ELI Alumni Spotlight: Devon Goetze

Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) is a yearlong leadership development program offered in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. Through ELI, executives and senior managers learn how to lead more effectively in an ever-changing environment. The institute includes an in-person event, May 10-14, 2026, in Chicago; real-world projects that address a challenge at their organizations; mentorship; and more. 

Over the course of the program, leaders grow their knowledge and skills to effectively manage day-to-day operations and prepare for future challenges and changes. 

We are proud to spotlight the experience of ELI Alum: Devon Goetze, Director of Housing, Auberle.

Q&A With Devon

Tell us about your background. 

The first housing-related job I had was at a title and appraisal company that worked with Household and Beneficial loans before the mortgage collapse. I fell in love with the speed of the work and the puzzle of putting everything together. After the mortgage collapse, I ended up at my first nonprofit organization doing foreclosure work for individuals whose loans I had previously closed. That experience opened my eyes to a whole new field and deepened my passion for housing.

I went back to school and earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business with a nonprofit focus. Two years ago, I completed my doctorate in business. I first learned about ELI through my organization and saw it as an opportunity to continue growing as a leader.

Can you tell us about your ELI project? 

My ELI project focused on increasing our marketing and communications efforts while also celebrating the work of our agency departments. As a result, our teams feel more recognized and valued, and we are sharing more impactful information through our social media channels. We have also experienced an increase in social media engagement and interactions.

What is something you learned at ELI that still sticks with you? 

One of the biggest things I learned through ELI was how to use artificial intelligence more effectively. AI was a topic throughout many of our sessions, and I was initially hesitant to trust it. Through the program, I learned more about its practical applications and now use it regularly in my work. 

How did the institute impact you as a leader? 

The institute helped me gain valuable skills in an area where I was not particularly strong. It pushed me to explore new tools and approaches, especially around technology and innovation, and gave me more confidence in applying them to my leadership role.

What advice would you give to someone considering ELI? 

Be open and absorb all you can. Take the tools and resources you gain through the program back to your organization and use them. Also, do not wait to start your project and do not feel overwhelmed by it. The experience is worth the investment.

What advice would you give to a new student before beginning the institute? 

Come in with an open mind and trust the process. It may seem daunting to complete a project while participating in the program, but the project is really an opportunity to be accountable for something that likely needs to be done anyway.

How has participating in ELI helped you to advance your career? 

I was able to bring the resilience coursework back to my team and share concrete materials that helped support them through potential burnout. The project itself also challenged me to work in an area where I was less experienced, allowing me to experiment with new skills and remain accountable for completing meaningful organizational work.

Learn more about ELI online and sign up to be notified when registration opens.