There is another way.

transforming leadership

You feel it, right?

We’re navigating an immense amount of change—culturally, politically, socially, ecologically, economically. 

Traditional leadership? It wasn’t built for this moment. 

We need people who can imagine new possibilities, navigate complexity with compassion, and create with long-term sustainability in mind. We believe the future for our organizations and communities depends on it. 

Are you ready to step into the kind of leadership this moment demands?

This is a program designed specifically for people that want to be transformational leaders.

Does this sound like you?

  • Ready to think beyond the status quo and imagine bold, new possibilities.

  • Want to confidently navigate complexity and build stronger, more collaborative relationships.

  • Understand the power of trust, shared power and purpose in creating thriving, sustainable teams and need to develop the skills to live into it.

  • Eager to learn communication strategies to address challenges with clarity, creativity, and compassion.

  • Self-aware and committed to creating a more just and equitable world. 

You might be managing a team, leading an ERG or DEI initiative, driving union efforts, or guiding cross-functional projects. Maybe you're a trusted advisor shaping culture and strategy.

Whatever your role, you want to lead with purpose, build stronger relationships, and create meaningful change.

Transforming Leadership is a six-month, cohort-based professional development experience designed to help you:

  • Lead with purpose and confidence by building the skills to navigate complex challenges, lead through uncertainty, and ddd

  • Understand power on a deeper level—both systemic and personal—and use that knowledge to build meaningful, lasting relationships and cohesive teams.

  • Enhance your communication skills to lead diverse teams with clarity, give and receive feedback constructively, and overcome resistance 

  • Navigate conflict with clarity and compassion, turning tough conversations into opportunities for deeper connection and understanding

  • Deepen self-awareness and use your imagination as a tool to break free of ‘business as usual’ and build a career that will nourish and energize you.

Through our application process, we ensure the cohort is a dynamic mix of professionals with the right blend of experience, perspectives, and readiness to learn together.

Not sure if this program is the right fit? Complete the form below or reach out to us directly—we’d love to help you decide!

Proven Partners, Proven Methodology

Between the two of us, (Desiree Adaway and Jessica Fish –our full bios below) we bring 50 years of experience in coaching, training, research and facilitation. We have trained over 60,000 people and have been trusted partners with organizations from small non-profits and associations to large philanthropies, global tech orgs and finance companies.

What we care about most is creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and capable of leading in ways they never thought possible. Through Transforming Leadership, we’ve guided conversations that spark transformation and helped people and teams build collective power.

We first piloted this program at a big tech company, we saw how much this curriculum and container could change people’s lives while making a big impact on teams. Since then, we’ve honed the program, and now for the first time, we’re opening it up to the public.

Let’s reimagine what leadership can look like, together.

How it works:

  • Kickoff workshop: We’ll start strong with a 2-hour cohort gathering (will work with participants to schedule best time)

  • Monthly 90-minute cohort sessions: For six months you’ll be led through activities, interactive learning, and community building

  • Possibility Pods: Small groups based on interests, roles, or sectors where you can connect even deeper. Pods will be provided with agendas and activities.

  • Office Hours: Join Desiree and Jessica each month for open conversations, bring your questions, your challenges, and your breakthroughs!

  • Coaching: Two one-on-one coaching sessions with either Desiree or Jessica, tailored to your personal objectives.

  • Activities and resources: You’ll get monthly tools and practices to bring these ideas into your work and life right away.

  • Google Space: A dedicated hub for resources, discussions, and staying connected with your cohort.

All sessions will be held via Zoom.

This isn’t just about learning new skills. It’s about showing up differently, leading with intention, and creating something liberatory—for yourself, your teams, and your communities.

Come be part of a small, supportive group committed to imagining new possibilities and lifting each other up.

What Will Your Organization Gain?

(aka talking to folks with budget)

We know this is a substantial investment. Ideally, your organization will fund your participation in this cohort -whether through tuition or professional development stipends as an investment in your career growth. 

You might want to share our POV with them:

Professional development is an investment—not just in the participant but in your entire team and organizational culture. Supporting someone to join Transforming Leadership isn’t just about enhancing their skills—it’s about equipping your organization to meet this moment of upheaval, and shifting workplace dynamics with resilience, equity, and compassion.

We know teams are being asked to do more with less, adapt faster, and at the same time, many organizations have scaled back their equity initiatives—yet the need for leaders with the skills to lead inclusively has never been greater. 

Here’s how sponsoring a participant in this program pays off:

  • Stronger Teams: Having a staff member with the skills to manage conflict constructively, and build trust-based relationships leads to improved team dynamics and more effective collaboration across departments. All of which is tied to increased retention, and a more sustainable organizational culture.

  • Increased Resilience: Your organization will benefit from leaders who can navigate uncertainty with confidence and clarity, adapting to fast-paced change while staying grounded in a shared purpose.

  • Long-Term Impact: Leaders who understand how to build equitable and inclusive workplaces are more important than ever. This program equips leaders with the tools to drive meaningful, systemic change, ensuring your organization stays ahead in a competitive and evolving landscape.

Take it up a notch with a 360 Leadership Circle® Assessment

For those of you wanting more personalized feedback and support from us and your colleagues we are certified practitioners of the Leadership Circle assessment. This is the only 360 we use —we apply an equity and identity lens to the process making it truly customized to who you are.

The assessment will gather feedback from you and those at all levels in the organization with a relevant perspective on your leadership ability – bosses, colleagues, partners and direct reports.

As part of this process you’ll have two additional coaching calls with us. You can learn more about the assessment here.

Desiree & Jessica

Desiree Adaway –founder and principal of the Adaway Group, is one of the nation’s preeminent organizational change and equity consultant-facilitators with over 30 years of experience creating, leading, and managing international multicultural teams in 40 countries through major organizational change. Known as an engaging facilitator, Desiree educates with straightforward, thought-provoking content that allows participants to confront their own biases and seek new paths forward.


Jessica Fish –is a facilitator, educator, and researcher who has devoted her career to helping people and teams learn the skills to help them navigate complex conversations, build meaningful connections, and develop the tools needed to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Over the last twenty years she helped launch the first D&I efforts at Harvard, led in-depth culture audits at over 20+ organizations, and trained thousands of leaders and change-makers.

  • One seat in the cohort (this comes with everything listed in the How it Works section above)

  • Everything in option 1 plus the 360 Leadership Circle assessment (which includes an additional 2 coaching hours) $8,500

  • Everything in option 2 plus a three hour strategy session with Jessica and Desiree (including prep-work and recap) $10,000

  • Does your organization want to send more than one person or run an entire cohort just for your org? Awesome! Email us at info@adawaygroup.com to discuss group rates.

Investment

I’m interested, tell me more!

Sign up here to let us know if you think this could be right for you or folks at your organization. We’ll reach out with more information.

We’re here to fortify you.


So you can help your team, organization, and community navigate all that lies ahead.

Past participants say…

  • “I highly recommend the Transformative Leadership program to any manager looking to lead diverse teams well. It helped me do some deep introspection and better understand how my leadership style and identities impacts those I lead. As a manager of a large team I have limited time but this was an incredibly worthwhile investment.”

    -CC

  • “This program pushed me to rethink my relationship to work and my career goals. I learned new, collaborative leadership approaches and gained clarity on the kind of work that brings me fulfillment. The coaching was invaluable, and I’m still connected with a fantastic group of people from the cohort. Don’t miss this opportunity!”

    -KC

  • “This experience has surpassed every other professional development program I’ve ever taken. Desiree and Jessica challenged us to think differently and provided exceptional personal coaching. I made valuable connections with colleagues I hadn’t interacted with before. I highly recommend this cohort to anyone.”

    -RR

 FAQs

  • Estimated 3-4 hours per month between the cohort calls, work with your pod, and homework assignments.

  • We will be recording sessions and making them available for the duration of the cohort. If you miss a session we’ll ask that you watch it before our next session and complete any activities from the breakouts. We ask that participants prioritize making the sessions live —you’ll get the most out of it by far!

  • Absolutely! Please let us know what will best support your experience and we will work together to make sure you have what you need.

  • Yes, please email us at info@adawaygroup.com

  • Yes, we will provide a certificate of completion for cohort members that remain active over the course of the entire six months.

Additional questions? Shoot us an email at info@adawaygroup.com

I’m interested, tell me more!

Sign up here to let us know if you think this could be right for you or folks at your organization.