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A Personal Leadership Development Program Like No Other

NFDA Emerging Leaders Program 2024-2025


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Get the skills you need to drive change in your business, participate in state and national associations and inspire others in your community. NFDA invites all funeral service professionals to participate in the National Emerging Leaders Program, a one-of-a-kind skills training course for those interested in management, leadership, and beyond.

“The National Emerging Leaders Program is helping develop professionals who will one day carry the torch in our profession, our businesses and our communities cultivate the skills necessary to lead with integrity.”

NFDA Past President Randall Anderson

NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program features a practical and theoretical approach to advanced leadership topics, including: 

  • Mentorship
  • Ethical leadership
  • Employee relations
  • Collaborative decision-making
  • Strategic planning
  • Servant leadership
  • Communication skills
  • Small business ownership

2022 Participant Christopher H.

"NFDA wants to invest in your personal and professional development. What are you waiting for? It is an amazing opportunity to meet other funeral service professionals, grow professionally, and learn more about NFDA"

Todd Harra
McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc.

2022 Participant Jeri Lynn D.

Learn. Lead. Inspire.

Participants from across the nation meet virtually eight times throughout the year and twice in person at the NFDA Leadership Conference in July.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts within the funeral service profession – those with first-hand knowledge of what makes a business successful.  There is also an impressive lineup of outside presenters who are authorities on qualities found in good leaders and the art of strategic planning. This is knowledge that you can begin integrating into your firm’s culture.

"Developing confident, focused and adaptable leaders is in direct alignment with the Foundation’s mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. The Funeral Service Foundation is honoured to once again sponsor this program, which benefits funeral service professionals throughout the US and Canada.”

2021-22 Foundation Chair, Allan Cole

Hear it from program participants!

“When given the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural class, I was not prepared for the level of camaraderie and education that the year brought me. Having an opportunity to connect monthly with like-minded professionals who genuinely understand your day-to-day life.”

Jane Pigott
MacKinnon and Bowes Ltd

"The time invested into this NELP program has come back to me in benefits ten-fold, with the camaraderie of like-minded professionals and educational material that helps me grow as a leader. The marketing materials, too, have been helpful in that I now can educate my community about what we do and what it takes to become a funeral director, in the schools and at my local veteran service organizations."

Kelly Davidson
Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC

“Leadership is a journey, not a destination. My participation in NELP has allowed me to gain confidence in my abilities as a leader, learn from others and strive to continue to grow."

Ebonē Dukes
Northwest Mississippi Community College

"The NELP program promotes the collaboration of like-minded funeral directors who desire to make a difference in a leadership role. The camaraderie, problem-solving and teaching initiatives allows the synergy of our profession to strengthen at a national level."

Victoria Martin
Spadaccino & Leo P. Gallagher Community

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of this program opportunity.

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