Senior Leader Program

Prepare for the Senior Executive Service with
the Nation's Leading Senior Executive Development Program

GW CEPL's Senior Leader Program (SLP) provides 100 hours of high-quality, synchronous, cohort-based executive leadership development designed to prepare high-performing federal leaders for Senior Executive Service (SES) and other enterprise-level leadership roles. The curriculum has been updated to align with OPM's latest Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) guidance and requirements, including the 2026 final rule establishing consistent and rigorous standards for SES candidate development.

Since 1982, GW CEPL has been preparing government professionals for executive leadership. The Senior Leader Program aligns with the 2025 OPM ECQs and the President's Management Agenda while integrating Qualifications Review Board (QRB) preparation through resume workshops, structured interview practice, and executive-level simulations. Led by retired SES members, former GS-15 leaders, and senior executives with extensive federal experience, the program helps participants develop the enterprise mindset and leadership capabilities needed to succeed as senior federal executives.
 

Ideal For

Federal government leaders at GS levels 14 and 15.

Learning Objectives

The program objectives and curricula are built around the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM's) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), allowing you to hone the skills, develop knowledge, and strengthen the personal qualities leaders need to excel in senior executive positions.

The program is offered in two formats: online and in-person.

Jared Peatman, Ph.D.

Senior Fellow, SLP

A nationally recognized authority on the Civil War era, Dr. Jared Peatman has served as a Senior Fellow at GW CEPL since 2014. Jared is well-known by our students for his talent in using history and storytelling to examine modern-day leadership challenges in a fun and engaging way.

Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, Ph.D.

Co-Faculty Director, SLP
Executive Director, GW CEPL

Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon brings over 25 years of experience teaching and coaching government executives in strategic leadership, stakeholder management and culture change for transformational impact.

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Dorothy Mackay

Senior Fellow, SLP

Dorothy Mackay, a retired senior executive and former VA Chief Learning Officer, has led strategic planning, training, budget and financial management, and leadership development, and has deep experience integrating ECQs into leadership programs at all levels.

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Andrew Chiu

Senior Fellow, SLP

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in senior management and executive roles across multiple public and private sector organizations. Previously, he served as the Executive Director and Assistant Inspector General for Management for the Office of Inspector General with the U.S. Department of State and served in multiple senior executive roles at the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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"I was brought out of my comfort zone and stretched to think about where I see myself in the next 5-10 years as a future leader. The most helpful takeaways were the leadership lessons, learning about the different styles for leading teams."

Rhonda Carter
Associate Director, Enterprise Talent Development, VHA Healthcare Leadership Talent Institute, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC

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DATES

Nov 9 - Dec 15, 2026
2 days/week,
Mondays and Tuesdays

CLASS SIZE

Small group of up to 25

VENUE

Virtual: Online

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

10 CEUs

TUITION PRICE INTENSIVE

Please contact for pricing.

TUITION PRICE VIRTUAL

Government: $9,950
Non-government: $10,945

 

APPLY NOW

 

10% OFF

GW CEPL Alumni, Groups of 5+
Exclusive Partners

* Winter 2025 Virtual Dates: Orientation TBD | Program Dates: Feb. 23-24 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET), Mar. 2-3 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET), Mar. 9-10 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET), Mar. 16-17 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET), Mar. 23-24 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET)