EXCEL Leadership Certificate Program

Overview

Leadership is more than managing people. It's about leading an entire community.

LeadingAge California's EXCEL Leadership Certificate Program is an intensive, three-day experience designed to prepare rising leaders for the challenges and responsibilities of managing and leading an aging services community.

Through practical learning, interactive discussions, and insights from experienced industry executives, participants will strengthen their understanding of community operations, organizational leadership, and effective decision-making.

Whether you're preparing for your next management role or aspiring to become an executive director or community administrator, EXCEL will help you take that next step with confidence.

Immersive Learning

Three days of interactive leadership development and collaboration.

Real-World Application

Apply new skills through a 90-day workplace project.

Leadership Certificate

Earn recognition for completing the program and demonstrating growth.

Who Should Attend?

EXCEL is designed for professionals who are ready to move beyond their current responsibilities and prepare for broader leadership roles within aging services.

Ideal candidates include:

Department managers and directors seeking greater operational and organizational responsibility.
Emerging administrators and aspiring executive directors.
Professionals identified as future community leaders or successors.
Current managers looking to strengthen their leadership and business management skills.
EMERGE alumni ready to continue their professional development and advance toward community leadership.

If you see yourself managing or leading an aging services community, EXCEL was designed with you in mind.

Prerequisites and Eligibility

EXCEL is intended for professionals who demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to aging services, and an interest in advancing into management or community leadership.

Applicants should have professional experience in aging services or a related field and be prepared to actively participate in an intensive learning environment.

Completion of EMERGE is not required. EMERGE alumni are encouraged to apply, as EXCEL offers a distinct curriculum focused on management, operations, and organizational leadership.

Learning Outcomes & Curriculum

By the end of EXCEL, participants will be better equipped to:

Lead People and Teams: Strengthen communication, accountability, decision-making, and team management skills.
Understand Community Operations: Gain a broader perspective on the interconnected departments, services, and responsibilities involved in operating a community.
Think Strategically: Develop the ability to evaluate challenges, establish priorities, and make decisions that support organizational success.
Navigate Financial and Operational Responsibilities: Build foundational awareness of budgeting, resource management, and operational performance.
Manage Change and Challenges: Develop practical approaches to problem-solving, organizational change, and complex leadership situations.
Prepare for Greater Leadership: Build the confidence, perspective, and professional readiness to pursue expanded management and executive responsibilities.

EXCEL connects essential management principles with the everyday realities of operating an aging services community. Through interactive learning, practical exercises, and discussions with experienced industry executives, participants will explore what it takes to lead teams, manage operations, and make informed organizational decisions.

Pre-Program Learning

Participants complete self-paced introductory materials and select a specialty learning track aligned with their professional focus:

CCRC / Life Plan Communities
Affordable Housing
Assisted Living / Memory Care
Skilled Nursing

These introductory modules provide sector-specific context and prepare participants for collaborative discussions and hands-on learning.

Day 1: Leadership, Governance & Collaboration

Build a strong foundation in effective leadership, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making. Participants will explore leadership styles, organizational culture, governance, and ethical responsibilities while collaborating on real-world case studies with professionals from different care and service settings.

Day 2: Finance, Workforce & Innovation

Develop the financial and operational knowledge needed to lead successful organizations. Sessions explore financial statements, budgeting, workforce development, employee engagement, and emerging technologies and trends shaping the future of older adult services.

Day 3: Marketing, Strategy & Action

Explore the role of marketing, sales, and philanthropy in organizational growth and sustainability. Participants will then put their learning into practice by developing a 90-day project focused on addressing a meaningful challenge within their organizations.

Beyond the Classroom: Putting Leadership into Action

Following the in-person program, participants will implement their 90-day workplace projects, applying new knowledge and strategies to create measurable improvements.

Participants will reconvene in Sacramento in conjunction with the 2027 RISE Policy Summit to share project outcomes, explore effective advocacy, and celebrate their accomplishments at a certificate recognition ceremony.

Program Details

DEC

2–4

December 2–4, 2026

Long Beach Marriott | Long Beach, CA

The inaugural EXCEL Leadership Certificate Program brings together a select group of emerging leaders for three days of immersive learning, peer collaboration, and practical leadership development.

Continuing Education

EXCEL will offer continuing education credits for eligible participants through the following disciplines:

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)
Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)
California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)

Additional details regarding credit hours and completion requirements will be provided as they become available.

Meet Your Facilitator

Matthew Neeley

With more than 25 years of experience leading organizations that serve older adults, Matthew Neeley brings extensive expertise in healthcare administration, organizational leadership, and professional development to EXCEL.

Matthew also facilitates LeadingAge California's EMERGE Leadership Program and teaches graduate-level Gerontology courses at the University of La Verne. He holds an MBA and a Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) from Arizona State University.

Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and real-world insights, Matthew will help EXCEL participants develop the skills and confidence to take on greater leadership responsibilities.

Registration

Take the next step in your leadership journey with EXCEL. Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural cohort.

Program Fees

LeadingAge California Members: $1,899
Non-Members: $2,899

Program fees are due upon acceptance.

Application & Selection Timeline

Applications Open	October 14, 2026
Application Deadline	November 13, 2026
Applicants Notified	November 18, 2026
Deadline to Confirm Participation	November 20, 2026
Pre-Program Materials Available	November 23, 2026
EXCEL Leadership Certificate Program	December 2–4, 2026

Ready to EXCEL?

Your next leadership opportunity starts here. Apply to join a select group of emerging leaders committed to strengthening their skills, expanding their perspectives, and making a lasting impact within their organizations.

Apply Now