NAHB Leadership Academy
The application for the 2025 cohort is now open. See below for details.
Leadership Academy Overview
The Leadership Academy is an annual program that takes a small cohort of experienced industry leaders through programming designed to elevate the participants’ leadership skills, build institutional knowledge of the Federation, while inspiring and preparing them to take on greater leadership roles in the future.
The program will allow future leaders to experience multiple aspects of what it means to be a leader in the home building industry, while defining their personal leadership style. Sessions feature guest speakers and industry leaders through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
Examples of topics covered during the 2024 Leadership Academy include:
- Communicating as a Leader
- Advancing the Industry Through Advocacy
- Being a Successful Spokesperson
- Engaging in NAHB Leadership
- Navigating Networking
- Strategic Leadership
Members of NAHB with previous leadership experience who are actively engaged at NAHB and want to continue their leadership journey at the national level are encouraged apply.
Participant Criteria
The NAHB Leadership Academy is designed for a more experienced leader who has previously served in a leadership capacity at their local or state HBA and who is already engaged nationally at NAHB. The ideal candidate is someone who seeks to serve in a more significant leadership capacity at the national level.
Members interested in applying to the Leadership Academy should meet the following criteria, all of which will be reviewed during the participant selection process:
- NAHB membership in good standing
- NAHB active national engagement through committees, councils, events or similar activities
- Local and/or state HBA volunteer experience
- Local and/or state HBA leadership experience
Cohort Description
Each Leadership Academy class will consist of up to 15 participants who make up that class cohort. These participants will work closely together throughout the year while attending program sessions, NAHB meetings and events, and while helping to educate the next generation of leaders who are just starting their national experience with NAHB by helping to lead portions of the NAHB New Attendee Workshops during the NAHB leadership meetings.
Due to the limited class size, we ask that you consider the following before applying:
- Ensure that you can commit to the full scope of the program before you apply
- Understand that if you are not selected to attend this year’s program, that we strongly encourage you to apply again next year
Financial Investment
Participation in the Leadership Academy requires a financial investment by both NAHB and the participant. NAHB will help support the attendance of the in-person sessions as outlined below. All other related travel and participation expenses are the responsibility of the participant. More details can be found in the NAHB Travel Reimbursement Policy.
| In-Person Session |
Financial Investment |
| Meet & Greet |
NAHB will not reimburse participants for travel-related expenses for this session, which will be held during IBS 2025. |
| Kickoff Session |
NAHB will reimburse participants for all related travel expenses as outlined in the NAHB Travel Reimbursement Policy. (This session will be no cost to the participant.) |
| Spring Session |
NAHB will reimburse participants for up to $1,000 of related travel expenses as outlined in the NAHB Travel Reimbursement Policy. |
| Fall Session |
NAHB will reimburse participants for up to $1,000 of related travel expenses as outlined in the NAHB Travel Reimbursement Policy. |
| IBS Session |
NAHB will reimburse participants for up to $1,000 of related travel expenses as outlined in the NAHB Travel Reimbursement Policy. |
Reimbursement Process
Session reimbursements will be processed after each of the in-person sessions. Participants will be emailed a copy of the travel reimbursement form and submission instructions immediately following each session. Please keep records of all your travel receipts, as they are required to be reimbursed.
Attendance Obligations
Attendance at all sessions is required to graduate. A full schedule of the 2025 sessions will be available soon.
Participants who have an unexcused absence for more than a full day of one session will be dropped from the program and encouraged to reapply. Selection for subsequent year’s program cannot be guaranteed. Academy social events are for business networking, so please respect that invitations to Academy functions are intended for participants only, unless otherwise noted or approved.
How to Apply
Each application must include the items listed below. This information will be submitted through the application; however, it is best to have it prepared prior to starting the application. Incomplete registrations or those received after the deadline will not be considered.
Application Requirements:
- Two Letters or Endorsement supporting your participation. Letters can be from any of the following individuals:
- Local or state HBA Executive Officer
- Local or state HBA President
- NAHB National Area / Associate Chairman
- NAHB State Representative
- Respond to the following questions (up to 250-word responses):
- Every leader has a unique leadership journey made up of their personal experiences. Tell us about your leadership journey at the local, state, and national level.
- What are your future goals as an industry leader, and what do you hope to get out of participating in the Leadership Academy?
