In October, Quest facilitated an Emerging Leaders Program workshop in Lexington, KY, bringing together program participants from across our community who are looking to enhance their leadership skills and position themselves for more senior leadership roles and responsibilities. This two-day immersive event focused on four essential leadership competencies: Leadership Foundations, Organizational Understanding, Business Acumen, and Client Orientation. Designed to blend lectures, group discussions, and real-world practice, the workshop provided attendees with practical tools and insights to elevate their leadership capabilities and immediate impact in their roles.

Participants benefited from the expertise of industry leaders Ken Piddington, Chief Digital and Information Officer at RelaDyne LLC, and Rick Katz, Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting. Sponsored by Deloitte, the Emerging Leaders Program offers participants not only access to industry knowledge but also an extended suite of leadership tools and resources to reinforce their learning. The interactive sessions led by Piddington and Katz provided a hands-on approach, encouraging participants to reflect, engage, and prepare to bring these lessons back to their workplaces. The “practice what you learn” component reinforced the importance of immediate application alongside long-term growth, enabling participants to make a real impact from day one.

Throughout the workshop, attendees explored the core leadership topics in depth. In Leadership Foundations, they examined how effective leaders inspire trust, motivate teams, and create a collaborative work environment. Participants evaluated various leadership styles—including their own—while learning how to shift from managing tasks to driving transformational growth. The Organizational

Understanding module helped them navigate internal dynamics, equipping them with tools to align actions with organizational objectives.

Business Acumen was another key focus, guiding participants in building their understanding of how organizations achieve strategic and financial goals. Real-world frameworks bridged the gap between high-level strategies and day-to-day decisions. Client Orientation, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of positioning oneself as a strategic partner to clients, providing strategies to understand and adapt to clients’ communication and work styles for optimal outcomes.

Beyond skills development, Quest intentionally cultivated a space for professional networking and support. Through collaborative activities and shared experiences, participants formed meaningful bonds that will continue to support their careers beyond the program. This focus on connection is a cornerstone of the Emerging Leaders Program, reflecting Quest’s commitment to fostering future leaders through a blend of skills, resources, and community.

The program doesn’t stop here. November will bring each participant a second 1:1 mentoring session with seasoned industry professionals, providing tailored guidance to help them apply their learning in real time. They’ll also meet with their capstone project teams, applying new skills to projects with meaningful outcomes. In December, participants will dive into advanced competencies, with a focus on Strategic Focus and Leading Change. We’re excited to welcome business coach and author Chris Laping to lead the Leading Change module, complete with an interactive Q&A on his book People Before Things. These upcoming experiences are designed to deepen each participant’s leadership journey, empowering them to step forward confidently as future leaders in our industry.

Learn more about the Quest Emerging Leaders Program. Applications for the 2025 cohort are currently being accepted!