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Welcome to the LEAD Program

The Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) program advances the leadership culture at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). Participants will gain a deep understanding of our mission, vision, values, and complexity. They will also learn how to better serve as current and future leaders in promoting HCI’s mission. The program will foster a leadership culture centered around belonging, stewardship, sponsorship, wellness, and talent development. Through the program, leadership competencies will be honed and strategically applied to foster excellence and promote a united effort.  

Program Schedule

Admitted participants will meet as a cohort once a week for 10 weeks. Each weekly course will alternate between an eight-hour session at the David Eccles School of Business and a two-hour session at HCI. Sessions will take place on weekdays and will require time away from work.

Completion of modest pre-work may be necessary to participate in the program, and details regarding the pre-work will be provided two weeks prior to the program's commencement. Additionally, participants should anticipate attending an online orientation, welcome social, graduation dinner, and three sessions of post-program work.

The schedule is subject to change and will be finalized closer to the start date. The tentative schedule is Monday, September 30 through Friday, December 13.

Program Details

Eligibility

  • Current HCI staff and University of Utah faculty affiliated with HCI (HCI Affiliate, HCI Investigators, CCSG Members), who have demonstrated leadership potential, initiative, and excellence in performance:
    • Staff who have been employed by/within HCI for a minimum of three years and are currently in a manager, sr. manager, associate director, director-type, or project management position
    • Faculty who are employees of the University of Utah and have been an HCI affiliate for a minimum of one year.
  • Employees who can commit to approximately 50 hours of in-person participation during the 10-week course, with the understanding that attendance at all program events is mandatory.
  • Committed to improving their leadership skills and dedicated to fostering an environment of belonging that aligns with HCI’s vision of passionate individuals and teams delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch.

Application Process

  • Submit your application
  • One reference is required
    • Preferably your immediate supervisor, although you may also opt for someone who holds an alternative oversight position.

Selection Process

Participants will be selected by a review committee of HCI executives. Selection will be based on factors including leadership potential, demonstrated initiative, performance and track record, and alignment with HCI’s mission, vision, and values. The reference submission will be taken into consideration; however, the applicant’s own answers to the application questions are the most crucial elements of the review.

  • Applications are due by May 17, 2024.
  • References must be submitted by May 20, 2024.
  • Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by June 3, 2024.

After applicants are selected, we will contact your supervisor to confirm their approval of the time commitment involved. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact LEAD@hci.utah.edu.

Program Fee

The cost from the David Eccles School of Business for the HCI LEAD Program is approximately $5,000 per participant. HCI has generously offered to cover the full cost for staff and the majority for faculty ($3,500). As faculty typically have department-derived faculty development funds, we are requesting the remaining $1,500 to be paid by those funds after acceptance into the program. Limited scholarship funds are available for those who do not have the necessary development funds to cover the $1,500 portion. The contribution will not affect candidacy.

We encourage you to contact the LEAD team for further assistance.

Alumni

2023 Class Members

Sarah Alexander-Fryer

Post Award Grants and Contracts Officer,
HCI Research Administration

Clay Bolton, MBA

Director of Finance

Adriana Coletta, PhD, MS, RD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Health and Kinesiology

Howard Colman, MD, PhD

Professor,
Department of Neurosurgery

Bailee Daniels, MS

Programs Manager

Janis Gunnell, BS

Clinical Nurse Manager,
HCI Clinical Staff Education

Justin Hurst, BS, MBA

Operations Manager,
HCI Strategy and Business Development

Skyler Johnson, MD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Radiation Oncology

Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor,
College of Nursing

Jon Mahlow, MD

Surgical Pathologist,
Department of Pathology

Michelle Mendoza, PhD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Oncological Sciences

Kate Modzelewska, PhD

Associate Director,
Preclinical Research

Jennyffer Morales, MEd, MPhil

Program(s) Manager,
David Wetter Research Program

Gayatri Nachaegari, MS

Program Manager,
Clinical Trials Office

Brock O’Neil, MD

Associate Professor,
Department of Surgery

Sagar Patel, MD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Internal Medicine

Mary Playdon, PhD, MPH, RD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology

Andrew Post, MD, PhD

Director,
HCI Research Informatics

Melanie Ward, BA

Associate Director,
Cancer Center Support Grant