Level up careerS with Ignite Louisville

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 to ensure the best possible experience for all participants. If program sessions are not attended, it impacts the experience of everyone in the program.

Program tuition is non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal or dismissal.

General Attendance Rules

• Mandatory Sessions: Missing a mandatory session (such as an opening day or retreat) in whole or in part will result in automatic dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition.
• Allowed absences: For non-mandatory sessions, full-day and partial-day absences are both counted. Time away from a program day will be tracked, and 8 hours total equals one (1) absence. Each program specifies how many absences are allowed.
• Exceeding allowed absences: If you exceed the absence limit for your program, your continued participation will be reviewed by the Leadership Louisville Center Board of Directors. You must petition the Board in writing within 30 days of notification, explaining the reasons for your absences. Failure to petition will result in dismissal.
• Consecutive absences: Consecutive absences beyond the program’s limit will result in automatic dismissal.

Ignite Louisville Attendance Policy

• The October opening retreat must be attended in full. Missing any part will result in automatic dismissal and forfeiture of tuition.
• Outside of mandatory sessions, one (1) excused absence is allowed.
• A second absence triggers review by the Board of Directors.
• If approved to continue, a third absence will result in dismissal.
• Two consecutive absences will result in dismissal.

Tuition for Ignite Louisville is $4,725. 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.