For more than 20 years, participants of the National Grocers Association Foundation’s Executive Leadership Development Program have said the same thing: ELDP changes how they lead.
WHAT: Four days of intensive, interactive instruction from Cornell University’s faculty and grocery industry leaders, plus opportunities to network with executives, founders, and rising stars from across the nation. Sponsored by PepsiCo.
WHO:
Rising executives at NGA retailer and wholesaler member companies, from store managers to HR directors. We accept about 30 to 40 participants per cohort.
WHEN:
June 6-10, 2027. Pre-work assessments and the virtual kickoff begin several weeks ahead.
WHERE:
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. On-campus lodging is included.
COST:
$3,750 per person, including lodging, meals, and class materials. Scholarships available.
Four days that stick. A different way to lead for the rest of your career.
Three One-of-a-Kind Takeaways
An honest picture of your leadership style
Before you arrive, your colleagues complete a confidential, 360-degree assessment that considers 16 competencies critical to executive success. Then, at ELDP, you meet 1:1 with a coach who helps you make sense of it. Most participants describe this as the first time anyone told them the truth.
Peers who truly understand your business
Spending four days alongside rising leaders from independent grocers and wholesalers of every size, you’ll connect with people working through the same problems you are. When the program wraps up on Thursday, the relationships continue to grow and evolve.
A plan you’ll still be using next year
You leave with a written Personal Leadership Development Plan that details your strengths, your blind spots, and the specific things you’ll do differently the Monday you get back. Alumni often tell us that it’s a resource they come back to, year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ELDP is reserved for employees of retailer and wholesaler members of NGA. If you are not sure whether your company is a member, contact us, and we will check. Associate members should consider the NGA Leadership Institute.
Payment
Program cost is $3,750 per person. Cost includes lodging, breakfast, lunch, most dinners, class materials, and 4 days of premier leadership programming.
Scholarships
Scholarships, if awarded, cover program and travel costs for the participant. Travel costs are reimbursed at the end of the program.
To be considered for a scholarship the candidate must meet the scholarship requirements below and apply for one or both of the scholarships by March 31, 2026. The application should summarize how the candidate has shown themselves to be a high-impact performer in your organization, how they have shown to be committed to inclusive leadership, and the the impact this training could have on their trajectory for your business and/or the industry.
ELDP is built for rising executives on track for greater responsibility. If you are managing large teams, leading a function, or on the path to something bigger, you are an ideal candidate. Past participants have held titles like: Store Manager, Store Director, Assistant Store Manager, District Manager, District Director, Regional Manager or Director, Category Manager, Buyer, Assistant Director of Retail Operations, and Director-level positions in HR, Finance, IT, Marketing, Operations, Perishables, or Private Brands.
There is no nomination form; share this page with your team member and suggest that they register. It’s one of the clearest ways to show a high-potential leader that you’re investing in their future.
Registration for ELDP closes April 30, 2027. You’ll receive a full refund less a $50 processing fee by or before April 2. After that, all sales are final.
Sponsored By
Facilitated By
The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is a program of the NGA Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Grocers Association, a trusted catalyst for a thriving independent grocery industry. Through ELDP and other NGA Foundation programs, we cultivate talent, so the businesses at the heart of our communities are still thriving, and still independent, for generations to come.