Leaders Studio FAQs
Who can participate?
Rippleworks is committed to supporting scaling social ventures. We speak with all social ventures we support to confirm fit. We welcome leaders from all ventures we have spoken with and confirmed fit to participate. That means, leaders from a venture within the Rippleworks portfolio are eligible to participate.
Who should a venture nominate and to which program?
Leaders Studio designs programs for senior leaders (C-Suite Officers, Country Directors, etc.) who manage a function or a team, and for new people managers. To select your nominations, ask yourself: What are your social venture’s goals? How does your leadership need to learn and grow to guide your venture there? Can one of our programs help? Once you have leaders’ names in mind, confirm their interest. Does the program align with their learning goals? How can you support their learning both during and after a program? Take a look at program descriptions to see whom each is for.
Who at a social venture can nominate a leader to apply?
The purpose of venture nominations is to ensure ventures can connect leaders whose learning is most critical to a venture’s next phase of growth to learning programs. We welcome nominations from the person best suited to identify those leaders. We’ve taken nominations from CEOs, Chief People Officers, and Chief Operating Officers. Self-nomination is currently limited to the nominators.
How many leaders can they nominate?
We welcome two leader nominations per program, with a maximum of 2 additional leaders on the waitlist in case nominated leaders need to drop out.
Alternatively, we welcome full leadership teams to apply to join together. We can accept up to two leadership teams per program.
When can a venture nominate leaders?
In 2023, social ventures nomination starts from May 17th for programs between July-December. Leaders nominated must apply during each program’s application period. Ventures are invited to submit their nominations until a program is full, which will be indicated in the nomination form.
I am a nominated leader. Should I apply to participate?
Ask yourself, is the program aligned to your learning goals? Can you commit to participating in all scheduled sessions? Are you willing to try some new things out between sessions? If yes, absolutely!
What is the time commitment?
We kindly ask leaders to attend all listed 2-hour Zoom sessions and allocate an additional 1-2 hours per week to begin to apply learnings in context. For most Leaders Studio programs, the total time commitment is 9-12 hours over 3-4 weeks. Take a look at program descriptions to see dates by program.
How can I apply?
We’ll share an application with all nominated leaders via email 8 weeks before the program starts.
When is the latest I can submit my application?
Applications close 3 weeks before the program starts. Take a look at program descriptions to see dates by program.
What happens when program spots are filled before the application deadline?
We’ve seen program spots fill before the deadline. We encourage you to submit your application early to confirm your availability and continued interest as well as help us understand your needs.
How many programs can I apply to?
We encourage leaders to consider their personal capacity in making this decision. While there is no formal limit, we advise no more than one program per quarter.
What can I expect from a Leaders Studio program?
Program sessions are highly interactive. We’ll ask you to reflect, engage in polls and other activities, discuss in small groups, come off mute and ask questions or share ideas. This isn’t something you can do while driving, making dinner, or watching TV! If your environment and connection allows, we ask you to join over video for your and your peers’ best possible experience.
As a part of the cohort agreement, we encourage you to: Ask questions. Be open. Suspend judgment. Try new things. Make an effort to get to know your peers (If you’re lucky, you’ll have each other as resources even after a program is over!)
Do you offer certification?
We offer a certificate to leaders who complete Managing at Your Best, a 3-month program designed for new and rising People Managers.
How much do programs cost?
We offer all programs free of charge.