Ignite Training

Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or refining your current approach, Ignite offers dynamic, virtual training programs designed to meet you where you are in your leadership journey.

Ignite creates a distinctive learning community that fosters self-awareness and cultivates effective leadership behaviors. Led by experienced trainers, our programs address today’s most pressing leadership challenges using a coaching-based approach that builds in accountability and encourages real-world application.

All programs are delivered virtually, with in-person options available upon request.

To apply discounts (for MichBusiness and Peer Group members) please call or email Therese Smith at 586-393-4396 or tsmith@michbusiness.org.

Leadership Influence Program

This more advanced track picks up where Jumpstart leaves off (although there is no requirement to complete Leadership Jumpstart to enroll) diving into matters of emotional intelligence where participants uncover barriers that may be impacting their relationships and hindering growth.  Assessments uncover natural leadership behaviors, learning styles and conflict resolution approaches providing multiple perspectives that build self-awareness to achieve optimum growth. This course explores relevant topics (enhancing EQ, leadership behaviors (DiSC), training & onboarding, difficult conversations, team building) and offers just-in-time solutions that can be applied immediately within each participant’s unique organizational culture.

Who Should Enroll?

Experienced leaders who have embarked on their leadership journey and are willing to discover new dimensions to their influence and build emotional intelligence. Emerging leaders and high-potentials who are eager to expand their self-awareness and move to the next level.

Virtual Sessions

5 Week Development Program (90-Minute Mid-Day Virtual Sessions)
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm ET

Spring 2026: March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30, May 14
Summer 2026: June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, August 13
Fall 2026: Sept 24, Oct 8, Oct 22, Nov 5, Nov 19

Interested in In-Person Training?

Click below to submit an inquiry for more info

Price: $1,800/student

Multi-student discounts available.

Topic Summary

  • Emotional Intelligence: Building awareness of its impact on the leader
  • Leadership Behavior: Discovering individual leadership styles using the DiSC model
  • Training & Onboarding: Exploring how preferred learning styles impact effectiveness
  • Difficult Conversations: Successfully addressing conflict in relationships
  • Team Building: Developing solid relationships and emotionally intelligent teams
  • Mental Health: Effectively addressing mental health issues in the workplace

Meet Our Trainer

Katie Dykstra
Katie is passionate about helping leaders grow with confidence, clarity, and purpose. As a seasoned executive coach and facilitator, she brings more than two decades of experience guiding professionals to unlock their potential and lead with impact. Katie’s approach blends neuroscience, curiosity, and continuous learning to create transformative leadership experiences that inspire growth and meaningful change. She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Roosevelt University, is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), and a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®). Katie also earned her AI + HI certification through SHRM and teaches graduate-level courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Valparaiso University.

Leadership Jumpstart Program

This highly interactive virtual program ‘jumpstarts” participants’ overall leadership capability and boosts their level of self-awareness. Each session introduces key leadership concepts (adapting to other leadership styles, giving/receiving feedback, handling difficult conversations, effective communications, developing teams) and reinforces learning by exploring concrete experiences. Students discover practical strategies to apply leadership principles within their unique work setting and are accountable to their learning community by sharing the results of newly practiced leadership behaviors.

Who Should Enroll?

Leaders with limited or no formal leadership training. From experienced managers, newly hired managers, team leaders, individual contributors moving into management, and any staff demonstrating the potential to lead.

Virtual Sessions

5 Week Development Program (90-Minute Mid-Day Virtual Sessions)
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm ET

Spring 2026: March 18, April 1, April  15, April  29, May 13
Summer 2026: June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, August 12
Fall 2026: Sept 23, Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4, Nov 18

Price: $1,800/student

Interested in In-Person Sessions?

Click below to submit an inquiry for more info

Topic Summary

  • Leadership Self-Awareness: Understanding individual’s preferred leadership style and learning how to adapt to other styles
  • Feedback: Effectively giving and receiving feedback
  • Conflict: Successfully navigating difficult conversations with peers and direct reports
  • Communications: Attracting, onboarding, engaging & retaining team members using dynamic inquiry
  • Team Development: Building high-performance teams (remote, hybrid or in person)

Meet Our Trainer

Denise Roberts
Denise is a dynamic trainer and coach dedicated to helping leaders build strong, connected teams that thrive on trust, engagement, and collaboration. Known for her high-energy, experiential approach, Denise combines real-world insights with interactive facilitation to spark lasting mindset shifts and measurable results. Her approach inspires participants to take action, create “lightbulb moments,” and achieve game-changing outcomes. With years of experience delivering leadership development programs, Denise brings a proven ability to translate concepts into practical strategies that transform team performance. Her passion lies in empowering leaders to communicate effectively, foster trust, and cultivate environments where people succeed together.

Leadership Presence Program

Elevate how your team shows up, speaks up, and connects. This five-week communication series equips participants to strengthen their executive presence, master emotional self-management, and lead conversations with confidence, clarity, and connection.

Who Should Enroll?

Anyone on your team whose role involves presenting, speaking, or influencing others—whether in meetings, on stage, or in everyday conversations. From experienced managers to newly promoted leaders, team leads to high-potential individual contributors, this training will sharpen communication skills that drive engagement and business results.

Virtual Sessions

Registration Open for 2026 Sessions:
Spring 2026: March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31

Interested in In-Person Training?

Click below to submit an inquiry for more info

Topic Summary

  • Transform self-doubt into a communication advantage.
  • Strengthen the inner language that fuels confident presence.
  • Cultivate quick thinking, trust, and connection through improv and real-time response techniques.
  • Use storytelling to deepen trust, humanize leadership, and move your audience emotionally.
  • Refine delivery skills through peer feedback and real-time coaching

Meet Our Trainer

Kim Boudreau Smith
Kim empowers professionals to elevate their communication presence and speak with bold confidence. With a passion for helping individuals quiet their inner critic, Kim guides clients to express themselves authentically and build meaningful connections with their audiences. She believes that when people communicate from a place of genuine conviction, they don’t just deliver messages—they inspire action and drive change. As an executive coach, facilitator, and speaker, Kim helps clients unlock their voice, show up with clarity, and lead conversations that matter.

What Makes Ignite Training Stick?

  • It’s hands on – not a traditional classroom, students experience just-in-time learning.
  • Program learning occurs over time – allowing for effective assimilation with company culture & role.
  • Learning happens in cohort – reinforcing learning and creating accountability within a community of peers.
  • Cohort size is limited – creating a safe space for building skills & practicing new behaviors.
  • Trainers provide individualized attention – meeting students where they’re at.
  • Trainers follow a coaching model of learning – enhancing self -awareness & inspiring behavior change.

What are students saying about Ignite?

It’s about understanding and applying leadership qualities even in non-management functions. The idea that anyone can be a leader and that it’s more than just a title.

It’s about understanding and applying leadership qualities even in non-management functions. The idea that anyone can be a leader and that it’s more than just a title.

I love the diversity of the people who are participating in the training. I love that we get to work together in the training and share with each other our successes and opportunities. We are not only learning from our trainers, but each other as well.

For More Information

Therese Smith
(586) 393-4396
tsmith@michbusiness.org