Transform yourself, your organization, and society.
Dynamic & reliable.
Complex & elegant.
Individualized & interconnected.
The leaders who succeed in our quickly transforming world will possess the ultimate duality: seeing what is and what is yet to be.
The Yale Global Executive Leadership Program helps you deftly navigate this complexity. It teaches you to trust your instincts and equips you with science-backed insights to make decisive decisions. It opens spirited conversations with industry legends. It stems the loneliness of leadership, placing you among thought partners and confidants. It provides you with invaluable space for honest growth.
The Yale Global Executive Leadership Program exists to improve and expand the impact of leaders, like you–leaders seeking to make lasting positive change in their organization and in their communities. Because, in the end, it all comes back to our school’s mission: to educate leaders for business & society.
YGELP has allowed me to reconnect with my purpose, with the mission of my organization, and has given me tools to think differently about how to create a culture that equally values my staff and my customers.
About the Program
What to Expect
- Create and maximize value for your organization by utilizing long-term investment strategies, innovating strategically, and building a competitive advantage.
- Balance growth, ambition, and oversight with fiduciary responsibilities and legal realities.
- Leverage an informed global perspective to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunities that add value to your organization.
- Gain critical insights from the latest behavioral economics research to anticipate and satisfy the evolving needs and expectations of today’s consumers.
- Develop a clear personal vision that anchors you as a leader by leveraging vital insights from assessments, peer feedback, and individualized executive coaching sessions.
- Build a lifelong, global network of distinguished peers who are committed to the pursuit of leadership excellence.
- Access resources for lifelong learning and professional growth with Yale International Affiliate status upon program completion.
Post-Program Benefits
Upon completing the program, YGELP participants receive Yale International Affiliate status, which grants access to our vast global alumni network and an array of resources that facilitate lifelong learning, growth, and success.
- Membership in the Yale Alumni Association, a network of 150,000 Yale alumni around the world
- Membership in the Yale School of Management Alumni Association
- Inclusion in the Yale alumni directory and the SOM alumni directory
- A lifelong email forwarding address: [yourname]@aya.yale.edu
- Access to the Yale Career Network
- Access to the Yale SOM Job Board
- Invitation to Yale SOM Executive Education reunions
- Invitation to local SOM chapter events
- Access to selected Yale SOM career services
- 15% program fee reduction on all Yale SOM executive education open enrollment programs
- Free participation in faculty webinars available to SOM alumni
- Invitation to participate in the SOM Alumni Association student mentoring program
- Free access to thousands of journals through JSTOR and HeinOnline
Who Should Attend
YGELP is designed for proven business leaders who are in, or on their way into, the C-suite—someone identified within the leadership pipeline as the next in line. They should be an integral part of the organization’s decision-making team.
We welcome applications from participants with:
- Significant experience and demonstrated career progression and success across levels, including:
- Executive Committee members
- Heads of major business units
- Heads of function for the entire organization
- Senior executive members of core advisory or core operating groups
- At least 20 years of work experience including significant time in senior management roles.
- A strong aspiration to be at the top of both their organization and their industry, striving to make a lasting impact.
Agenda
Three intensive classroom modules held at the Yale School of Management campus immerse you in deep learning, diverse perspectives, and valuable discussions. In between the on-campus modules, your learning journey continues seamlessly through monthly video conferencing-based meetings. You will engage with Yale’s esteemed faculty and your accomplished peers to discuss the latest research or a case study, share insights into and reflections on how you are applying your learnings, and get guidance from the Yale network.
The YGELP curriculum is divided into three pillars: Leadership in Business and Society, Global Perspectives, and Executive Toolkit. Content evolves with the needs of the community to remain relevant and compelling. Below is a sample of topics you may experience in this career-shaping program.
The Yale School of Management mission of educating leaders for business and society is woven into the program by elevating your capacity to drive organizational success while weighing the interests of all stakeholders.
- Leadership styles and motivation
- High-performing teams
- Stakeholder capitalism
- Corporate financial management
- Corporate governance
- Board management
- Gender discrimination in the labor market
- Sustainability concepts for business leadership
Deepen your understanding of the global context of business to overcome the strategic challenges of operating in a globalized world.
- Ethical leadership in the global community
- Strategies for organizational emergencies
- The global economy
- Immigration policy
- Global macroeconomic trends
- Opportunities and risks in emerging markets
Sharpen your business acumen to drive profitability and growth in your organization.
- Decision-making
- Monetization and growth strategies
- Systematic approaches to creativity
- Value creation, competition, and startups
- Leadership resilience
- Digital transformation
- Negotiations
- Effective networks
- Executive voice and presence
- Influence and persuasion
- Behavioral economics and modern marketing
- Employee engagement and motivation
- Stocks, bonds, bills, and inflation
- Behavioral finance
- Restructuring and turnaround situations
Testimonials
“YGELP allowed me a vision into the perspective of other thought leaders. Those in the classroom teaching it and those who were also there as students. I went into the program with the hopes of meeting similarly situated executives to see how I compared. I left the program with a renewed zeal and desire to push my self-imposed limits even further.”
Christopher M. Naghibi, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, First Foundation Bank
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“Excellent and well-rounded program, with lecturers with deep subject matter knowledge. Highly recommend it to global leaders who want to make a difference.”
Dung Tran, VP, Managing Director and Board Member, Spartronics
“Terrific professors, amazing group of talented classmates, inspiring coaching sessions, superb content, and useful tools to incorporate into my management toolbox – just the tip of the iceberg of highlights. I'm exceedingly grateful to the fantastic Yale SOM team for their professional approach and support! Special compliments to Professor Sonnenfeld for his unending enthusiasm, incredible charisma, great knowledge, and the exciting American & global contexts he shared with us. YGELP has had a tremendous impact on myself and will definitely bring benefits to my organization. Learning is the mother of all leadership competencies. I’d highly recommend Yale SOM as the best place to get important knowledge, skills, and attitudes, required for leaders in the fast-changing globalized world.”
Daniil Klyuchnikov, Sales Director, Central & Eastern Europe, the Emerging Markets, Transporeon
“YGELP opened my aperture. The confidence I gained, combined with the incredible Yale community and cohort I can contact for guidance, has enhanced my abilities to meet the diverse challenges of my current position and made me a better leader for our team. I also gained a tremendous amount of respect for my cohorts - to an individual, they are innovative, intelligent, courageous, empathetic, and completely dedicated to their people. It was an honor to learn from and with them.”
Gloria Berlanga, Chief of Staff, Rhode Island National Guard
“Yale’s Global Executive Leadership Program is ideal for transitioning senior military leaders looking to continue achievement in the private sector. The course content and structure (along with your class cohort) will evolve your thinking as a leader.”
Lonnie Garris, Founder & CEO, Cool Amps Corp.
“I came to Yale in transition after a company reorganization. As a high-drive, high-functioning, high-level executive leader for 20 years, I felt like my purpose was in question. And I didn't have a tribe. Fast forward seven months, post-program: I'm a successful consultant; a social venture founder; and most importantly, a member of a worldwide 'tribe' of executives, faculty, and administration who helped challenge me to say, "So what? It happened. Now what? Get out there. Raise the bar and change the world." You'll see that across the experience, and it is invaluable. There are plenty of executive education programs out there - choose Yale if you want a lifetime of connections, business opportunities, and being a Yalie for life!”
Demi Knight Clark, Founder + Chief Spark Igniter, Spark Building Group
“I came to the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program with high expectations based on what I knew about the program and my interactions with program staff prior to our arrival on campus. They exceeded all my expectations. Venue, instructors, topics, and classmates are all world-class. The quality of instruction is matched by the amazing opportunity to make life-long friendships with peers around the world. Truly a great program.”
Rodrigo Jimenez, CEO, Sceptre Hospitality Resources
Faculty
Faculty Director
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies; Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management; Founder and CEO of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute
Areas of Expertise: CEOs, Corporate Governance, Ethics, Leadership, Workplace Issues
Read the full bio
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is currently the Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies and Lester Crown Professor in Management Practice at the Yale School of Management, as well as founder and president of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute, a nonprofit educational and research institute focused on CEO leadership and corporate governance. He previously served as a full tenured professor at Emory's Goizueta Business School for a decade and a professor at the Harvard Business School for a decade.
Professor Sonnenfeld's related research has been published in 100 scholarly articles which appeared in the leading academic journals in management such as Administrative Sciences Quarterly, the Academy of Management Journal, the Academy of Management Review, the Journal of Organizational Behavior, Social Forces, Human Relations, and Human Resource Management. He has also authored eight books, including The Hero's Farewell, an award-winning study of CEO succession, and another best seller, Firing Back, a study on leadership resilience in the face of adversity.
Professor Sonnenfeld’s work is regularly cited by the general media in such outlets as: BusinessWeek, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, the Economist, the Financial Times, the Washington Post, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FOX, NBC, ABC as well as PBS, and he is a staff contributor for CNBC and a staff columnist for Fortune, Time, Chief Executive, and Corporate Board Member.
Sonnenfeld was recognized by Poets & Quants Magazine as the 2022 Professor of the Year in recognition of his high-profile efforts to catalyze the historic exits from Russia of over 1,000+ global businesses after the invasion of Ukraine, and was named to Worth Magazine’s “Worthy 100 Leaders”, an annual global listing of the most influential leaders across society.
Sonnenfeld has advised the White House, U.S. State Department, U.S. Treasury Department, and Council of Economic Advisers on Russian economic sanctions and business retreats and has testified to the U.S. Congress; in addition, he has been profiled by various media outlets including TIME, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, the Washington Post, and Business Insider. BusinessWeek listed Sonnenfeld as one of the world’s 10 most influential business school professors and Directorship magazine has listed him among the 100 most influential figures in corporate governance.
He is the first academician to have rung the opening bells of both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Exchange having done so ten times. Professor Sonnenfeld earned the 2018 Ellis Island award from the US Ellis Island Foundation. He was Harvard’s first John Whitehead Faculty Fellow and won outstanding educator awards at Yale, Emory and the American Society for Training and Development.
He is now a member of the board of Lennar, the leading American homebuilder, as well as IEX, Atlas Merchant Capital, and the Ellis Island Honor Society. Professor Sonnenfeld was appointed by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to serve as co-chair of Advance CT, where he helps lead the state’s economic development, including attracting and retaining leading global businesses and developing the state’s workforce. Sonnenfeld also serves on the Board of Directors of Connecticut Innovations, which is focused on building the innovation and business ecosystem within the state of Connecticut.
Application Information
Program Details
The February 16, 2024 application deadline for the 2024 cohort has now passed. Dates for the 2025 cohort are forthcoming.
Program dates:
Module 1: April 28-May 10, 2024
Module 2: September 15-27, 2024
Module 3: December 1-6, 2024
In between the on-campus modules, your learning journey continues seamlessly through monthly virtual meetings.
Location: On campus
Program fee: $60,000 – Includes lodging and some meals.
Program requirements: Participation in all on-campus modules is required; attendance at monthly virtual meetings is encouraged.
Contact: Joanne Legler, Senior Director of Learning Partnerships
Application
For more information about the application process, please visit our Application Information webpage.
Admissions Requirements
An application is required for admission to YGELP. The Admissions Committee considers a candidate’s experience in current and past roles, in addition to future responsibilities. The committee seeks qualified individuals who are senior-level decision-makers representing a wide range of backgrounds. Selective enrollment of highly qualified and diverse candidates enhances the learning experience and value for supporting organizations. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential for the completion of course assignments and active engagement.
Program Fee Assistance
Yale School of Management is proud to offer funding support for veterans interested in this program. For more information about financial aid options and eligibility, please visit the Executive Education Veterans Benefits page.
Hear from Past Participants
FAQs
How many participants are in each cohort?
The average size for each cohort is 40; in the past, cohorts have ranged from 29 to 45. The program is intentionally small to create meaningful connections between participants both during and after the program and to provide individualized attention in class and during monthly Zoom meetings.
Who is in each cohort?
Each cohort is diverse in terms of citizenship/location, industry, and function. The common thread is that each participant is expected to be at/on the track to a C-level, leadership position and an integral part of the organization’s decision-making team.
Are the dates fixed? Is there any flexibility?
The dates are fixed. Each cohort meets for two weeks in April/May to kick off the program. The cohort also meets for two weeks in September and concludes with one week in December. In addition, cohort members gather monthly with the faculty director via Zoom.
What is the schedule for each day?
During each module on campus, classes start at 8:30 a.m. and usually end at 5 p.m. A detailed agenda, including access to pre-work and readings, will be available via our online learning platform a few weeks before each module.
What is the cost of YGELP? What does the cost include?
The cost for the program is $60,000. Included in the cost for YGELP are the program fee, study materials, lodging, and some meals (including welcome and closing dinners). The fee does not include travel to and from New Haven.
Where does the program take place?
YGELP takes place on campus at the home of the Yale School of Management, Edward P. Evans Hall. Monthly check-in meetings between modules are held via Zoom.
Where do students stay while on campus for YGELP?
Participants are provided accommodation at a local hotel in downtown New Haven, within walking distance of the Yale School of Management.
Are veterans eligible for any special benefits?
The Yale School of Management is proud to support special funding opportunities for military professionals through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for select programs, including YGELP.
Click here to download a PDF with full instructions on how to apply for benefits in our program. Please contact Joseph Laurito (joseph.laurito@yale.edu) to help walk you through the process, including the secure transfer of required documents.
What are the post-program benefits?
Upon completing the program, YGELP participants receive Yale International Affiliate status, which grants access to our vast global alumni network and an array of resources that facilitate lifelong learning, growth, and success. Please see the “About the Program” section above for more detailed information.
What is the attendance policy?
Participants are admitted with the understanding that they will be free from company duties during the program sessions and will devote their full attention to the program. Full engagement for the entirety of the program ensures that you get the most out of your peers' contributions and that they benefit from your insights. Attendance at all classes, peer groups, and program events, unless otherwise noted as optional, is required. Please note that unexcused absences will impact your eligibility for Yale International Affiliate status and/or a certificate at the program's end.
Additional Information
Webinar Recordings
Open House for the Yale Global Executive Leadership Program, featuring Professor Jeff Sonnenfeld and past participants Marcelo Barroso, Madhu Mujoo, and Keno Sadler.
Watch video
Application FAQs webinar featuring Senior Director of Learning Partnerships, Joanne Legler; Registrar and Associate Director of Learning Operations, Jaime Willadsen; and Director of Marketing, Kristen Sorek West.
Watch video