Leadership Florida Education Class

Education Class 8

At Leadership Florida, our mission is to continually discover and convene committed individuals, enhancing and recharging their leadership skills by introducing them to a powerful community through whom they find knowledge and inspiration. We engage Floridians by providing essential information and a meaningful forum for their opinions and create opportunities for shared experiences that are inviting, inspiring, and of lasting value.

Finding the path to vault Florida's education system to national prominence is the central goal for the Leadership Florida Education Class program participants. The Class program includes accomplished superintendents, school board members, principals, teachers, state education department professionals, education foundation representatives, association leaders, business partners, and other public officials. Over the course of eight months, the class members intensively focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with making Florida the number one state in the country for education.

Each session provides program participants with a comprehensive look at education from international, national, and statewide perspectives for the purpose of advancing outcomes in Florida.  Programs focus on educational systems, the examination of best practices, schools, classrooms, partnerships, innovation, and more!

The Leadership Florida Education program has been made possible through a unique partnership between Suncoast Credit Union, the Helios Education Foundation, the Florida Department of Education, Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and Regions Bank endowing Leadership Florida with resources to create and produce this program.  This partnership recognizes Leadership Florida's unique position as the state's most respected non-partisan convener of leaders on critical issues facing Florida's future. Each organization recognizes that no issue is more important than education - an education that enhances the opportunity for all young people to have the life they deserve.

Members of the Leadership Florida Education Program are challenged to apply what they learn in their own work, whether it is in a classroom or a boardroom.  The partners also intend for class members to build trusting relationships statewide that can be leveraged for the rest of their careers on behalf of Florida's students, families, and educators.

Graduation from our classes does not signify the end, but the beginning of a lifetime of opportunity as a member of the Leadership Florida membership network. Leadership Florida convenes regular meetings, regional and statewide, to facilitate continuing issues-oriented education, advanced leadership training, networking, and the opportunity for members to work together toward shared goals.

The over 3,900 graduates of Leadership Florida programs are men and women who serve as chief executive officers of some of Florida's top corporations, mayors, and other elected officials, executives of pivotal non-profit groups, and leading academicians. They are also farmers, managers of high-tech consortiums, rural hospital administrators, and head Florida's most important agencies. They own small businesses and even include law enforcement officers in communities throughout our state. They are committed to local and state communities through their collective service on over 5,000 boards of companies and organizations throughout Florida.

2026-2027 Education Class 11 Session Dates & Locations

Applications are now closed. Visit the the Intent to Apply form for 2027-2028 program information.

September 27-29, 2026: Howey-in-the-Hills
November 18-20, 2026: Tallahassee
January 28, 2027: Virtual
February 24-26, 2027: Orlando
June 3-6, 2027: Annual Meeting, The Boca Raton

2027-2028 Education Class 12 Session Dates & Locations

Intent to Apply is now OPEN
Complete the interest form to stay up-to-date on important application events and deadlines.

September 26-28, 2027: Howey-in-the-Hills
November 17-19, 2027: Tallahassee
January 27, 2028: Virtual
February 23-25, 2028: Orlando
June 8-11, 2028: Annual Meeting, Westin Cocoa Beach

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Leadership Florida Selection Committee, comprised of Leadership Florida graduates from throughout the state, seeks to identify those most likely to utilize their leadership abilities for Florida's long-term benefit and individuals committed to making Florida a better place to live and prosper.  Throughout the application process, including discussions with references, the committee strives to select participants who will represent Florida's diversity.  The basic profile and criteria for selection include the following:

• Professionals that serve in the education space with significant achievements in career and community
• Sincere concern about the future of Florida and a personal commitment to help shape its future
• Demonstrated commitment to the community through past and present activities
• The potential for exercising substantial leadership in the future
• Willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to continue involvement in the organization

AGE REQUIREMENTS

The Leadership Florida Education Program currently has no age requirements. 

PARTICIPATION

Participants are required to attend each session in its entirety to graduate with their class. Leadership Florida strictly enforces this policy.

TUITION AND PAYMENT POLICY

Tuition for the Education Class Program is $2,295 and covers all of your registration fees, activities, local transportation, and most meals for the entire Leadership Florida Class program. Your program year of membership dues are also covered under your tuition. 

Tuition does not include travel or hotel room fees for any of the sessions and does not include the registration fee for Annual Meeting. 

School-based public school employees may be eligible to receive a tuition waiver. 

Previous Graduates

It is a rare exception when Leadership Florida accepts a member into more than one Class Program.  If you are a current member of Leadership Florida and are interested in applying for a Class different from the one you graduated from, please contact us immediately so we can provide some guidance. Please reach out to Abbey Stewart at astewart@leadershipflorida.org or 850-321-1100.