Level up careerS with Ignite Louisville
Since 2004, Ignite Louisville has been the go-to leadership experience for companies looking to develop their top talent. This competitive, six-month program enhances leadership skills, expands professional networks, and equips participants to drive greater results in their organizations and communities.
Ignite Louisville is more than a leadership program—it’s a talent accelerator and a masterclass in leading with and through others.
INTERESTED IN IGNITE LOUISVILLE?
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For High-Potential Leaders
Ignite Louisville is designed for high-potential professionals on a leadership track – individual contributors, managers, and directors ready to advance and make a greater impact. Participants are typically 25-45 years old and represent diverse industries.
Leadership Development
Participants learn from leadership experts and world-class curriculum from LeadingBetter™. Training and experience will strengthen key leadership competencies, including communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking, equipping participants to stand out and succeed.
Valuable Networking & Relationships
The experience includes meeting with and learning from successful leaders in our region, bringing valuable insights back to your organization. Networks are expanded as you connect with high-performing peers.
Enhanced Productivity & Results
Ignite Louisville is a masterclass in leading with and through others. Participants build skills to lead teams effectively, manage projects, and drive innovation, enabling you to return to your role with increased confidence, effectiveness, and impact.
Community Impact
Participants engage in a hands-on nonprofit project, honing leadership skills while delivering tangible community impact. You’ll apply real-world teamwork and leadership lessons (with a little healthy competition) in the Ignite Louisville Leadership Challenge. Learn more.
6-Month Program
Program runs six months, from October-April, kicking off with an immersive overnight retreat and continuing with monthly program days. See dates for the upcoming class in our online program calendar.
Competitive Application
Individuals apply through our online application, a committee selects the class. The deadline to apply for the next class is August 1, 2025.
Tuition
Tuition for Ignite Louisville is $4,500, includes overnight retreat lodging, meals, and materials.
Frequently asked questions
Ideal Ignite Louisville candidates are:
- Designed for high-potential professionals on a leadership track, including individual contributors, managers, and directors ready to advance and make a greater impact.
- Individuals who are engaged, involved, and ready to make a positive impact both in their career and in their community.
Typically between the ages of 25-45. Leaders above and below this age range are invited to contact us and we can help you decide if Ignite Louisville is right for you.
The program runs 6 months, from October-April. The experience includes a mandatory two-day opening retreat, one full program day per month, and additional time spent working with a nonprofit partner in the Ignite Louisville Leadership Challenge community leadership project. To get the most out of the program, participants are expected to attend all program days – so please check the program calendar to ensure the dates work for your schedule prior to submitting an application.
The Leadership Louisville Center programs have attendance policies designed to give everyone the best possible experience. Exceeding the allowed absences for your program will result in a review of your continued participation by the Leadership Louisville Center Board of Directors. At that point, you must petition the Board to review your status via a letter outlining the reasons for exceeding the allowed absences. The board chair will rule on these matters. Failure to petition the board will result in dismissal.
- Full and partial days are counted. Any hours away from the program day will be tracked and 8 hours will add up to an absence.
- Failure to attend the mandatory sessions in their entirety will result in automatic dismissal from the program and forfeiting of tuition.
- When using an excused absence, please notify the program manager as far in advance as possible. In cases where you cannot provide advanced notice, day-of notification is helpful so staff will know who to expect.
- Consult program calendars for dates of all mandatory events.
IGNITE LOUISVILLE ATTENDANCE POLICY
- The two-day opening retreat in April or October is mandatory in its entirety.
- One excused absence, or equivalent hours, is allowed. A second absence will result in a review of your continued participation by the Leadership Louisville Center Board of Directors.
- If approved to continue after a second absence, a third absence would result in automatic dismissal.
- Two consecutive absences will result in automatic dismissal.
Tuition for Ignite Louisville is $4,500. This includes overnight retreat lodging, meals, and materials. We understand that this is a barrier for some, and encourage you to reach out to us for guidance on how to convince your employer to fund the cost of the program. If your employer is unable to support your participation financially, tuition assistance through Leadership Louisville Center is available for non-profit and small business professionals. You can request tuition assistance through your application form.
Ignite Louisville’s curriculum feature exclusive content from leadership experts and world-class curriculum from LeadingBetter™. Training topics include: innovation, creative thinking, project management, effective communication, personal branding, inclusive leadership, and leading up, down, and across. Through the Ignite Louisville Leadership Challenge (the service-learning component of the program), participants gain insight into the inner-workings of nonprofit organizations and gain hands-on experience in community leadership, board involvement, and teamwork.
Ignite Louisville classes are usually made up of about 45 – 50 participants.
Applications for the next Ignite Louisville class will officially open in Spring/Summer 2025, the deadline to apply is August 1, 2025. Our selection committee considers experience, community service, responses to essay questions, and approval from your employer/supervisor. The application consists of three parts:
- Submit your online application.
- Have your manager complete this commitment form. A form from your supervisor must be completed to be considered for the program. If you have more than one supervisor who would be impacted by your participation in Ignite Louisville, you must submit a commitment form from each of them.
- Upload a high-quality photo (headshot). Please submit a photo that is at least 1200px wide and at least 200 pixels per inch resolution. The photo may be uploaded at the link at the bottom of this page,
Applications are considered complete once all components of the application have been received by the Leadership Louisville Center. A selection committee determines which applicants will be invited to participate in Ignite Louisville.