2024 Program

The key to Career Pathways’ effectiveness is its unique design. The program is rigorous, highly personal, and built exclusively for philanthropic professionals. The 2024 program will feature both in-person and virtual components.

Every participant becomes part of a small group of grantmakers who share, learn, and grow together—through open conversation and focused learning sessions. After completion of the program, you will be prepared to address the field’s current issues and be part of a cohort of allies and a network for life.

Learning Modules for 2024 Cohort

1. Individual Leadership | The first leadership development module explores defining your identities and values in order to outline the steps towards becoming an authentic and visionary leader. This in-person session also focuses on building relationships within the cohort.
2. Field Leadership | This module provides a combination of networking with seasoned Career Pathways alumni, exposure to mentorship circles, and exploration of sector challenges to support personal and professional growth in relation to current and ongoing challenges in philanthropy. 
3. Organizational Leadership | This module focuses on management approaches, strategies for organizational development, and tools for integrating equity practices into your organization’s operations.
4. Culminating Presentation | In the final module you will present a case study of one element of your work or organization that further develop your skills of problem solving, analysis, and public speaking. This in-person session also celebrates the learning and accomplishments of the cohort.

Career Pathways develops skills and networks unique to the philanthropic sector. Participants will leave empowered to instill equity in their practice and thoughtfully drive change throughout the sector.

Program Components

• Live Sessions | These four interactive multi-day Learning Sessions will provide an in-depth and collaborative learning experience for program participants. Learning Sessions 1 and 4 will be hosted in-person and Learning Sessions 2 and 3 will be hosted via Zoom. 
• Self-Study | The live sessions will be complemented with a range of asynchronous videos, readings, and activities available via our online learning management system. 
• Executive Coaching | Participants will receive five individual professional executive coaching sessions to explore their career obstacles and goals.
• Mentorship Circle | Career Pathways alumni will host small informal sessions with participants to explore their learning progress and career questions.
• Philanthropy Exchange Network | Participants will have access to a cohort community in the Philanthropy Exchange.
• Individual Research Project | Participants will engage in a Home Institution Case Study, an individual leadership development project focused on addressing an organizational challenge. Learning Session 4 is a colloquium format for participants to present their projects.

Need financial support? The Waldman Scholarship covers Career Pathways tuition and other program costs in full or in part as allocated by need. 

What we expect from you

• Full participation in live scheduled Learning Sessions | Career Pathways features 3 to 4 multi-day live learning sessions. Virtual sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Each module will be 12-15 hours of programming in addition to 12-15 hours of homework, coaching, mentorship circles, and other activities. Please make arrangements to be away from your home institution on these dates. 
• Timely homework submissions | Each learning module includes pre-reading, online activities, and online engagement through the Philanthropy Exchange. These homework activities complement the live sessions.
• Participation in individual executive coaching sessions | Each participant will be assigned a professional career coach for personalized guidance on career challenges, goals, and trajectories.  
• Participation in monthly mentorship circles | Career Pathways alumni will host regular calls for a subgroup of your cohort. This monthly call is for reflection and advice as you move through your Career Pathways journey.  
• Completion of a Home Institution Case Study Presentation | Each participant will select an issue or situation unique to their organization and engage leadership, mentors, and peers to explore the situation from multiple angles. Participants will present their case study in the final Learning Session. 
• Support of your home institution | Your employer must support your participation in the program. Your organization must accommodate the time away from your regular responsibilities for you to participate in programming. Additionally, you will engage with your home organization throughout the process to ground your leadership development in the context of your current position.