Inclusive Leadership Exchange

Join the 2025 Inclusive Leadership Exchange cohort

Join us for a virtual Inclusive Leader Exchange program, designed for mid-level leaders within the Greater Rochester community who are dedicated to fostering inclusion within their teams. This program is for leaders who understand that when everyone does well and no one is unintentionally left behind, the entire team thrives.

The Inclusive Leader Exchange offers a unique space for leaders to share ideas, enhance their skills, and develop strategies to harness the full potential of each team member, driving engagement and results by leveraging diverse perspectives.

Participants will benefit from best practices shared by a seasoned facilitator and engage in meaningful exchanges with fellow leaders. For leaders eager to cultivate a workplace where fairness, opportunity, and respect are paramount, and where everyone's talents can shine, this program is for you.

Greater Rochester Chamber's Inclusive Leadership Exchange offers:

Confidentiality

This exclusive program is operated with complete confidentiality.

Exceptional Value & Added Benefits

This 10-month virtual Inclusive Leadership Exchange program is offered for only $1,000 is a fraction of the cost of other leadership development programs. This program also allows opportunities to connect in person at social gatherings to foster relationships with other fellow Inclusive Leadership Exchange program members. Access to our Business Made Socials at no cost, exclusive discounts at our Colors of Success Leadership Awards event in October and enjoy special rates for the Q&A section in both the printed and digital versions of the Awards magazine.

Convenience

This program is designed to fit your busy schedule, meeting once a month, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in a virtual format. No travel needed, except for some in-person social gatherings to further relationships among your peers within the Inclusive Leadership Exchange program members.

Personalized Approach

Professional facilitation and industry exclusivity allow for confidential, sensitive discussions around challenges and initiatives in a safe space to openly discuss new ideas.

Meet our exclusive expert facilitator for Greater Rochester Chamber's Inclusive Leadership Exchange program

This program was created based on the framework provided by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and in collaboration with Sesha Yalamanchili, a highly successful facilitator who has led thriving, sold-out Leadership Exchange programs for over five years in the Buffalo and Rochester regions.

Focused on driving results, Sesha leverages her extensive background in sales, marketing, operations, and innovation to influence organizations of every size and scope. From entrepreneurial startups to large corporations, Sesha’s vast real-world experience spans careers in consumer goods, technology, banking, healthcare, and insurance.

Sesha possesses an innate ability to understand the myriad issues and challenges that organizations face in today’s world of constant change, disruption, and uncertainty. Passionate about empowering others with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to make an immediate impact, Sesha works with business professionals to achieve sustained, long-term results in their organizations.

As a seasoned leadership consultant and trainer with nearly two decades of business experience, Sesha specializes in equipping leaders with the knowledge, tools, and resources to foster inclusion and harness the potential of their teams. “Understanding real-world challenges from the human perspective is key to helping professionals accelerate their growth as leaders,” she says. Sesha is dedicated to helping leaders create workplaces where fairness, opportunity, and respect are paramount, ensuring that everyone’s talents can shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Inclusive Leadership Exchange program?

The Inclusive Leader Exchange is a mid-level manager initiative designed exclusively for people leaders within their organizations. This program serves as a platform for sharing ideas, tackling challenges, and presenting methodologies aimed at fostering inclusion within teams.

The Inclusive Leader Exchange unites the collective expertise of the region's most motivated and energized leaders, regardless of organizational scale or sector. Participants will collaborate to develop and implement strategies that create inclusive environments, drive engagement, and leverage diverse perspectives for better team performance.

How will it benefit you?

The program extends a range of benefits tailored to leaders who find themselves immersed in the ongoing and occasionally daunting endeavor of advancing inclusive initiatives:

Collective Wisdom and Support: Experience candid and confidential discussions and feedback sessions with seasoned peers drawn from the entire region.
Exchange of Best Practices: A proficient facilitator takes the reins of each session, guiding the group toward fortifying dedication, resilience, and overall effectiveness in their pursuits.
Cultivating a Cultural Shift: Acquire tools and inventive strategies for instilling and nurturing inclusive efforts, ensuring they thrive as a cornerstone of your organization's ethos.
Strategic Visioning: Collaborate with fellow leaders in your vicinity to magnify the impact of DEI endeavors within your organization.
Additional Benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts to Chamber events, participate in our Business Made Socials and, a 10% discount for our annual Holiday Party. These socials are a platform for networking with fellow program participants and fellow members. Receive additional benefits from dedicated promotion of the Inclusive Leader Exchange cohort on our extensive social media channels, and access a variety of other valuable advantages.

What makes this program different?

Exclusively available to Greater Rochester Chamber members, the Inclusive Leadership Exchange Program offers a confidential and professionally facilitated forum. This exclusive community gathers Inclusive professionals from diverse industries and backgrounds in monthly group sessions, fostering discussions on ideas, challenges, accomplishments, and avenues for growth.

Our seasoned facilitator tailors the program to empower diversity and inclusion leaders with the essential tools for sustained goal attainment, addressing specific obstacles inherent to their roles and responsibilities.

How is the program structured?

The Inclusive Leadership Exchange is designed for an intimate community of up to 16 participants, who will convene virtually on a monthly basis from January through December. These sessions, which exclude July and August, are slated for weekday mornings, spanning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Each group is meticulously curated for its attending leaders, and the customization is meticulously guided by the group facilitator, who tailors the experience to cater to specific needs.

What are the dates/times for the 2025 Inclusive Leadership Exchange program?

Participants will virtually meet monthly from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the following dates:

The zoom link will be added to each participant's calendar.

Who should join the Inclusive Leadership Exchange program?

The Inclusive Leader Exchange Program is designed for mid-level managers who play a crucial role in directing the efforts of their teams. Ideal participants are those responsible for the growth and development of their direct reports and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment.

As a middle manager, you are the bridge between senior leadership and front-line employees. You oversee daily operations, implement strategic initiatives, and ensure that your team meets its goals. Your responsibilities include mentoring and developing your team members, helping them to achieve their full potential.

The program is best suited for leaders motived to:

Lead with Empathy and Awareness: You understand the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. You recognize that diverse perspectives enhance creativity and innovation within your team.
Champion Inclusion and Belonging: You are dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring that no one is unintentionally left behind. You strive to create conditions where every team member can thrive.
Commit to Continuous Improvement: You are always looking for ways to improve your leadership skills and your team's dynamics. You seek out best practices and are eager to learn from experienced facilitators and peers.
Drive Engagement and Results: You leverage the diverse talents of your team to achieve outstanding results. You know that when everyone does well, the entire organization benefits.

If you are a middle manager passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing team environment, the Inclusive Leader Exchange Program is for you. Join us to enhance your leadership skills, share ideas, and develop strategies that will make a significant impact on your team and organization.

What is the program cost?

What if I am not a Greater Rochester Chamber member?

The Inclusive Leadership Exchange Program is tailor-made for Greater Rochester Chamber members. Should you be interested in becoming a part of this transformative experience, we invite you to connect with our Membership Director, Kevin Donahue, at Kevin.Donahue@GreaterRochesterChamber.com who will give detailed information regarding pricing, availability, and the myriad advantages that come with being a member, extending far beyond the realms of this program.

Meet the 2024 Inclusive Leadership Exchange Cohort

To learn more about Greater Rochester Chamber's Inclusive Leadership Exchange program contact the Director of Events, Training & Affiliates, Susan George.

Email Susan

Click register to apply for the 2025 Inclusive Leadership Exchange program.

Greater Rochester Chamber's Inclusive Leadership Exchange program is supported in part by the Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation.