John Philbin
Adjunct Associate Professor, Executive Education Programs
John Philbin
Chicago Booth's Leadership Collective
A Highly Selective Experience—Learn from Booth Faculty, Leading Executives, and Exceptional Peers
Next Session
February 25-November 11, 2027
View All Dates
Location/Format
In Person
Gleacher Center, Chicago
Investment Fee (in USD)
$55,000 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
Next Session
February 25-November 11, 2027
View All Dates
Location/Format
In Person
Gleacher Center, Chicago
Investment Fee (in USD)
$55,000 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
Chicago Booth’s Leadership Collective brings together accomplished senior leaders, renowned Booth faculty, CEOs, and board directors for a year-long experience designed to challenge thinking, sharpen judgment, and prepare leaders for what comes next.
Bringing together the academic rigor of Chicago Booth with the real-world perspective of accomplished CEOs, board directors, founders, and other senior leaders, the Leadership Collective creates a learning environment rarely found in traditional executive education. Participants learn not only from Booth faculty, but from leaders who have navigated the consequential decisions, transformations, and challenges that come with leading at the highest levels.
Just as important is who learns alongside you. A carefully selected cohort of senior executives brings substantial leadership experience into the room, creating candid, high-level conversations that challenge assumptions, sharpen executive judgment, and bring new perspective to real leadership challenges.
A Selective Executive Experience
This program is intentionally small and highly selective. Participants are chosen not only for what they can gain from the experience, but for the perspective they can contribute to the Collective.
By attending this program, you will explore key themes in:
- Expand your perspective through candid exchange with CEOs, board directors, Chicago Booth faculty, and accomplished peers.
- Translate insight into action through executive coaching, peer coaching, feedback, and application to your own leadership challenges.
- Strengthen executive judgment and make consequential decisions with greater confidence, even when information is incomplete.
- Identify opportunities to create value and lead transformation across your organization.
- Build and lead high-performing organizations by aligning people, culture, and leadership with strategic priorities.
- Prepare for greater enterprise and board-level responsibility by deepening your understanding of governance and the relationship between senior management and boards.
Who Should Attend
Participants are senior executives and leaders preparing for the most consequential growth of their careers will benefit by attending.
Roughly 60% currently serve in C-suite roles; others hold major responsibilities in complex organizations, including at Fortune 500 companies. Attendees come from a diverse range of industries and geographies but share a common ambition—to elevate their decision-making, expand strategic influence, and build organizations capable of sustained value creation.
Each cohort is carefully curated to ensure rich cross-industry learning and deep peer connection. In this environment, “all egos are checked at the door”—participants challenge and support one another through real-world casework and peer-coaching sessions.
Faculty and Speakers
The Leadership Collective features Booth faculty and distinguished former CEOs, directors, and industry-leading founders who bring unparalleled experience in transformation and governance.
Notable speakers have included directors who previously ran BCG, Baxter International, HCSC, Kerry Group, Huron Consulting Group, and founded Apollo Global Management. Download the program brochure for a detailed list of past speakers.
Past Participant Insights
Executives from past cohorts reflect on the power of peer learning, trusted relationships, and the transformative impact of the Leadership Collective.
"What makes the Leadership Collective experience stand out is the opportunity to join a group of executives in the same general place on their career journey. This is the secret sauce because it makes the learning together more impactful. The fact that we are facing the same things makes the bond more real. All egos are checked at the door.
No one’s trying to prove anything; we’re building lasting friendships while at the same time learning with and from one another. This is powerful because we can show up as who we are as individuals, which creates the space for rich open and honest dialogue. It makes this an environment that just can’t be replicated.”
- Manika Turnbull, CHRO at HCSC Blue Cross Blue Shield
“The Leadership Collective has been an important part of my development as a leader. It is a unique combination of coaching, mentoring, career pathing all wrapped around a peer relationship framework. It’s a "safe space" to explore the unique challenges of addressing your current professional landscape while reaching into your future potential with access to leaders with inspiring backgrounds. Our meetings have made a real impact on me.”
- Kelley Buchanan, VP and Senior Strategy and Planning Officer, Life Company at USAA
“The Leadership Collective was an incredible experience, and has already proven to be valuable to me in my career. The interaction, discussions, and advice I received from Phil, Stan and my fellow LC classmates was not only timely concerning current challenges, but also invaluable as I navigate my career in the future. While many professionals build contacts through their jobs, the opportunities to build the connections I now have with the individuals I met through this program are truly amazing and irreplaceable.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of this program and gain the insights and guidance from individuals who had nothing but my best interests in mind. I feel so much more prepared to face the challenges that executives are asked to resolve.”
- Adam Godderz, SVP, former Chief Legal Officer at Corporate Secretary at Kansas City Southern Railroad (when in program, now he’s General Counsel and Corp Secretary, Euronet Worldwide)
Program Outline
Strengthen your ability to navigate consequential decisions when information is incomplete, evaluate competing options, and exercise sound executive judgment.
Explore the levers leaders can use to unlock value, mobilize change, and lead meaningful transformation.
Examine how senior leaders build organizational capabilities, strengthen the leadership pipeline, and create competitive advantage through people and culture.
Develop a deeper understanding of what boards need from senior leadership, how effective governance works, and how executives can successfully navigate the relationship between management and the board.
The experience continues between each in-person session through peer coaching, executive coaching, a 360 feedback assessment, ongoing sponsor touch points, and application to real-time leadership challenges.
This gives participants the opportunity to put ideas into practice, learn from the experience, and bring new questions and insights back to the Collective.
Application and Admission Process
Admission to the Leadership Collective is highly selective and often by invitation. However, senior leaders who believe the experience may be a strong fit are warmly encouraged to apply.
Not sure if the Leadership Collective is right for you?
We welcome you to reach out to Ken Johnson at ken.johnson@chicagobooth.edu or John Philbin at john.philbin@chicagobooth.edu to learn more and discuss program fit.
To apply, candidates submit an application along with their resume or CV. Once a completed application has been received, the Booth team may invite the candidate to participate in a brief conversation as part of the review process.
This program requires an application to be considered eligible for program acceptance. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately to avoid delays in processing.
2027 Program Dates
The 2027 cohort is held February 25–November 11, 2027 and includes four in-person sessions:
- February 25–26 in Miami
- May 11–12 in Chicago
- September 21–22 in Chicago
- November 10–11 in Chicago
Upcoming Sessions
Program dates are subject to change.
Download Brochure
Download the program brochure for in-depth insights on who should attend, a schedule preview, past participant profiles, location highlights, networking opportunities, and what to expect. When doing so, you’ll also receive an editable justification letter to help you make the case to your employer for your attendance.
All fields required.
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