Leadership development programs usually focus on building better managers and stronger decision-makers. But sometimes, they aim for something more: connecting professional growth with a larger purpose. That’s the idea behind LEAP 2026, a Phoenix-based leadership cohort created through a partnership between the nonprofit March of Dimes and Leadership Edge Live.
Designed for experienced professionals and established leaders, LEAP 2026 is a six-month leadership development program that blends executive coaching, peer learning, and leadership assessments. But what makes the initiative unique is its purpose-driven approach.
The program not only helps leaders strengthen their skills but also supports the March of Dimes’ mission to improve maternal and infant health. In fact, all profits from the program will contribute directly to the organization’s efforts to support healthier pregnancies and babies.
March of Dimes and Leadership Edge Live Bring Leadership and Purpose Together
At its core, LEAP 2026 reflects a collaboration between two organizations with different but complementary missions. Leadership Edge Live, known for its cohort-based training programs, focuses on helping professionals grow into more effective leaders. Through workshops, coaching, and structured feedback, the company works with executives and managers to strengthen leadership skills that influence both teams and organizations.
March of Dimes, meanwhile, operates in a very different space. The nonprofit has long been dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies, funding research, advocating for better healthcare policies, and supporting families facing complications during pregnancy or childbirth. By partnering with Leadership Edge Live for LEAP 2026, the organization becomes part of a program that connects leadership development with social impact.
The collaboration has also drawn attention from the Greater Phoenix Chamber, where both organizations are members. The Chamber recently highlighted the initiative as an example of how business and nonprofit communities can work together to create programs that benefit both leadership development and the wider community.
Inside the LEAP 2026 Leadership Program
LEAP 2026 is structured as a cohort-style leadership program, meaning participants go through the experience together as a group over six months. The format encourages collaboration and discussion among leaders who may come from different industries but share similar responsibilities within their organizations.
Throughout the program, participants take part in in-person sessions that explore real leadership challenges, ranging from decision-making and communication to building stronger teams. These sessions are complemented by executive coaching, where participants work directly with experienced leadership coaches to refine their leadership style and address specific challenges they may be facing in their roles.
Another key element of the program is the use of 360-degree leadership assessments. These assessments gather feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and team members to provide a more complete picture of how a leader is perceived within their organization. For many professionals, this type of feedback can offer valuable insight into leadership strengths as well as areas for growth.
Leadership Edge Live has been running versions of the program for several years, and since 2017, more than 250 senior leaders have completed the cohort experience. That growing network of participants has helped establish the program as a space where leaders can not only develop new skills but also build lasting professional relationships.
Leadership Development That Supports a Larger Mission
While leadership training is the foundation of LEAP 2026, the program’s partnership with March of Dimes introduces a meaningful dimension that extends beyond professional development.
March of Dimes has spent decades working to improve outcomes for mothers and babies, by building partnerships to end the maternal and infant health crisis, advocating for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies, investing in research and innovation in the maternal healthcare space, and offering families and professionals resources and learning opportunities. Through these, the organization continues to play a major role in supporting maternal and infant health across the United States.
By linking the leadership program to this mission, LEAP 2026 creates an opportunity for participants to contribute to something larger than their own professional growth. Program profits will help fund initiatives that support healthier pregnancies and stronger starts for newborns, an outcome that connects leadership development with real-world impact.
Takeaways
The launch of LEAP 2026 highlights a broader shift in how leadership programs are evolving. Increasingly, organizations are recognizing that leadership development doesn’t have to exist in isolation from social impact. Programs that combine professional growth with community engagement are becoming more common as leaders seek opportunities to align their work with meaningful causes.
Through the partnership between Leadership Edge Live and March of Dimes, LEAP 2026 offers exactly that kind of experience. Participants gain practical leadership skills while also contributing to a mission that supports families and communities and for leaders in Phoenix and beyond, the program represents more than just a learning opportunity.
