The Baldrige Foundation Launches National Leadership and Advisory Councils

Now Accepting Applications for Executive Chairs and Members

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Baldrige Foundation, through its flagship program—the Institute for Performance Excellence—is proud to announce the launch of the National Leadership and Advisory Councils (NLAC). This exclusive, application-based membership program brings together top executives and emerging leaders in a dynamic peer network. Meeting monthly, NLAC is designed to foster leadership growth and advance organizational excellence.

The NLAC serves as the Institute's premier leadership development opportunity for Chief Executive Officers, C-Suite Executives, Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, and Emerging Leaders. The program offers a select group of individuals access to high-quality leadership development, industry benchmarking, and a robust network of high-performing leaders, all grounded in the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, the nation's leading model for organizational performance excellence.

Applications Now Open: The Baldrige Foundation is now accepting applications for Executive Chairs and NLAC Members for the program's official launch in December 2025. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an exclusive cohort of leaders focused on driving performance excellence and shaping the future of their organizations.

Why NLAC?

The National Leadership and Advisory Councils provide access to:

• Monthly masterclass sessions with world-renowned experts, covering essential leadership competencies and strategies to advance organizational success.
• Peer networking within a select group of high-performing executives, fostering a community committed to growth, innovation, and excellence.
• Expert-led roundtables, focusing on overcoming the most pressing leadership and organizational challenges in today's business world.
• Access to AI-driven organizational assessments, delivering real-time insights and actionable data to help members refine and enhance their organizational strategies.
• Exclusive access to the Institute for Performance Excellence's resources, including comprehensive training, certifications, and a library of tools designed to accelerate leadership capabilities at all levels.
• Private online portal, offering continuous access to resources, peer support, and best practices for members of each NLAC to utilize.

Executive Chairs will lead their councils, guiding members through the program and supporting them in implementing cutting-edge strategies for continuous improvement. NLAC Members will engage with their peers to share insights, tackle organizational challenges, and drive impactful change.

"The National Leadership and Advisory Councils represent an exclusive opportunity for senior executives and emerging leaders to engage in sustained leadership development, grounded in the Baldrige Framework," said Josh Racette, President & CEO of the Baldrige Foundation.

"This is a selective, application-based program designed for leaders who are committed to driving excellence within their organizations. We are bringing together an elite group of professionals who will be at the forefront of shaping strategic outcomes and leading their organizations to success."

Baldrige is a leadership and management framework with a systems level, customer driven organizational assessment and design approach that has proven to enhance the performance of organizations across every sector of the economy compared to their non-Baldrige peers. Baldrige generates an empirically-documented return on investment of $820 in cost savings and performance enhancements for each $1 spent supporting the Baldrige Enterprise.

To review the relevant data, click here: https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/how-baldrige-works/about-baldrige/baldrige-impacts

For more information contact: Mark Wayda, 614-600-0432 or [email protected]

About The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Inc.
The Baldrige Foundation was created as the private partner to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program in 1988. Its mission is to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and to support organizational performance excellence throughout the United States and the world. The Baldrige Program, located at NIST within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a separate entity and is solely responsible for managing and administering the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. For more information on the Baldrige Award process please visit: https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/baldrige-award.

SOURCE Malcolm Baldrige Foundation