.
Or join the mail list to learn about future cohorts.
