Curriculum Overview

A 16-week operating apprenticeship for senior People leaders navigating real business complexity. 

People Leader Accelerator blends applied business judgment, practical HR execution, and peer-level learning - without the time, cost, or abstraction of a traditional executive MBA.

Participants work on their actual organization each week - not generic case studies or simulations.

  • Total Rewards

  • Learning and Development

  • Culture, Engagement, and Communications

  • Performance Management & Goal Setting

  • Legal and Compliance

  • People Analytics and Dashboards

  • Where Next? + HR Career Path

  • Conclusion and Capstone

  • Introductions and Objectives

  • The Role of HR in a High Growth Organization

  • Prioritizing, Aligning, and Influence

  • Strategic People Plan

  • Organizational Structure

  • Employment Value Proposition

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Talent Acquisition

A Sample Week.

What makes PLA different is not what you learn - it’s how you apply it.

Each week combines rigorous thinking, peer challenge, and direct application to the decisions you are already responsible for inside your organization.

Topic: Organizational Structure

You will learn how to design structures that define role boundaries, reduce conflict, and clarify decision-making rights.

The Basics.

  1. Aim for the goldilocks zone (not too much - or too little - structure and control)

  2. Clarify decision-making rights

  3. Hire stage-appropriate leaders

  4. Maintain appropriate management spans and layers

Assigned Readings.

  1. Bartlow & Harris, “Scaling for Success”, Chapter 2

  2. Elad Gil, “High Growth Handbook”, Chapter 5, pages 168-183

  3. Georgina Laudi, “When lack of clarity is killing your team’s effectiveness: RACI for startups”

  4. Gulati & DeSantola, “Startups That Last”

  5. Larry Greiner, “Evolution and Revolution as Organizations Grow” (optional)

Assignments.

  1. Draft a RACI matrix for your executive team with ~20 line items, post to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Tuesday.

  2. Writing prompt: “What organizational structure challenges exist at your organization today, and why? Upon reflection, what could be done to reduce conflict, increase clarity, and/or improve effectiveness?” Post 1-2 page response to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Tuesday.

  3. Read responses from the cohort to the writing prompt and select one to respond to. Post ½-1 page response to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Wednesday.

  4. Participate in the live cohort Zoom video meeting 1-2:30pm PT, Thursday. Office hours will be conducted for 30 minutes immediately after.

Expectations & Guidelines.

  • Expect to invest ~5 hours per week in deep, applied work on your organization and leadership decisions.

  • Active participation is key. We have intimate cohorts (15 or fewer) to ensure extensive group interaction and authentic relationship-building. PLA is designed for leaders who want to be challenged by peers at a similar level of responsibility - and who are willing to challenge others in return.

  • 1-on-1 mentoring by faculty is available for no additional fee during the program.

  • Weekly group discussions are typically 90 minutes in length, with “office hours” held immediately thereafter.

  • Certification at the conclusion of the program will be contingent upon completing all program elements in a thorough and timely manner.

  • Everything we discuss as a group is confidential, and please be kind to each other!

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PLA Explainer Videos

Ground yourself in the practical and academic foundations of the work.

Be mentored by multiple experienced high-growth HR leaders who will get to know you personally and professionally.

Learn from peers in similar roles at similar organizations.

And continue engaging long after the program ends through our active alumni community - including peer connections, ongoing workshops, in-person gatherings, and selective advisory support.

Program Overview

The investment to join the Fall 2026 cohort is $10,000 - intentionally priced to reflect senior-level facilitation, small-cohort depth, and lifetime access to the PLA community.

Applications are due no later than July 10, 2026.

Click here for a sample email to request employer financial support

And, click here for a sample Educational Reimbursement Policy - up to $5,250.00 should be tax deductible under IRS rules

How PLA compares to other HR development programs

PLA is intentionally positioned between traditional executive education and lightweight HR communities - offering depth, application, and peer accountability without institutional overhead.

Who PLA is best for

PLA is best suited for:

  • Heads of People / HR in growth-stage companies

  • Senior HR leaders (Director / VP level) preparing for a top People role

  • Leaders expected to influence business outcomes - not just run HR programs

PLA is not designed for early-career HR professionals or certification-seekers.

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