The application period for the 2026–27 BOLT Leadership Academy has closed. Please come back in January 2027 to apply for the 2027–28 cohort.
The academy was formed in 2024, bringing together a cohort of 20–25 community banking emerging leaders over a 13-month period for extensive industry and leadership education, along with several networking opportunities for the group. The inaugural 2024-25 academy group completed their program in June 2025. The current 2025-26 academy group will graduate in June 2026.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
This program has been designed for highly motivated emerging bank leaders who have a desire to grow their leadership skills and grow a trusted network of community banking peers from across the state. The selected cohort members will come from diverse business functions within the banking industry and various locations from throughout Wisconsin.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE FROM JUST ATTENDING BOLT SUMMITS?
In addition to attending the two statewide BOLT Summits that are offered annually, this new program will expand on BOLT’s mission by allowing participants to connect with other bankers at BOLT as well as several other programs developed exclusively for the leadership academy. The mission of the academy is to build a community of future banking leaders who are committed to advancing our industry while supporting their banks in serving the financial needs of the communities that they serve.
Limited spots available – Applicants are encouraged to review included education program dates to ensure they can commit to participating in all sessions.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Each selected member of the 2026–27 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy will begin their 13-month program in June 2026. Each member will receive a hard copy of the national best-selling book The Ideal Team Player, written by Patrick Lencioni. Members will also have the opportunity to attend a WBA Conference of their choice at a discounted registration rate.
INCLUDED IN-PERSON WBA EVENTS*
- WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit: June 11-12, 2026 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $250/attendee)
- WBA BOLT Winter Leadership Summit: November 4, 2026 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $150/attendee)
- Communication Workshop: March 9, 2027, full day workshop, location TBD – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
- 2027 WBA Capitol Day: spring date TBD
- 2027 WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit – including graduation ceremony for 2026–27 BOLT Leadership Academy Cohort: June 2027 TBD, Wisconsin Dells
*Your academy registration will include the registration for the listed in-person events. Please note that travel and overnight expenses will be the responsibility of the bank and are not included with the academy registration.
VIRTUAL TRAINING
- WBA & Program Orientation: May 2026 TBD, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
- 8-part Understanding Bank Performance series (registration fee for this program by itself: $1,000/attendee)
All sessions are recorded and accessible to watch on-demand for approximately 60 days after the series ends, participants can defer to attend a later UBP series in Fall 2026 if need be.
Speaker: Duncan Taylor, Washington Bankers Association- July 9, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 1
- July 10, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 2
- July 16, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Credit Metrics & Credit Quality
- July 17, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Funding & Liquidity
- July 23, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capital & Bank Investments
- July 24, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Risk & Return
- July 30, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capstone Overview
- July 31, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Proforma Capstone
- Building Leader Awareness & Effectiveness: August 25, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
Speaker: Jen Porett, Wipfli Advisory LLC
- Building on the results that participants receive from The Predictive Index (PI) assessment that they will take online prior to this session.
- Discuss the 5 roles of leadership.
- Discuss what is a “self-aware leader.”
- Understanding others’ motivating needs and behaviors.
- Identify opportunities for personal development and growth!
- Discussion on the national best-selling book The Ideal Team Player: October 9, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – Noon – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
Speaker: Vicki Kraai, InterAction Training- Members will receive their copy of the book from WBA at the BOLT Summer Leadership Summit June and should read the book prior to the October virtual program.
- Discuss the three essential virtues outlined in the book
- Group exercises to apply the concepts of the book to you and your team
- Leading Multi-generational Organizations: January 13 & 14, 2027 virtual half-day sessions (9:00 a.m. – Noon) – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
Speaker: Dr. Melissa Furman, Career Potential LLC
BOLT Leadership Academy Tuition:
Selected banker participants for the 2026–27 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy will be invoiced a total of $2,195/member. Tuition includes registration and materials for the programs listed as included events – three (3) total BOLT Summit registrations; one (1) day Communication Workshop registration; four virtual sessions presented exclusively for the group; and registration for the 8-part Understanding Bank Performance series.
Please note that travel and overnight expenses will be the responsibility of the bank and are not included with the academy registration.
