Cohort Starts April 3, 2026 || Limited Seats (9 left)

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Cohort-Based Course

Rise The Leadership Accelerator

Amplify executive presence, Master leadership skills, Grow your influence

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RISE WITH PURPOSE

For diverse professionals ready to unlock their Authentic Leadership

Course Details

  • 16 Week Program

    1-Hour weekly virtual sessions every Friday @ 2-3pm EST, Starting April 3, 2026. Proven tools & frameworks, Coaching guidance. ~2–3 hrs/week including live + independent work.

  • For Mid-Career Professionals

    Designed for driven mid-career professionals (5+ years experience) looking to take their impact & influence to the next level. For both individual contributors and managers.

  • $3,000 USD

    This 16-week program, a "semester" of learning, will keep on giving again and again. Monthly installment option available.

Laura in Office

Starts April 3, 2026

Limited Seats (9 left)

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Leadership Skills Taught In This Course:

Take Your Leadership to the Next Level

This course is specifically designed for Diverse Professionals who are serious about stepping up to their next level. Achieve recognition as a leader and create massive impact, right now.

Maybe you've noticed... the system isn't made for Diverse Professionals.

When we try to use it, we find we need to:
- work harder than everyone else
- change who we are, so we 'fit' better
- rely on someone else to get an opportunity

What if I told you, there was another way to grow your leadership? One that doesn't require you to hide your differences? One that actually works, because you are authentically you?

Testimonials

See what others have to say

Before Rise, I was second-guessing myself. Through the program, I gained clarity on what I wanted and the confidence to say it out loud. I’m communicating my ideas more powerfully, leading conversations instead of sitting back, and influencing decisions in a way that feels authentic. I show up differently now — and people notice.

Laura Millan

R&D Sr Product Development Manager

In a short period of time, Leadership Accelerator accelerated my ability to tackle problems and show leadership not just by saying, but by doing. I’ve been invited to more meetings and asked to share my opinion on strategy. The confidence I’ve gained — and the visibility that’s followed — hasn’t been a coincidence.

Brandon Kim

Promotion Marketing Manager

It turned out the contents I learned in Rise were exactly related to the proposal I was working on at that time. I applied what I learned from the training, and prepared my proposal. Got approval from senior leaderships, and successfully hired a person to work on my idea. I would strongly recommend this training session.

Kejie Meng

Analytical Senior Scientist

Rise has been life changing. I felt stuck before, but through the program I’ve learned to distill complex ideas into three clear points and I confidently pushed forward my Foundations team proposal through to approval. It’s completely changed how I show up and what I believe is possible.

Jenn Martin

Engineering Manager

The course is packed with practical tools and resources grounded in brain science and logical thinking, making it easy to grasp and implement. I am incredibly grateful to Laura for her passion, unwavering support, and always challenging and encouraging me to keep growing!

Kazuyo Jones

Strategic Planning Manager

I tend to overthink and wait until things feel perfect. Rise helped me move from thinking to doing. I started communicating my ideas more clearly, taking action instead of waiting for permission, and showing up with more confidence. The shift in how I lead — and how others respond — has been noticeable.

Joseph Allen

Laboratory Supervisor

This experience was transformative! While I had an innovation, I had no roadmap or strategy for success when developing and introducing something new. Laura's precise models are on a giant post-it note on my wall and keep me focusing on who and what matters! Thank you, Laura, for guiding us in this tricky space; you make it doable!

Laurin Mooney

Entrepreneur and Author

Laura is exceptionally driven and focused, bringing a methodical yet results-oriented approach to her coaching. She skillfully tailors her guidance to amplify your strengths. I was truly impressed by her ability to uncover and hone in on your potential, often even before you realize it yourself.

Ginny Morton

Cybersecurity Advisor

What Rise really helped me do was step back and be more intentional instead of just reacting. I started thinking more strategically about how I show up and communicate. I’m clearer, more structured in my approach, and more confident influencing conversations at a higher level.

Dan Runzer

Sr Analytic & Insight Specialist

This course was a truly inspiring experience. Through the program, I developed new skills and strategies for identifying and actualizing ideas, ultimately leading to more effective mission fulfillment. This was made possible through the introduction of new tools and techniques aimed at uncovering one's mission and bringing it to fruition.

Amy Forbes-Larkin

Optician

You don't need a big title to be an innovative leader. It's about the mindset, desire to grow, and confidence in yourself. With a recurring cycle of picking up one idea and going through all the steps, you will be on the way all the time. This course helped me to do exactly this.

Yan Qiao

Global Payroll Specialist

Use Your Difference as Your Super Power

This "outside of the system" approach, uses Innovation principles at it's core.

Your unique experiences allow you to see things differently - sparking unique ideas and solutions to meet today's toughest challenges.

In this way, your difference becomes your competitive advantage. You are able to see things in a way no one else can. Your ideas are a natural, authentic way to bring out the best you at work!

Be the leader of your own ideas. Even if you don't have anyone reporting to you. Even if you don't have a budget. (Yet.)

Using this strategy:
- People will recognize your leadership ability
- Your confidence in your own leadership rises
- The impact you have around you rises
- Your excitement for your work rises

All without needing a new job or a new degree/certification.

Or... if you're looking for a job, this approach can help you land one.

Together, We Rise!

You bring your drive, passion & willingness to put in the work.

We bring the tools, frameworks & guidance to funnel your energy into massive impact.

Together, we build a community that holds each other accountable, celebrates our successes, and supports each other through the challenges.

This class is something you've never experienced before.

Applied neuroscience is infused into this course to activate intense learning, help you push through mental blocks, and spark innovative creativity...

This class is dynamic, exciting, and kindles professional connections that just may last you a lifetime.

You don't want to miss out on being a part of this!

Professionals have leveled up from these companies and more:

What to Expect in Rise

  • 1hr Live Session Every Friday

    Weeks 1-8: Learn process, tools & frameworks | Weeks 9-16: Use what you learn. Group coaching. Tackle your biggest barrier. Learn from others doing the same.

  • 1-2 Hours of Independent Work

    Unlike other courses, you're not waiting to use what you learn. You are taking action and making impact during the program, accelerating your leadership growth.

  • Safe Cohort Environment

    Learn from others across levels, functions and industries. Create meaningful connections that last well beyond this program. Fueled by respect, honesty & bravery.

Rise Week by Week

The course is designed to put your learning to work, immediately... so by the end of the 8 weeks, you are fully leading your own meaningful idea! Next, work through challenges and barriers you come across with 8 more week of weekly group Laser Coaching.

  • Week One: Your Leadership Strategy

    Find Your Idea. Lead with It.
    Leadership doesn’t start with a title or a style—it starts with an idea worth standing behind. Ideas are how leaders solve problems, create value, and make meaningful change. Your ideas emerge from a unique combination of your experiences, strengths, skills, passions, and values—and that individuality gives them power. Don’t have an idea yet? You’ll learn how to identify one worth pursuing. Have too many ideas? You’ll learn how to choose the one that matters most. By the end of this session, you’ll have a personalized leadership strategy you can use immediately.

  • Week Two: Communicate Your Idea

    Say It, So It Lands.
    One of the biggest challenges professionals face isn’t a lack of good ideas—it’s communicating them clearly and confidently. In this session, you’ll use Mindtap’s Solution Statement to refine, focus, and articulate a single idea while staying true to your voice and perspective. You’ll learn how to share your ideas in a way that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases your influence. By the end of the session, you’ll have the tools and confidence to speak up, make your ideas land, and influence others—without second-guessing yourself.

  • Week Three: Make Your Idea Powerful

    Think Like an Executive
    Research shows that 95% of new ideas don’t succeed. In this session, you’ll build the leadership skills needed to evaluate ideas with executive-level thinking. You’ll practice strategic thinking to hold the big picture and the details at once, use structured checklists to add rigor, and surface assumptions so you can test them rather than defend them. Using Mindtap’s 3 Idea Rings framework, you’ll strengthen your business judgment and refine your idea to ensure it is valuable, feasible, and sustainable.

  • Week Four: Find Your People

    Navigate Power and Politics
    Leadership isn’t just about having the right idea—it’s about bringing the right people with you. In this session, you’ll learn how decisions are actually made inside organizations and how to navigate the informal systems of influence beyond the org chart. You’ll build the leadership skills to identify who shapes outcomes, when to engage key stakeholders, and how to invest your relationship-building energy strategically. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to influence with clarity and integrity—and be seen as a trusted thought leader well beyond your direct working relationships.

  • Week Five: Get the Approval

    Make the Ask. Get the Yes.
    You don’t need full approval to begin—but you do need it to bring your idea to life. In this session, you’ll learn how to confidently ask for the budget, people, and support required to move from idea to impact. You’ll use a clear, effective pitch structure that decision-makers say yes to, while addressing the real barrier: the discomfort of asking for resources. By the end of the session, you won’t just have a pitch—you’ll show up as a leader who gets the approval to move forward.

  • Week Six: Make it Real

    Build. Test. Adjust.
    Turning an idea into reality requires action, not perfection. In this session, you’ll roll up your sleeves and begin building your idea—without a blueprint. You’ll learn proven innovation tools, including the C.T.A. Cycle and customer research methods, to be agile and iterate quickly. You’ll avoid the most common creation pitfalls and learn how to move forward when things don’t work the first time. By the end of the session, you’ll lead as an innovator—using creative problem-solving and design thinking to bring ideas to life.

  • Week Seven: Your Role As Leader

    The Work Behind the Work
    The work of leadership is often intangible—which can be hard to grasp. In this session, you’ll build the people-centered leadership skills required to inspire, motivate, and hold others accountable, especially when progress isn’t immediately visible. You’ll learn how to maintain excitement, trust, and commitment from stakeholders, even when things don't go as planned. By the end of the session, you’ll be creating sustained momentum through strong relationships, accountability, and clear communication.

  • Week Eight: Set for Success

    Keep Up the Momentum
    Knowing leadership concepts doesn’t create results, consistent action does. In this final session, you’ll learn how to create the discipline, systems, and personal accountability needed to sustain progress long after the program ends. We’ll zoom out to integrate everything you’ve learned, connecting everything into a cohesive approach to your leadership strategy. By the end of this session, you’ll have the structure and confidence to keep the momentum you created here—and continue making meaningful impact as an authentic leader.

What is Included?

• LIVE TRAINING (Weeks 1-8):
- Each class will be recorded and stored in your portal
- Ask your questions & learn from classmates

• LASER COACHING (Weeks 9-16):
- You have the chance for the "live seat" to be coached!
- Dive deeper into application of tools & strategies
- Keep up your momentum and stay accountable

• DARING DIFFERENT (Lifetime Access):
- Includes 70+ training videos full of innovation & leadership frameworks
- Refer to as a tool-kit when leading your next idea (after this one!)

• LEADERSHIP LOUNGE (Private LinkedIn Group):
- Connect to driven authentic leaders, all making a difference
- Celebrate milestones, ask questions, support each other
- Direct access to Coach Laura Flessner, beyond the program

Total investment: $3,000

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Your Coach Laura Flessner

Without even realizing it, I was once limited to thinking I needed to be on the “Leadership Team” to make any real impact in my company. My goal was to get there as fast as I could.

However... it took longer than I felt it should. Maybe it was because I was a woman in a technical field, or Asian. Or maybe because I was an introvert, who also looked really young. It's hard to pinpoint unconscious biases.

But then, 10 years into my career, I stumbled upon an idea. An idea I had a whole lot of passion behind. And through lots of trial and error over 5 years it took me to “make it real” – I learned that anyone, at any level, could lead.

I don’t want anyone to have to wait 15 years or longer to lead, when they can do it now. This is what Rise is all about. Empowering leadership within anyone who wants to make a difference, no matter your level, experience or role.

I'd been in corporate innovation for over 17 years, across various roles - engineer, product design, insights & founder. I’ve worked for top Global Consumer Product Goods (CPG) and Pharma companies, such as Procter & Gamble, Pfizer & GSK.

I've brought these leadership skills to diversity and inclusion programs, non-profits, and my church - even to building this very business, Mindtap! I've found that this process can be applied in just about any context, in any job role, and adds value every time.

This is the superpower you will learn after spending 16 weeks with me!

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Rise Testimonials

Your Next Level Starts Here

You’ve waited long enough to be recognized for your ideas.
You’ve done the work.

Now it’s time to be seen for it.

Rise starts April 3, 2026.
Your next level starts when you decide.

Join Rise - April 2026

This Is Where Your Next Level Begins

✔ Mid-career professionals ready to lead with more confidence ✔ High performers tired of being overlooked ✔ Leaders who want influence without changing who they are

  • 4 Monthly Installments of $825

    Total investment is less than the cost of one executive coaching month — and delivers 16 weeks of structured growth + coaching support. Immediate access to onboarding materials after enrollment.

    Start My Rise Journey
  • One-Time Installment of $3,000

    Best Value ⭐ Leaders move with clarity and commitment — and save $300 when they pay in full. Immediate access to onboarding materials after enrollment.

    Secure My Spot & Save $300
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Limited Seats

Only 10 seats total keeps this cohort intimate and high-impact (9 left)

Frequently Asked Questions

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