Boulay LEADS II: Elevate

*Boulay LEADS II: Elevate, formally known as Boulay Leadership Development Group (BLDG), was restructured and launched under the new name in late 2023. Please see the information below regarding this updated program.

 

 

MISSION


The Elevate program’s mission is to cultivate the next generation of leaders at Boulay and serve as a forum to develop, sharpen, and practice one’s leadership skills. Elevate aims to create a collaborative culture through meaningful discussions and exchanging of ideas, experiences, and best practices around current leadership and industry-related topics.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY & COMMITMENT

 

Elevate is open to all team members at Boulay and BFA who meet the following criteria:

  • Total professional experience of at least four years, preferably with three (3) months of Boulay experience.
  • Currently in a supervisor level position (or equivalent) or higher.  Partners are not eligible to join this group.
  • Dedicated to professional development and growth of oneself as well as each member of the group. 
  • Ability to commit and actively participate in a minimum of the 9 of the 12 annual monthly meetings, which may include additional time dedicated to projects above and beyond the normal responsibilities of your role.
  • Willingness to expand outside your comfort zone and be vulnerable, collaborate cross-departmentally, and build a leadership repertoire. 

 


PROGRAM DETAILS

 

By design, Elevate is a combination of content, reading, exchange, and engagement in initiatives.  Elevate offers structure yet is flexible enough to provide members opportunities to explore ideas and various directions based on the current group’s needs and interests.  Elevate members meet monthly, and additionally, plan and host a bi-annual Manager Retreat and a Manager social in the off years.


Content
Each month, this group discusses a designated leadership development topic. This may include leadership articles, TED Talks, podcasts, a Partner roundtable discussion, sharing of current challenges in role, etc. In general, two members of the group will facilitate the group discussion, encouraging diverse ideas and experiences to be shared. Each member of Elevate is expected to come prepared to actively engage in all group discussions, including volunteering to lead sessions on occasion. 


Book Study

Elevate team members may choose to do a book study on a relevant leadership book.  The format and frequency of book discussions will be determined by the Elevate team in a given year.


Exchange

As Elevate is made up of members from all areas of Boulay and BFA, this is a great opportunity to meet and learn from other leaders outside one’s team.  Elevate members should actively participate in each meeting, providing their own unique perspective, as exchanging ideas and experiences helps everyone grow.

 

Initiatives

Elevate's mission is not intended to be a standing committee for the purpose of developing and accomplishing firm-related projects, however,  the manifestation of leadership is an awareness of potential improvements for the firm and creation of solutions.  Active leadership and participation with relevant firm initiatives provides opportunities to practice valuable leader skills.

 

Annual Firm Update

Annually, the Emerge and Elevate program members will combine to hear from Boulay and BFA’s Managing Partners on the firm’s fiscal year goals and initiatives.  The goal of this session is to create better understanding and awareness of important firm initiatives, challenges, and opportunities so our leaders at all levels can have a cohesive vision with intentional and focused efforts.  

 

Bi-Annual Manager Retreat

Every other year, the Elevate team plans and hosts an off-site Manager Retreat, where participants explore and discuss relevant and important leadership topics and challenges, as well as have networking and relationship building opportunities with team members across the firm. This retreat is targeted for members of Elevate, and any team member of Boulay who is in a Manager (or equivalent) role or higher. 

 

Participant Self-Evaluation

Annually, all members of Elevate perform a self-evaluation:

  • Review and rate your attendance and participation.
  • Discuss your biggest contribution to the Elevate group during the last year.
  • Share your biggest learning or takeaway within Elevate, and how you intend to apply this knowledge within the firm.
  • Provide feedback and suggestions for improvement, as well as recommendations for leadership topics and content for future years. 
  • Determine if you want to commit to another year in Elevate.

 

 

LEADERSHIP TEAM

 

Elevate is currently structured to function autonomously, without Partner oversight, and is led by a three-person leadership team, comprised of a President, Vice-President, and Boulay’s Talent Development Manager.  The President and Vice President positions have a one-year term length, with the Vice President transitioning into the President role the following year.  Any Elevate member may volunteer for the Vice President role.  If more than one member volunteers for the Vice President role, all Elevate members will vote – with a simple majority vote being elected for the one-year team. The Talent Development Manager will have the deciding vote in the case of a tie.

 

Collectively, the Leadership Team is charged with the following:

  • Participate in an annual planning process to set the vision and direction for the upcoming year, to include developing the annual Elevate calendar with monthly topics and content.
  • Develop monthly meeting agendas.
  • Review annual participant feedback surveys.
  • Review applications for new participants and make decisions around admittance into Elevate.

 

President Responsibilities

  • Lead Elevate monthly meetings
  • Serve as a member of the Incentive Compensation Committee

 

Vice President Responsibilities 

  • Take meeting minutes and attendance and circulate meeting meetings
  • Transitions into the President role in second year

 

Talent Development Manager

  • Provides content and leadership development resources
  • Manages and facilitates the annual application process
  • Schedules Elevate meetings and coordinates any additional meeting needs
  • Coordinates annual feedback survey and shares results with Elevate Leadership Team
  • Manages the onboarding and offboarding process of Elevate team members
  • Ensures cohesiveness and alignment with Boulay LEADS’ vision and mission

 

 

APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE PROCESS

 

Elevate admits new participants on an annual basis on June 1, and applications are due by May 15 each year. 

 

Special note: New hires to Boulay may be admitted to Elevate outside of the application window.  To be considered, please reach out to Bridget Woitas, Talent Development Manager, at BWoitas@boulaygroup.com.

  1. Review program qualifications and discuss interest in Elevate with Primary Advisor.
  2. Click here to apply for Elevate. Applications are due May 15.
  3. The Elevate Leadership Team reviews applications and informs applicants of their status prior to June 1.

  4. New applicants will receive a welcome email with more details and will be introduced to the rest of the Elevate Team at their first meeting.

For questions regarding Elevate, please reach out to Bridget Woitas, Talent Development Manager, at bwoitas@boulaygroup.com.

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