Inspired Leadership Initiative

Dear Friends,

The Inspired Leadership Initiative (ILI) was created at Notre Dame out of a dedication to the life of the mind and a focus on lifelong learning and personal development. It was created for individuals who have completed their chosen career paths and are looking to design the next chapter of their lives – a program for people who are ready to embark upon a transformational journey to clarify and deepen their sense of purpose, and to identify new interests or explore and develop already existing passions.

The Program allows fellows to reimmerse themselves in the academic experience, to reflect on where they’ve been, and to begin designing their next chapter. While on campus, they journey alongside world-class faculty members, dedicated program staff, and the ND student body, with the full support of Our Lady’s University. All of this is done with a cohort of others who have the same mission and bring a breadth of experiences across professions, geographies and interests.

ILI fellows audit classes, engage in rich academic discussions, attend guest lectures, forge meaningful relationships with students, and engage with the campus community on a daily basis. They are given an academic year to stretch and challenge themselves, to grow, and to redefine what it means to step away from one’s career and to chart a new, meaningful path. The program has provided this opportunity for three successfully completed cohorts with a fourth underway. Witnessing these cohorts and their personal and collective transformations is one of our great joys. Their continuing relationships after the program is complete is a testament to the community they form.

The Inspired Leadership Initiative is pleased to partner with ThinkND to bring you this year’s Inspiring Conversations series focused on kinship as well as a new digital series Creating Your Inspired Journey. We invite you to join us for these upcoming digital series or to visit our website at ili.nd.edu to learn more about our program.

With Best Regards,

Tom Schreier
Founding Director, Inspired Leadership Initiative
Term Teaching Professor, Designing an Inspired Life