Leadership development program seeks applications for NWA, Little Rock cohorts

Insight Leadership Group, a Fayetteville-based leadership development, executive coaching and management training company, is accepting applications for the 2026 Insight Executive Leadership Academy.

Cohorts will be hosted in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock starting in early 2026.

The academy is a four-session training and coaching program that’s expected to help leaders to lead “with clarity, empathy and impact,” according to a news release. Space is limited, and applications can be submitted online. The cost is $5,000 per participant.

The academy has graduated 169 leaders from organizations across Arkansas, including Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Delta Dental of Arkansas, Lexicon Inc., Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, Sage Partners, and Zweig Group.

“The Insight Executive Leadership Academy is built for leaders who want to stay healthy and effective over the long haul,” said Michael Brown, founder of Insight Leadership Group and lead facilitator. “We combine practical tools, executive-level coaching and honest conversation so participants can lead with purpose at work and at home.”

Each cohort participates in four half-day group sessions, two virtual roundtable sessions and four one-on-one executive coaching sessions. The sessions focus on helping leaders “root themselves in a clear sense of purpose, align vision and priorities, lead change with resilience, and cultivate relationship intelligence that leaves a lasting legacy,” the release noted. Participants complete an SDI 2.0 strengths profile and other assessments, and apply the assessment information through a personal leadership development plan.

According to the release, leaders who’ve participated in the academy said its mix of structure and support has served “as a catalyst for long-term growth.” Participants also said it’s an opportunity “to step away from daily demands, compare notes with peers, and return to their teams with renewed clarity about what matters most.”

“This program was really impactful for me,” said Will Swearingen, vice president at Zweig Group and a 2025 academy graduate. “After a very difficult and exhausting 24-month stretch, in my work and personal life, this program gave me so much to look forward to. Working through a process to develop a rooted purpose, from which all interactions are filtered, was strangely impactful. Leadership requires steadiness and focus on the non-negotiables in life. This is a different kind of training and coaching. It’s one I would encourage anyone who is looking to grow both personally and professionally to invest in.”

Academy participants also have the chance to interact with executive speakers, build relationships with peers, and practice tools they can use with their colleagues. The program is designed for senior leaders who want “to grow their impact while staying grounded in the values that matter most,” the release shows.

Past speakers have included John Furner, incoming Walmart CEO; Shelley Simpson, J.B. Hunt CEO; Johnny Allison, Centennial Bank chairman and co-founder; Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children’s CEO; and Marshall Saviers, president of Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners.

Ted Clouser, president of PC Assistance Inc. and a 2018 academy graduate, said the experience exceeded expectations.

“The content, presenters, networking, self-assessment, and overall quality of the Executive Leadership Academy was incredible,” Clouser said. “Arkansas is better off because of this academy.”

The academy cohorts take place on the following dates in 2026. For the Northwest Arkansas cohort, it’s March 6, May 1, Aug. 28 and Oct. 16. For the Little Rock cohort, it’s Feb. 20, April 10, Aug. 7 and Nov. 13.