Share your email to receive updates about the 2026 Executive Leadership Institute.

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. It equips senior-level managers and executives in human and social services with knowledge and skills around change leadership, organizational excellence, and emerging trends so that they can lead into the future.

Diverse Teaching Methods
Participants learn, apply concepts, and network with one another during a weeklong in-person event and full year of online learning. They engage through interactive presentations, small-group discussions, case study analysis, and more. To reinforce the learning, participants complete self-designed projects that addresses an organizational challenge. Throughout the year, as they prepare and implement their projects, participants receive technical assistance, coaching, and peer support.

Cross-Sector Instructors
ELI assembles a wide variety of faculty from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, as well as academia. Social Current’s partnership with Quinlan means access to first-class faculty and specialized expertise, as well as the flexibility to create a program to transform participants’ leadership skills. The curriculum will not only challenge, but offers a rare opportunity to focus on excellence, impact, and systems change.

Mentoring
An additional benefit of the program is that leaders receive mentoring from ELI alumni. Mentors and mentees are matched according to personal and professional leadership attributes. Hundreds of human and social services leaders have graduated from the institute and they continue to engage through alumni opportunities.

Loyola University Partnership

Quinlan

Social Current’s partnership with Loyola University Chicago allows access to world-class faculty and the academic rigor of a top-rated national university. Social Current and Loyola co-create the program for the in-person institute and half of the instruction is provided by their faculty.

The Executive Leadership Institute takes an interdisciplinary approach to human and social services leadership, engaging faculty from Quinlan and Loyola’s School of Social Work. U.S. News & World Report nationally ranks Loyola’s online bachelor’s business program #8 and undergraduate business program #94. Its social work program is ranked #28.

Lead Program Developers

Robena Spangler

Senior Director of Leadership and Organizational Development
Social Current

Kayla Gustafson

Program Manager
Executive and Professional
Education Center
Loyola University Chicago

Location

The Executive Leadership Institute’s in-person event takes place on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus.

Quinlan School of Business
Loyola University Chicago

820 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago IL, 60611


Request More Information