In 2025, The Leadership Academy piloted a new programme, the ‘CEO Masterclass Series’. The series was designed to upskill CEOs in response to current identified challenges specific to CEOs in the nonprofit sector. We did this by providing a bespoke and targeted programme focused on impactful learning outcomes for both new and experienced CEOs.
The pilot Masterclass Series has been a resounding success, and we are delighted to confirm we will be running the programme again for 2026/27.
If you would like to be the first to learn when applications open, you can do so by popping your details into the expression of interest form below.
Alternatively read on for more details.
How Does It Work?
The Leadership Academy identified leading trainers and experts with specific nonprofit expertise and curated a suite of dedicated masterclasses. These were delivered monthly to a group of senior leaders from across our sector. As well as dedicated workshops, we provided wrap-around services including an online hub for participants to review material and connect, an accountability buddy “matchmaking” service, and we hosted an in-person event for participants during the summer.
Who Attends the Series?
This programme is unique in that we only accept the most senior leaders of organisations. This is for two reasons. Firstly, the material is designed to be relevant and engaging, making it relevant only to most senior leaders. Secondly, it also means the group can relate to one another in a very specific way where they recognise the challenges faced by their peers.
A small number of places are available to people who are within the senior management team as part of organisational succession planning. However, approval will be sought from the CEO of the relevant organisation before a place is offered.
The same group of participants attends for the full series, meaning there is time and space to get to know other senior leaders in the sector, and indeed much feedback has related to this space to connect and network properly with relevant leaders.
The participants ranged from brand new CEO’s, to ‘well-seasoned’ (their words not mine!), and all levels reported benefitting from the series.
Early access will be made available to the people who have completed the expression of interest form. Click here to access.
We will be circulating more details when we have the finalised timetable for the coming year but if you have any specific questions, please email Sharon@wheel.ie and we’ll come back to you, or you can book some time here: Book time with Sharon Hughes: CEO Masterclass Connect.
You can more details from the pilot programme below.
What is covered in the series?
We are currently curating this year’s list, but as an example, last year’s workshops were arranged around four leadership stages:
Topics ranged from Culture to AI and from Data to Ethics. The full list of workshops will be confirmed before applications open.
Early access will be made available to the people who have completed the expression of interest form. Click here to access.
We will be circulating more details when we have the finalised timetable for the coming year but if you have any specific questions, please email Sharon@wheel.ie and we’ll come back to you, or you can book some time here: Book time with Sharon Hughes: CEO Masterclass Connect.
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some of this years participants had to say.
The content of the CEO Masterclass was excellent, but what truly elevated the experience was the depth of discussion and learning that emerged through the cohort itself. Being in conversation with other CEOs, seasoned and newly appointed, created space for honest reflection, practical problem-solving, and meaningful peer support.
The Wheel’s CEO Masterclass hasn’t just strengthened my leadership skills; it grounded my experience in the Irish context and connected me with an exceptional community of CEOs whose insights and support have been invaluable.
MaryClare Clarke, CEO, West Cork Beacon
The CEO Masterclass Series is an adult education approach to learning. Each masterclass utilised a mix of theory, practice and discussion-based interaction, to scaffold learning and deepen knowledge-sharing across the programme participants. The series also covered the full picture of what the job demands, something I could not find elsewhere when I had looked previously.
Kerry Cuskelly, CEO, Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service
What stood out most for me was the openness and honesty within the group. The programme created a really supportive space where people could speak candidly about the realities of leadership, the opportunities, the pressures, and the responsibility that comes with leading organisations and teams. I found the mix of practical learning, reflection, and peer discussion extremely beneficial. I came away with fresh perspectives, renewed confidence, and a network of people I know I will stay connected with long after the programme ends.
Elaine Teague, CEO, Disability Federation of Ireland
I’m currently in my second CEO role and have been a CEO for nearly ten years, leading the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, a national charity with 21 staff. We deliver a range of services for people living with MND across Ireland, including a nationwide team of seven nurses, equipment provision grants, and therapeutic programmes. What I value most about the CEO Masterclass is the opportunity it provides to step back, reflect, and engage with peers
in similar roles—something that can be rare given how isolating
the CEO position can often feel.
Kevin Burns, CEO, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association
What will I get from the attending the CEO Masterclass Series?
When asked about their biggest takeaway, CEOs highlighted three major themes:
Validation & Peer Solidarity: Recognizing that other non-profit leaders face identical pressures (“You are not alone; the challenges I face are shared across the sector”).
Working ON the Organization, Not IN It: Moving away from immediate operational firefighting to dedicate focused time to long-term vision, governance, and organizational resilience.
Restored Confidence: Leaders noted that the series validated their knowledge and gave them the confidence to claim their role as strategic guides.
Participant Expression of Interest
If you are interested in joining our early access for the coming year, pop your details in this short form to be the first to receive the application form when it is available.
I want early access!
Participants Frequently Asked Questions
This years series will run from October 2026 until end of May/early June 2027.
This course is designed to be particularly relevant to most senior leaders of organisations. The material is directly relevant to their work and additionally we adopt Chatham house rules in order to ensure it is a safe space for leaders to engage.
However, we do accept that a programme such as this is important for the development of incoming leaders so we reserve a small number of spots for people who are soon to be most senior leaders
a) in designate roles, i.e they are due to take over a most senior role
b) as part of an agreed succession plan with the current CEO of their organisation. We understand some senior managers may have delegated authority for senior leadership tasks or be part of an organisational succession plan, in these case we will consider a member of a senior management team, with the written confirmation of the CEO of the organisation.
The investment for the current year is currently being finalised.
No. The workshop series is designed to be an active community of learning practice so we do not record the sessions. Additionally we operate under Chatham House Rules so that the people involved can speak openly and candidly.
Indeed the biggest feedback we have received from participants is that the true value of the programme is the peer learning involved. Recording sessions would curb that openness.
Yes. All trainer presentations and materials are stored on a central hub that participants are given access to.
This programme is an active community learning of practice. A core part of the programme is about building community and developing professional networks. Anyone attending is expected to engage with their fellow participants and contribute to the learning environment by sharing experience or reflections. If you are not comfortable with this level of engagement this is not the course for you.
Who to contact
The CEO Masterclass is brought to you by The Leadership Academy, a project of The Wheel, Irelands National Association for the Community and Voluntary, Charitable and Social Enterprise sector.
Sharon Hughes is the Leadership Academy manager and can be contact at Sharon@wheel.ie if there are any additional questions that have not been answered here.
The CEO Masterclass of 2025/26
2025/26 was our pilot programme of the CEO Masterclass Series. You can review some of the material here.
CEO Masterclass Outline 2025/2026
Our pilot programme 2025-2026 consisted of 11 expert masterclasses.
CEO Masterclass Series Brochure 2025/2026
The promotional Brochure for the Pilot CEO Masterclass Series delivered from 2025-2026
CEO Masterclass Series 2025/26
We had a wonderful time with the pilot Masterclass of 2025-26 that ended with a lovely in-person event in the Guinness Enterprise Centre in July 2026.
Information for Potential Trainers
In order to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date knowledge and expertise to our participant, we are always open to hearing from experts in the field who would like to propose a future Masterclass.
Please note applications are now closed for the 2026-27 Masterclass Series.
The CEO Masterclass series was designed to upskill CEOs in response to current identified challenges specific to CEOs in the nonprofit sector. We did this by providing a bespoke and targeted programme focused on impactful learning outcomes for both new and experienced CEOs.
We identified leading trainers and experts with specific nonprofit expertise and curated a suite of dedicated masterclasses. These were delivered monthly to a group of senior leaders from across our sector. As well as dedicated workshops, we provided wrap-around services including an online hub for participants to review material and connect, an accountability buddy matchmaking service, and we will be hosting an in-person event for participants during the summer.
Please note applications are now closed for the 2026/27 Masterclass Series.
How Does It Work?
First, we put out this open call to trainers who are experts at delivering workshops to senior leaders in our sector. We are asking you to identify a key area of need and tell us how you would address this need through a tailored workshop.
Once the proposed workshops are received, several of them will be curated and organised into a curriculum relevant to senior leaders. The workshops will be delivered monthly as half-day, online workshops. One workshop will be chosen to be delivered to the group in person.
What Were the Topics?
We are currently curating this year’s list, but we’ve included the 2025/2026 list of experts and workshops above. You can download the full 2025 brochure here. This will be updated for the coming year.
We are open to considering any topics once a clear need is identified and communicated.
Who Attends the Series?
This programme is unique in that we only accept the most senior leaders of organisations. This is for two reasons. Firstly, the material is designed to be relevant and engaging, making it relevant only to most senior leaders. Secondly, it also means the group can relate to one another in a very specific way where they recognise the challenges faced by their peers.
The participants ranged from brand new CEOs to well-seasoned leaders. It is imperative that any proposed workshop should be directly relevant to the most senior leader of an organisation to be considered.
What Experience Should I Have?
You should be a demonstrated expert in your field or area. This year we had a blend of professional trainers, experts with professional training skills and subject matter experts from within the sector. Before your workshop is confirmed you will be asked to meet with someone from The Leadership Academy to discuss your proposal. You can outline your experience in your application. We do not require you to be a formal trainer, we require you to be an expert in your topic of delivery.
Additionally, all trainers will be asked to confirm that they will uphold The Wheel’s Principles and Processes for Trainers.
Applications are now closed for the 2026/27 Masterclass series. If you have a leadership learning or development product or service you would like us to consider please email Sharon@wheel.ie
The Masterclass schedule will be curated in August 2026 and will be delivered between September 2026 and June 2027.
When is it due?
Applications are now closed.
Why Should I Apply?
The feedback from both participants and trainers has been excellent. The trainers have commented on the unique access to a large group of dedicated most-senior leaders from across a sector that employs 281,000 people across Ireland.
The participants are the same for the entire programme which means that it becomes a very warm and engaging environment, the sort of room trainers love to work in.
The participants are thoroughly enjoying the content, as you can see from the testimonials above.
Trainers Frequently Asked Questions
You should be a demonstrated expert in your field or area. This year we had a blend of professional trainers, experts with professional training skills and subject matter experts from within the sector. Before your workshop is confirmed you will be asked to meet with someone from The Leadership Academy to discuss your proposal. You can outline your experience in your application. We do not require you to be a formal trainer, we require you to be an expert in your topic of delivery.
We do expect you to have experience working in an Irish environment where relevant and working knowledge of the nonprofit sector in Ireland.
The morning of the 3rd of August 2026.
You can, but a gentle reminder we are looking for expertise but we understand if you are an expert in your field you have have two or three key topics you might like to propose
The workshops will be held in a morning and be 3 to 3.5 hours. There is a standardised break and please allow room for discussion, this is important.
You will be asked to arrive early for tech check.
As well as preparing your materials, which must be submitted two weeks in advance, you will also be asked to meet with the Leadership Academy in advance to discuss the format of the event and our trainer code.
You will be expected to deliver your workshop in a professional and competent manner
You will be expected to properly facilitate relevant discussion within the group
You will be expected to sign up to the Wheels professional conduct for trainers as well as a guide for Masterclass trainers.