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IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program

September 15th - 17th, 2026

IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program

IDDBA is excited to once again partner with the Wisconsin School of Business through the Center for Professional & Executive Development for the 2026 Leadership Program which is specifically tailored for mid-level leadership. With today’s ever-changing marketplace and competitive landscape, this program offers mid-level leaders a chance to engage with business leaders and experts throughout the interactive, in-person professional development seminar.

Registration is closed
university of wisconsin madison school of business center for professional & executive development logo

I had the opportunity to be a part of the initial class that completed the program and I highly endorse the experience…Comprehensive leadership information, professional instructors, and great opportunity to interact with industry peers.

John Gardner, Vice President Global Marketing

Testimonials

IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program
IDDBA Leadership Certificate - John Gardner
IDDBA Leadership Certificate - Patty McCormack
IDDBA Leadership Certificate - Summer Aday

2026 IDDBA Leadership Certificate Agenda

Mark your calendars! The 2026 IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program returns to Madison, Wisconsin, September 15–17, 2025. This year’s program offers exciting opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.

Schedule

  • Registration Deadline: September 8

  • Virtual Kick-off: August 25, 1-2 pm CST (Zoom)

  • Program: September 15-17, 8:00 am-4:30 pm CST

  • Evening networking activities

  • Post-Program Event: October 22, 1-2 pm CST

Tuition

  • IDDBA Members: $3295.00 per person

  • Non-Members: $4295.00 per person

  • Full scholarships available to retail members. Application coming soon!

Sessions held at the UW-Madison campus at the Fluno Center 

Lodging Information

Cancellation Policy

  • Program Cancellation: If the program is canceled for any reason, you will receive a full refund.

  • Attendee Cancellation: If you choose to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund minus a $49 administrative fee, but only if your seat is filled by another person. If your seat is not filled, you will forfeit the full tuition amount.

  • Transfer Policy: A paid tuition can be transferred to a colleague within the same company with company approval.

Business Analytics for Data-Driven Leadership with Cody Baldwin

Use analytics to turn data into valuable business insights. In this session, Cody Baldwin shares tools to demystify data for strategic decision making, including dashboards, predictive models, and AI. Learn to ask better business questions that allow your organization to gain clearer insights and make decisions more effectively.

Morning

Influence Without Direct Authority with Suzanne Sherry

In today’s collaborative workplaces, achieving goals often requires influencing others who don’t report to you. This half-day program, paired with eLearning pre-work, equips you with a six-part framework to build and apply influence effectively, even without formal authority. Through case studies and real-world scenarios, you’ll explore strategies to strengthen partnerships, craft compelling messages, and navigate with confidence. Learn how to assess stakeholders, foster collaboration, and drive outcomes while building trust and accountability.

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Afternoon

The Power of Inclusion: Leading in a Modern Era with Kate Schlesinger 


Success in today’s workplace requires leaders who embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Equip yourself with the tools to lead a diverse workforce and create a stronger, more inclusive organization. This session provides research-backed insights combined with interactive discussions and activities, to help participants build an inclusive culture that drives performance. Key takeaways include understanding core DEI concepts and the KIND framework for fostering inclusion, identify and address unconscious bias, generational differences, and microaggressions, learn strategies to lead and respond effectively to DEI challenges, and develop personal and team behaviors that enhance cultural competence and productivity.

Effective Negotiations with Roberto Munoz

Master the art of negotiation with tools and strategies to navigate even the most challenging situations. This interactive program combines role-playing, real-world scenarios, and peer discussions to sharpen your skills and build confidence at the negotiating table. Join is to enhance your negotiation techniques and achieve better outcomes.

--

4:00 End of program, graduation ceremony

Post Program Support and Follow-Up October 22, 2026 1-2 pm CST (Zoom)

To help ensure you can apply what you learned in the program, faculty member Roberto Munoz facilitates a 60-minute online discussion regarding the goals and application activities you developed during the online sessions. In this session, you will share your progress and obstacles and get input, feedback, and additional ideas on how to increase yours and your organization’s effectiveness.

Mark your calendars! The 2026 IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program returns to Madison, Wisconsin, September 15–17, 2025. This year’s program offers exciting opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.

Schedule

  • Registration Deadline: September 8

  • Virtual Kick-off: August 25, 1-2 pm CST (Zoom)

  • Program: September 15-17, 8:00 am-4:30 pm CST

  • Evening networking activities

  • Post-Program Event: October 22, 1-2 pm CST

Tuition

  • IDDBA Members: $3295.00 per person

  • Non-Members: $4295.00 per person

  • Full scholarships available to retail members. Application coming soon!

Sessions held at the UW-Madison campus at the Fluno Center 

Lodging Information

Cancellation Policy

  • Program Cancellation: If the program is canceled for any reason, you will receive a full refund.

  • Attendee Cancellation: If you choose to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund minus a $49 administrative fee, but only if your seat is filled by another person. If your seat is not filled, you will forfeit the full tuition amount.

  • Transfer Policy: A paid tuition can be transferred to a colleague within the same company with company approval.

Business Analytics for Data-Driven Leadership with Cody Baldwin

Use analytics to turn data into valuable business insights. In this session, Cody Baldwin shares tools to demystify data for strategic decision making, including dashboards, predictive models, and AI. Learn to ask better business questions that allow your organization to gain clearer insights and make decisions more effectively.

Morning

Influence Without Direct Authority with Suzanne Sherry

In today’s collaborative workplaces, achieving goals often requires influencing others who don’t report to you. This half-day program, paired with eLearning pre-work, equips you with a six-part framework to build and apply influence effectively, even without formal authority. Through case studies and real-world scenarios, you’ll explore strategies to strengthen partnerships, craft compelling messages, and navigate with confidence. Learn how to assess stakeholders, foster collaboration, and drive outcomes while building trust and accountability.

--

Afternoon

The Power of Inclusion: Leading in a Modern Era with Kate Schlesinger 


Success in today’s workplace requires leaders who embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Equip yourself with the tools to lead a diverse workforce and create a stronger, more inclusive organization. This session provides research-backed insights combined with interactive discussions and activities, to help participants build an inclusive culture that drives performance. Key takeaways include understanding core DEI concepts and the KIND framework for fostering inclusion, identify and address unconscious bias, generational differences, and microaggressions, learn strategies to lead and respond effectively to DEI challenges, and develop personal and team behaviors that enhance cultural competence and productivity.

Effective Negotiations with Roberto Munoz

Master the art of negotiation with tools and strategies to navigate even the most challenging situations. This interactive program combines role-playing, real-world scenarios, and peer discussions to sharpen your skills and build confidence at the negotiating table. Join is to enhance your negotiation techniques and achieve better outcomes.

--

4:00 End of program, graduation ceremony

Post Program Support and Follow-Up October 22, 2026 1-2 pm CST (Zoom)

To help ensure you can apply what you learned in the program, faculty member Roberto Munoz facilitates a 60-minute online discussion regarding the goals and application activities you developed during the online sessions. In this session, you will share your progress and obstacles and get input, feedback, and additional ideas on how to increase yours and your organization’s effectiveness.