Utility Leadership Accelerator Program
For individuals seeking to impact the industry
MEA recognizes the need and desire for aspiring utility leaders to receive leadership training and support in a smaller setting with like-minded leaders across the country. As a trade association focused on education and connections, we have a unique opportunity to create and offer leadership development that engages the broader network and utilizes group wisdom to deliver effective leadership training where individuals feel empowered to impact the industry. Our new Utility Leadership Accelerator Program is conducted in cohorts over four to six months. Each program consists of one-on-one and group leadership coaching, live virtual webinars with predetermined topics, and an in-depth leadership skills assessment with EQ identifiers.
Virtual
Three cohort editions are available in 2026, each designed to serve participants at various stages of their careers:
Executive & Senior Management Edition
August–December 2026
- More information coming soon
- Join the mail list to make sure you receive info when registration opens!
Facilitation
The cohorts are led by MEA Leadership Programs Manager and Executive Coach Daneen Goncalves alongside Frances Shehan, and supported by subject matter experts in the utility industry. In addition to pursuing her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential with a focus on coaching in organizations, Daneen brings extensive education, coaching, and training expertise. Frances is a utility professional with 42 years of experience in natural gas field operations and a deep passion for the industry, training, and leadership.
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 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.
Emerging Leader & Individual Contributor Edition | March-June 2026
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.
This cohort is led by Daneen Goncalves, MEA Leadership Programs Manager and Executive Coach, who brings extensive education, coaching, and training expertise. The interactive webinars are delivered by carefully selected subject matter experts in the utility industry.
Register NowStructure
- 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
We will meet on Webex for our webinar and group coaching calls. Please note that each webinar (not coaching calls) will conclude with a set of action items to be completed within two weeks of the webinar date.
Registration Rates
- Member: $1,500 per person
- Non-member: $2,000 per person
This cohort requires a minimum of 12 participants and is capped at 20 participants. Registration closes two weeks prior to the cohort start date.
Program Content
- Program Kick Off & Your Leadership Talent with CliftonStrengths
March 19 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM CT
- Program kick off, welcome and introductions
- Your Leadership Talent with CliftonStrengths
- Group Coaching | Session 1
April 9 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
- Group coaching call
- Building Relationships
May 7 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
- Building Relationships That Matter: Internal & External Connections
- Group Coaching | Session 2
May 21 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
- Group coaching call
- The Industry & Closing
June 4 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
- Understanding the Business Side of Utilities
- Program closing
- One-on-One Coaching Sessions
- Coaching sessions with Daneen Goncalves will be available for scheduling via Booking
- Each participant has two one-on-one personalized 30 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 pre-work 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.
Manager & Supervisor Edition | August-November 2026
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.
This cohort is led by Daneen Goncalves, MEA Leadership Programs Manager and Executive Coach who brings extensive education, coaching, and training expertise. The interactive webinars are delivered by carefully selected subject matter experts in the utility industry.
Register NowStructure
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: $2,500 per person
- Non-member: $3,000 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 11 | 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.
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.
