Key Executive Leadership Programs

Key Executive MPA Virtual info session with Key Program Director Patrick Malone, PhD: ?? March 4 at 4pm Why participate? ? 25% tuition discount for gov/non-profit employees ? Executive Coaching & LCP 360 ? 20-month schedule with summers off ? No GRE required ?? https://lnkd.in/eisgKFqj Questions? Contact Dr. Patrick Malone at [email protected] School of Public Affairs, American University

Leadership often feels like improv—you’re on stage, unsure of what’s next. Nancy House learned this firsthand in college theater: being present matters more than just knowing your part. The Stanislavski System—a groundbreaking approach to acting that emphasizes emotional truth, deep character study, and realism on stage—surprisingly applies to leadership: ? Relaxation – Tension blocks focus, loosen up to think clearly. ? Attention – Distractions are everywhere, train your mind to stay present. ? Empathy – Ask “What if I were in their shoes?” to navigate tough conversations. Read more in our blog below!

What can a 1,000-pound horse teach us about leadership? More than you might expect. Earlier this month our amazing Key faculty member and executive coach Angela Chiarenza took a group of American University students beyond the classroom and into the arena for a horse-partnered leadership development program. Here’s how students put leadership theory into practice in this safe sandbox environment: ? The Power of Congruence A horse senses inconsistency. If you’re nervous but trying to appear confident, they’ll move away. Teams react the same way. Authenticity builds trust, while incongruence creates distance. ? Giving & Receiving Feedback Students shared neutral, specific observations like, “I noticed when your shoulders shifted, the horse reacted.” Unlike traditional workplace feedback, this approach fosters growth rather than defensiveness. ? Leading Without Force Using rope halters with no tension, students learned that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection. When a leader is clear and present, others naturally follow. ? Shared Leadership in Action Like successful teams, horse herds rely on multiple leaders, adapting as needed. Students practiced leading from the front, sides, and behind—each position requiring a different approach. Being fully present with these animals has had a transformative impact that’s difficult to quantify. Chiarenza shared that working with horses creates a greater and faster impact than similar leadership exercises conducted in a classroom setting. Helping leaders have the tools to navigate through tough times like layoffs or interorganizational conflict. Read more about Angela's work with horses here: https://lnkd.in/ecKP8QS6 School of Public Affairs, American University #KeyExecutiveLeadership #WorkforceDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #CoachingAndMentoring #LeadershipTraining

Less Than 2 Weeks to Go! The 2025 Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference is just around the corner! Join us on March 12, at American University Washington College of Law to engage with extraordinary leaders, thought-provoking discussions, and actionable strategies to elevate your leadership in today’s complex environment. Kick off the day with our Keynote speakers! ?Laura Schwartz – Renowned Emcee & Keynote Speaker, opening our conference, and closing the event with an unforgettable session on influence and leadership presence. ? Hamza Khan – Future of Work expert, opening the conference with a powerful keynote on rehumanizing the workplace for sustainable success. With a full day of dynamic breakout sessions, networking activities, and the prestigious Roger W. Jones Award Ceremony Luncheon, this is your opportunity to learn to lead with integrity, skill, and fierce resolve. ?? https://lnkd.in/e_cPQgtV School of Public Affairs, American University #KeyExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipConference #FutureOfWork #ExecutiveLeadership #KeyExecutive

Can Consensus Building Still Work? These Experts Say Yes! Join us next month on March 12th at the 2025 Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference “50 Years of Service: Returning to our Leadership Roots for “Consensus in Complex Times: Uniting Teams for Lasting Public Service Impact”, featuring Keith Stern and Liz Johnson, and Amy Dacey, Executive Director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University. Meet the speakers: Keith Stern | Principal at Cornerstone With over 25 years on Capitol Hill, Keith has been at the heart of historic legislation, including the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As Senior Advisor to House Democratic Leadership, he built coalitions and navigated complex policy negotiations to turn ideas into action. Elizabeth Johnson | Institute of Politics Pritzker Fellow Former Chief of Staff to Senator Mitt Romney, Liz has shaped key national policy decisions and steered high-profile legislative strategies. She’s a seasoned communicator, leading messaging for Justice Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court confirmation and directing public affairs for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kelly Dixon Chambers | Shein Government Affairs With 25 years of Capitol Hill experience, Kelly Dixon Chambers is an expert in legislative strategy and House floor operations. As Staff Director for the House Rules Committee, she ensures major legislation is shaped and refined before reaching the House floor. Having worked in floor and legislative operations for Speaker Kevin McCarthy, she brings deep institutional knowledge and a keen ability to align policy with political priorities. ?Meet the moderator: Amy K. Dacey | Sine Institute, American University Amy Dacey is the Executive Director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University, bringing over two decades of experience in national politics, advocacy, and strategic leadership. She has advised top elected officials, including President Barack Obama and Senator John Kerry, and previously served as CEO of the Democratic National Committee. A former Executive Director of EMILY’s List, she has led major political organizations, nonprofit initiatives, and strategic communications efforts, shaping national policy and leadership development. Why Attend? ?? Learn strategies for building consensus ?? Learn how major legislative negotiations happen ?? Learn how to lead with principle and pragmatism This is your chance to hear from insiders who’ve built coalitions and shaped policies at the highest levels! https://lnkd.in/e_cPQgtV School of Public Affairs, American University #KeyExecutiveLeadership #BipartisanLeadership #GovernmentAffairs #WorkforceDevelopment

Happy Valentine’s Day from Key! We hope this Valentine's Day your leadership starts in the heart, with integrity, skill, and fierce resolve, you inspire change and make a difference. ?? #ValentinesDay #KeyLeadership #LeadingWithHeart School of Public Affairs, American University

Don’t Miss Out! The Key Conference is right around the corner, and tickets are going fast! ?? When: March 12, 2025 ?? Where: American University Washington College of Law ?? Must-See Sessions & Speakers: Kristy Daphnis & Kelly L. DeGraff: Driving Complex Change: Learn to align priorities, measure impact, and institutionalize best practices while enhancing leadership competencies. ?? Secure Your Spot Now: https://lnkd.in/e_cPQgtV #KeyLeadership2025 #FederalLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PublicServiceLeadership #ExecutiveTraining School of Public Affairs, American University proud!

We had a great time learning with our friends and colleagues at Senior Executives Association's Leadership Summit: The Journey of Leadership. The snow didn't stop our resilient and impactful civil servants. Thank you to all the sponsors that made this possible! School of Public Affairs, American University

The DNA of Learning: Creating Adaptive and Innovative Organizations What drives organizational success? At Key, we believe it’s extraordinary leadership built on a learning mindset and the ability to see failure as an opportunity for growth. We're sharing insights from Brad Staats (associate dean at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School) breakout session at the Senior Executives Association Leadership Summit today to highlight how these principles below form the foundation for adaptive and innovative organizations. 1?? Destigmatizing Failure: Create a culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn, supported by psychological safety and tools like pre-mortems that anticipate potential challenges. 2?? Data is the Great Equalizer: Use data to shift the narrative from blame to understanding, enabling transparent conversations that focus on process improvement. 3?? Curiosity Over Solutions: Encourage leaders to ask thoughtful questions and foster curiosity, recognizing that inquiry often leads to deeper insights and better outcomes than rushing to answers. At Key, these principles reflect our core values of acting with integrity, leading authentically, and empowering others to take meaningful action. We challenge leaders to cultivate environments of trust and collaboration where innovation flourishes, transparency is modeled, and lessons from failure become catalysts for growth. By fostering these qualities, leaders not only inspire those they serve but also create the conditions necessary for lasting organizational success. As Satya Nadella reminds us, “The learn-it-all will always do better than the know-it-all.”

At today’s 2025 Leadership Summit, the panel on “The State of Leadership: Exploring Today’s Public Service Leadership Landscape” brought together incredible leaders to share their insights into navigating the complexities of modern public service. The discussion featured Marcus L. Hill President of the Senior Executives Association; Amanda Wellborne, Manager of Federal Sales Talent Development Solutions at Cornerstone OnDemand; and Jenny Mattingley, Director of Government Affairs at the Partnership for Public Service, with Lauren Anstey, Director of the Public Service Leadership Institute, moderating the conversation. Here’s what aligned with our values at Key: Integrity in Action: Leadership requires a steadfast commitment to values. Panelists emphasized the importance of leaders understanding what they can control, influence, or release—and staying true to their mission even in uncertain times. Skillful Strategy: Effective leadership isn’t just about acting quickly; it’s about taking a step back, thinking intentionally, and using the right tools and people to meet challenges head-on. Technology, for example, is a key asset—not something leaders must master, but something they must strategically integrate. Fierce Resolve: Resilience and self-care are essential. Leaders must prioritize their own well-being to stay focused and guide their teams through rapid change. Adaptability, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose are the bedrock of leading with resolve in today’s fast-paced, evolving landscape. What does leadership with integrity, skill, and fierce resolve look like in your work? Share your thoughts below! #KeyExcutiveLeadership