Strategic Leadership Experience

The Strategic Leadership Experience is held in person on the campus of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, PA, and consists of three annual sessions.

For each session, participants arrive Monday evening at 4:15 p.m. for registration, program welcome, and dinner and depart Friday at 12:00 p.m. each year.

Program content is designed as a continuous learning experience, which includes multiple opportunities for collaboration with fellow participants, industry experts, and Wharton faculty. In between sessions, participants will work in Action Learning Teams (3-4 hours a year) and have the chance to participate in other engagement events.

Program tuition is $6,000 per session (total of $18,000), which includes all meals. Lodging, transportation, and off-site meal expenses are the responsibility of the participant. 

Approximately 180 leaders, representing nearly 60 companies of all sizes and lines of business have enrolled in the program. Representative titles have included:

• Second Vice President, Enterprise Insights
• Vice President, Legal
• Senior Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis
• Annuity National Sales/Distribution Leader
• Vice President, Claims
• Chief Customer Service Officer
• Senior Vice President, Product Development
• Assistant Vice President, Strategy, Communications, and Sustainability
• Vice President, Technology and Transformation

Participants who complete the 24-month experience will earn a LIMRA LOMA Wharton Certificate. This certificate recognizes their leadership, commitment to their professional development, and dedication to shaping the future of our industry.

This session is focused on grounding participants in current and future industry trends and current challenges in foundational areas.

Topics include:

• Enterprise Thinking
• Industry Forces of Change
• Operational Excellence and the Link with Financial Performance
• Leading High Performing Teams
• Growth and Marketing Strategies
• "Triple Bottom Line" Thinking

This session also incorporates:

• A leadership-in-action simulation, chosen to highlight current strategic challenges and leadership behaviors needed to be successful in the industry
• A C-Suite panel focused on how executives approach and model enterprise leadership
• Two informal networking events (including a “Night on the Town” to explore Philadelphia)

This session covers key strategic industry challenges and the development of integrated solutions.

Topics include:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Cultural Intelligence: Embracing Differences 
• Distribution Trends
• Financial Decision Making
• AI and Machine Learning
• Leading Digital Transformation

This session also incorporates:

• A leadership-in-action simulation, chosen to highlight current strategic challenges and leadership behaviors needed to be successful in the industry
• A C-Suite panel focused on how executives are leading technology and transformation
• Two informal networking events (including a “Night on the Town” to explore Philadelphia)

This session prepares participants to lead change as they transform their organizations and the industry.

Topics include:

• Strategic Thinking
• Focus on the Future — Doing Business in the 21st Century
• Designing Organizational Capabilities
• Scenario Planning
• Business Model Innovation — Leading Change 
• You and the Industry's New Reality

This session also incorporates:

• A leadership-in-action simulation, chosen to highlight the level of leadership and decision making needed to lead transformation
• A C-Suite panel focused on experiences in inspiring others, leading change, and lessons learned
• One informal networking events (a “Night on the Town” to explore Philadelphia)
• Graduation