The Blue Ox Business Academy's Leadership Experience is an immersive experience in personal leadership growth through the exploration of community sectors, challenges, and opportunities.
Join a growing group of more than 500 individuals who have graduated from our Leadership Experience program. This 9 month, 10 session program is designed for emerging leaders and high-potential employees to develop essential skills and insights into their leadership character. Seats fill up fast, so don't wait to register.
Through Leadership Experience training, participants will build relationships and gain an inside view of the region's public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Throughout the program, all are challenged to take the next step in their organization and community.
This program is only offered to Chamber Members. Cost is $1,795 per person and limited to 40 individuals. Through the support of Anderson Brothers Construction, scholarships (25% discount) are available to small businesses (up to 5 employees) and non-profit organizations with financial limitations. Just ask.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
SESSION 1: Thursday, September 25 & Friday, September 26, 2025Opening Retreat: DiSC Assessment, Next Level Leading, Effective Communication, Managing Change and Reducing Conflict, Community Service Projects (One overnight stay on September 25th. Session attendance is mandatory.)
SESSION 2: Thursday, October 9, 2025Tourism Experience
SESSION 3: Thursday, November 6, 2025Non-Profits Experience
SESSION 4: Thursday, December 4, 2025Manufacturing and Construction Experience
SESSION 5: Thursday, January 15, 2026Health Care Experience
SESSION 6: Thursday, February 5, 2026Mid-year Retreat: Deep dive into Leadership Development including additional assessments (MBTI/Emotional Intelligence 2.0), conflict resiliency skills, revisiting goals for the year, and team building.
SESSION 7: Thursday, March 5, 2026Education Experience
SESSION 8: Thursday, March or April, 2026 (Date is TBD based on state legislative schedule.)Community Experience: Legislative Day at the Capitol and a stop at KSTP with Anchor Kevin Doran
SESSION 9: Thursday, April 23, 2026Public Service Experience
SESSION 10: Thursday, May 7- Friday, May 8, 2026Media and End of the Year Retreat with additional leadership development, a review of assessments and their application to growth in leadership, and next steps.Afternoon/Evening of the 7th with overnight stay optional finishing at noon on the 8th.
Commencement and Class Reunion will be held at the Celebration of Excellence in November 2026.
RETREATS
COMMITMENTIndividuals are required to attend 10 full (8AM - 5PM approximately) sessions. Only 1 absence will be accepted. Applicants need to review their schedules to make sure that they can attend all of the sessions prior to applying.
UNLEASH YOUR TALENT
TAKE IT FROM OUR GRADUATES
SCHOLARSHIPSScholarships (25% discount) are available to small businesses (up to 5 employees) and Non Profit organizations with financial limitations. Just ask.
REGISTRATIONRegister online. Please be sure to add your title to registration. If you need help contact Paula Chapulis at BlueOx@BrainerdLakesChamber.com. This program will fill quickly, so don't delay!Registration Deadline is September 11, 2025.
Nichole is a dedicated professional with a passion for empowering businesses to thrive. For the past four years, she has served as the Director of the Pequot Lakes Chamber and subsequently the Director of Tourism, where she focuses on connecting businesses to each other, to the chamber and advocating and celebrating tourism in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Before assuming her pivotal role at the Pequot Lakes and Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Nichole garnered invaluable experience in the financial industry and management in the Twin Cities for the past 10 years. During her tenure there, she distinguished herself through her expertise in training new employees and facilitating Lean Six Sigma sessions, embodying a commitment to excellence and efficiency.
Nichole's recent certification in MBTI marks another milestone in her journey of professional development. Armed with her newfound expertise, she has embarked on facilitating sessions, leveraging her background in creating training materials and conducting engaging sessions. Her innate ability to connect with individuals, coupled with her infectious enthusiasm for teaching, enables her to excel in both one-on-one interactions and large classroom settings.
With 30 years experience working with profit and non-profit organizations, as well as owning three businesses, Paula is an accomplished leader and entrepreneur. As a Professional Certified Coach and owner of Aiyana Coaching she specializes in coaching executive and emergent leaders. Paula helps leaders hone their leadership goals and develop strategies for enriched personal, team, and organizational performance.Paula’s approach is warm, purposeful, and action oriented. She uses high level coaching strategies along with her deep professional experience coaching leaders to gain momentum toward their goals. Her passion for excellence is brought to every session, along with her humor, calming personality, and sense of curiosity. Paula has developed training programs, loves to teach adults, and has facilitated boot camp business programs.Panel Discussions will be conducted by area business owners, representatives and nonprofit organizations.
One full day per month, September 2025 through May 2026 (2 day kick off retreat September 25-26, 2025; Mid Year Retreat on Feb 5, and End of the Year Retreat May 14-15, 2026).
Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Our Leadership Experience kicks off with a retreat at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Subsequent sessions will be held at various locations throughout the Lakes Area. Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from these locations. However, transportation will be provided for the trip to St. Paul in March/April.
$1,795 PER PERSONCost to attend includes meals, all assessments, speakers, some transportation, and course materials.
Registration Deadline: September 11, 2025
Register online. Class size is limited to 35-40 participants. Contact Paula Chapulis if you need assistance registering: blueox@brainerdlakeschamber.com.
Scholarships (25% discount) are available to small businesses (up to 5 employees) and non-profit organizations with financial limitations. Just ask.
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