UToledo Family Business Center

Leadership Development Certificate Program

Leadership Development pgm

As family business transitions to a new generation of leaders, their success and continuity depend on the management and leadership effectiveness of those at the top. This innovative certificate program will help new and aspiring leaders – both family and non-family members – to master the concepts and skills required to navigate the course of these complex organizations. 

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS PROGRAM?

This development opportunity is for professionals in a current leadership role. 

Space is limited to 16 participants. If you have any questions, call us at 419.530.4425

Date: September 12, 2025 through November 14, 2025

Location: The University of Toledo

How to Enroll: Register Here

Program Dates and Curriculum:

All sessions are 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., held on The University of Toledo Main Campus. 

September 12, 2025: Key leadership concepts 

  • How is being a leader in a family business different?
  • Leadership P’s: People, processes, politics
  • Character traits and behaviors of a leader
  • Common pitfalls of leadership 

September 26, 2025: Self-assessment tools and emotional intelligence 

  • Review of managerial skills
  • Understanding your MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
  • MBTI activity
  • Review of emotional intelligence 

October: One-hour individual coaching session with the instructor 

October 17, 2025: Goal setting and individual
development plans

  • EQ awareness and understanding
  • Developing yourself through goal-setting
  • How to turn goals into actions
  • Individual development plans


October 31, 2025: Communication and active listening

  • Overcoming listening barriers
  • How to be an effective listener
  • Understanding and awareness of non-verbal communication
  • How to build rapport and feel empathy

November 7, 2025: Giving and receiving feedback and organizational change

  • Discussion of positive feedback practices
  • Understanding temperament styles in giving feedback
  • How to receive feedback
  • Being a role model
  • Leveraging people power to make positive organizational change
  • How to deal with resistance to change

November: One-hour individual coaching session with the instructor 

November 14, 2025: Presentation of development plans and program graduation

  • Participants present their development plans for self and employee
  • Final review of all material
  • Awarding of certificates

 

 

What Differentiates our Program

What differentiates our course from other leadership programs is the inclusion of, and focus on, the family business aspects. For example, conflicts between siblings or parents create unique dynamics issues. Change management may mean doing things differently than the owner did for the past 30 years. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from The University of Toledo and up to 2.5 University-awarded continuing education units (CEUs). 

About The Instructor

 

Jenell Whittmer

Jenell L. S. Wittmer, Ph.D. is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist holding degrees from Wayne State University and the College of Charleston, SC. She is a Professor of Management in the Neff College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo, having received multiple awards in the areas of teaching, research, and community service. Her areas of teaching include Human Resources, with a special focus on Training and Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Behavior, and Results Based Management. 

Dr. Wittmer’s program of research focuses on nonstandard employment (including part-time work, shift work, and nonstandard schedules), work-life conflict, the successful employment of people with disabilities, leadership and managerial development, applied statistics and measurement. She has recently published in Organizational Research Methods, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Journal of Vocational Behavior, Human Relations, Human Resource Management, Training and Development, and Journal of Business and Psychology.

Dr. Wittmer is a certified as an assessor for Managerial Assessment Centers, having coordinated and led assessments with the American Society of Employees. She is an expert in mid-level managerial coaching and development, with numerous clients in multiple industries, such as public schools, auto, retail, banking, manufacturing, and third-party distribution. She regularly serves as a consultant and speaker on such topics as leadership development, team leadership, disabilities awareness and strategic advantage, training and development for small businesses, and personal communication styles.  Dr. Wittmer has also held several board of directors positions and currently sits on the board of the Ohio Business Leadership Network. 

Program Cost

  • $2,750 per participant for UToledo Family Business Center member companies

For questions please contact angie.jones@utoledo.edu


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Last Updated: 6/30/25