The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute offers an integrated series of professional development institutes that develop critical skills at the supervisory, management, senior leadership, and local levels. We offer competency-based curricula utilizing proven practices delivered by engaging, highly experienced professionals. These training and education solutions build the capacity of individuals, teams, and organizations.
Professional Development to Meet Your Needs
GEHLI uses existing models and custom-designed programs and services to create training designed to meet clients' and individuals' needs. We offer various assessments that individuals and organizations can use to create productive teams and improve their work-life environment. Each development program is highly interactive and features peer-to-peer learning, networking opportunities, and action plan development to foster sustainable personal and organizational improvement.
Topics and Services Offered
- Leadership assessments such as 360o feedback, MBTI, DISC, EQ-i, StrengthFinders and Change Style Indicator, FourSight, etc.
- Leadership practices, styles, and/or development
- Organizational development and culture
- Navigating and resolving conflict
- Change management
- Recruitment, retention, succession planning, and/or navigating personnel matters
- Coaching, feedback, and/or mentoring
- Performance management
- Delegation
- Emotional intelligence
- Strategic planning
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and/or decision making
- Ethical leadership
- Fostering innovation
- Effective communication skills
- Difficult conversations
- Developing inclusive environments
- Navigating generational differences
- Building effective teams
- Collaborative Leadership
- Public speaking
- Time management, work-life balance, and/or self-care
- Leading with Grace
- And more!
Along with our standard training opportunities, consultation, planning, and facilitation services are available for organizations interested in short- and long-term training with our custom programs option.
Download GEHLI Programs at a glance (PDF)
| FFS | ESI | SMB | CMI | VEI | HG | MPLI | VCUL | LUEP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Fundamentals for Supervisors | Experienced Supervisors Institute | Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp | Commonwealth Management Institute | Virginia Executive Institute |
HIGHER Ground Leadership Development |
Minority Political Leadership Institute | VCU Leadership Development Program | Land Use Education Program |
| Focus | Supervising others | Building and managing teams | Managing one's performance while developing others | Developing one’s self-leadership to better lead others |
Developing executive leadership skills | Develop the skills and methods women employ | Community economics, political climate, civic engagement, and racial equity. | VCU’s structure and address current issues | Informs land use principles and decisions |
| Program Length | 3 days | 3 days | 5 days | 5 days | 10 days | 5 months | 8 months | 9 months | 10 weeks |
| Audience | New or aspiring supervisors or team leaders | Experienced managers, supervisors, and project leaders | New or experienced supervisors, managers, or project managers | Managers | Executives and leaders | women leaders and other supporters of women’s leadership | Individuals interested in minority communities | VCU and VCU Health employees | Planning commissioners, BZA members, professional planners, etc. |
| Location | Richmond | Richmond | Richmond | Staunton or Harrisonburg |
Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Richmond |
Richmond | Richmond, Farmville, DC, Norfolk | Richmond | Richmond |
| Cost | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,950 | $2,100 | $4,200 | $2,250 | $2,150 | $3,500 |
CPC $750 |
Digital Badging at GEHLI
At the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI), we’re committed to helping professionals strengthen their leadership and communicate their achievements with credibility and confidence. To make your credentials more visible in today’s digital world, GEHLI partners with Credly to issue digital badges — verified, web-enabled credentials that represent the skills, competencies, and knowledge you gain through our programs. Your badge tells your story: it’s backed by data verifying what you accomplished, how you earned it, and why it matters.
What Is a Digital Badge?
A digital badge is an online representation of your learning achievement. Each badge includes verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them.
You can easily share your badge in your:
- Email signature or digital résumé
- LinkedIn, Facebook, or X (Twitter) profile
- Personal website or portfolio
Learn more about digital badging at VCU →
Benefits of Digital Badging
- A verified, shareable record of your professional development
- A visual, web-enabled credential you can add to your professional profiles
- Access to labor market insights connecting your skills to top occupations
- For employers, it’s a trusted, real-time way to verify training and competencies
GEHLI Digital Badges
Earn a digital badge when you complete one of GEHLI’s leadership programs. Each badge links to verified details on Credly and the corresponding training program.
VEI Badge
Virginia Executive Institute (VEI)
Earners are part of a dynamic network of state executives developing leadership vision, strategic insight, and the ability to drive meaningful change in Virginia government.
CMI Badge
Commonwealth Management Institute (CMI)
Description: For experienced Virginia state managers who want to strengthen strategic leadership, innovation, and change management skills.
SMB Badge
Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp (SMB)
Description: For new or experienced supervisors, managers, and project managers. Earners develop the skills to lead teams, delegate effectively, coach for success, and manage change with confidence.
ESI Badge
Experienced Supervisors Institute (ESI)
Description: For seasoned supervisors ready to grow from management to leadership. Participants refine advanced supervisory techniques and practice reflective leadership.
FFS Badge
Fundamentals for Supervisors (FFS)
Description: Designed for those new to supervision or leading teams. Earners gain essential skills in feedback, team-building, performance management, and employee retention.
VCUL Badge
VCU Leadership Development Program (VCUL)
Description: Earners deepen their understanding of transformational leadership, strengthen their network, and build capacity to inspire and lead across the university and beyond.
MPLI Badge
Minority Political Leadership Institute (MPLI)
Description: Promotes leadership and policy influence in issues important to minority communities, with a focus on social equity, consensus building, and transformational change.
CPC-LUEP Badge
Certified Planning Commissioners’ Program (CPC-LUEP)
Description: Provides citizen-planners with a foundation in planning law, history, and technical expertise to make informed, legally defensible decisions.
BZA-LUEP Badge
Board of Zoning Appeals Program (BZA-LUEP)
Description: Offers a comprehensive overview of zoning in Virginia, focusing on the legal foundations, decision-making principles, and responsibilities of BZA members.
How to Earn & Claim Your Badge
How to Earn & Claim Your Badge
- Register for the training program associated with the badge.
- Complete the program requirements (assignments, assessments, and participation).
- Once eligible, you’ll receive an email from Credly to claim your badge.
- Accept your badge — it will appear in your Credly “badge wallet.”
- Share your badge online to highlight your achievement!
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Professional Development & More
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