Emerging Leaders Program Overview
The Emerging Leaders Program is a five-month program for early-and mid-career professionals in the construction industry ready to supercharge their careers and deliver better results for their companies.
This unique program combines virtual, in-person sessions, and 1:1 coaching to offer an educational experience that transcends traditional management training. Built on the leadership model of being inwardly sound and others-focused, the program emphasizes the proven finding that becoming an exceptional leader is far more about developing who we are as people than improving what we do.
Space is limited to 24 participants. Application deadline extended to June 16, 2025.
Due to the intense and dynamic nature of the Emerging Leaders Program, space is limited to 24 participants.
Submit your application by June 16, 2025.
Over the five months, participants will engage in two immersive in-person group sessions, four live
virtual group sessions, 2-3 virtual 1:1 coaching sessions, and three smaller “Success Team” sessions.
Learn from expert facilitators, industry guest speakers, peer interactions, curated books, presentations,
articles, and case studies. This comprehensive approach will help you understand yourself and others
better, develop strategic decision-making skills, and strengthen your
executive presence.
Participants will gain self-awareness, sharpen their business acumen, and learn to work smarter,
not harder. Companies will benefit from a pipeline of effective leaders, increased job
satisfaction, and more innovative management strategies.
Build Your Leadership Skills: Develop competencies for today and the future, focusing on change
management, managing difficult situations, and crafting your personal brand.
Expand Your Network: Forge strong relationships with fellow attendees, creating a supportive
community of high-potential leaders in construction financial management.
Engage with Industry Experts: Gain insights from guest speakers and facilitators who bring real-
world experience, leadership expertise, and construction knowledge to the program.
We emphasize developing business acumens, change management, managing difficult situations or people, and crafting and managing their personal brand to chart their professional path as they rise through the ranks.
Sponsored By CFMA's Leadership Partner:
2025-26 Program*
- Self-Study: Read the book, The Only Leaders Worth Following (Book will be shipped.)
- Pre-Program 1:1 Coaching Session, 1-hour Zoom/Teams Call (to be scheduled)
- The 2.5-day in-person Kick-Off Session: August 18-20, 2025 (Travel to Princeton, NJ on August 17, 2025)
- Four virtual 2-hour sessions on the following mornings, exact time to be determined:
-
September 10
- October 1
- October 22
- November 12
- Three virtual “Success Team” calls between live sessions (Dates and times TBD.)
- The 1.5-day in-person Closing Session: December 11-12, 2025 (Location TBD. Travel on December 10, 2025)
- Self-Study: Prepare for virtual sessions, e.g., read a case study - approx. 20 minutes each.
*Dates and topics are subject to change
The Program Fee includes all materials, two in-person sessions, four virtual sessions, 2-3 private coaching sessions, and CPE credits. Travel, hotel, and some meal expenses for in-person sessions are not included.
- Member Price: $5,850
- Non-Member Price: $6,000 - Includes full CFMA membership benefits through March 31, 2026.
Space is limited for this dynamic leadership development experience. Apply for the Emerging Leaders Program today and take the first step towards a brighter future for you and your organization.
Applications are due by June 16, 2025.
Investing in this program means investing in your future and your company's success. For more information, contact education@cfma.org.
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM APPLICATION
To get the most from CFMA's Emerging Leaders Program, full participation is essential for you and your peers. Please review the schedule before applying.
- Self-Study Pre-Work: Read The Only Leaders Worth Following (book will be shipped to you)
- Pre-Program Coaching: One 1-hour Zoom/Teams call (scheduled individually)
- Kickoff Session: August 18-20, 2025 — 2.5 days in person (arrive August 17)
- Virtual Sessions: Four 2-hour sessions, mornings of:
- September 10
- October 1
- October 22
- November 12
- Success Teams: Three virtual peer sessions from August to November
- Ongoing Coaching: One to two additional 1-hour Zoom/Teams sessions (September-December)
- Closing Session: December 11-12, 2025 — 1.5 days in person (arrive December 10)
- Self-Study: ~20 minutes of prep before virtual sessions (e.g., case studies)
Note: Dates and times are subject to change.
The Program Fee includes all materials, two in-person sessions, four virtual sessions, 2-3 private coaching sessions, and CPE credits. Travel, hotel, and some meal expenses for in-person sessions are not included.
- Member Price: $5,850
- Non-Member Price: $6,000 - Includes full CFMA membership benefits through March 31, 2026.
Program Fee: $5,850 — includes all materials, two in-person sessions, four virtual sessions, 2-3 private coaching sessions, and CPE credits. Non-members will receive CFMA membership benefits through March 31, 2026.
Space is limited to 24 participants. Apply by June 16, 2025.
Donelle Belway Wright
Donelle Belway Wright is the Lead Facilitator. CFMA Education Department Facilitators will also contribute to the ELP experience.
Donelle brings to executive and leadership coaching her passion for development and her skills as a global business partner and advisor. Her coaching experience has led her to work with sales and manufacturing organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. She has designed and supported integral coaching programs for both emerging and experienced leaders from Executive Vice President to individual contributor while working to build leadership capacity for both the current and future needs of an organization. She designed coaching programs including 360-degree assessment (LCP 360 certified), Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Clifton Strengthsfinder, values clarification, and life and career planning. She believes that satisfaction and success as a leader follows balance and integration of all aspects of one’s life.
As a coach, Donelle integrates each person’s unique goals with the needs of the organization, building on strengths, identifying and developing new capacity to address areas of development, and creating sustainable skill in navigating change whether personal or professional.
Donelle has worked as a human resource executive with global Fortune 100 companies for 25 years. During that time, she held positions at the regional, national, and world-wide level. Her expertise in team and leadership development directed her toward new and emerging businesses where she designed and led culture development initiatives. She has built a reputation for designing and implementing world-wide change initiatives with leadership teams in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her understanding and leadership in the area of diversity and inclusion included developing initiatives in many of her businesses, most recently in the area of implicit bias.
Donelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Vermont. A life-long learner, Donelle holds a Professional Coaching Certification and has completed extensive studies in adult learning and development, counseling, team development, leadership development, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, meditation and spiritual direction.
Dwight Bailey
Dwight decided years ago to pursue improving the quality of leadership effectiveness in individuals and organizations. He believes no one consciously commits to mediocrity. However, many organizations fail to achieve their full performance potential. Dwight understands that becoming a more effective leader has a ripple effect throughout an individual's life and can significantly impact an organization's culture for the better. He is committed to providing individuals and organizations with the experiences necessary to enhance leadership effectiveness. He is committed to helping individuals and organizations discover the best of what is possible and then acts on it. Through effective leadership coaching, consulting, and training, Dwight examines the 'whole-self,' creating deep reflection and resolve to become the best.
Dwight spent 20 years in the United States Army learning to lead others. After leaving the Army, Dwight worked for SunTrust Bank for 18 years. During his tenure, he spent years working as a Leadership Development Coach, responsible for creating and overseeing various Banking Operations employee development activities. He also ran coaching programs to strengthen leadership depth in the division, increase employee bench strength, and provide lift in employee engagement.
Since 2012, Dwight has worked internally and externally with government, corporate and non-profit entities. Services provided focus on leadership development coaching and training, facilitates discussions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and organizational culture.
In addition to numerous United States military leadership schools, Dwight has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Administration from Barry University and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from Webster University. He also holds coaching certifications in Co-Active Life and Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Conversational Intelligence Neuroscience, and the Leadership Circle Profile 360.
