Applications now closed for the Class of 2026 and will reopen Fall 2025 for Class of 2027 applications.
Program Application & Fees
There are no application fees and tuition is covered by AmericanHort.
Applicants are notified of the selection outcome by in May and will be required to provide written acceptance no later than in June. The class will be formally announced at Cultivate. Class members are encouraged to be present during the announcement, but it not a requirement. Travel to the Cultivate/announcement is at the class member’s expense.
The Horticultural Research Institute values talent and seeks to select the best candidates irrespective of their ability to pay. AmericanHort has made a generous financial commitment to make this possible by covering application fees, tuition, and housing and meal costs during in-person sessions for all students.
Once accepted to the program, students will be required to provide a $500 deposit, which is refundable upon successful completion of the program. The deposit is our effort to ensure your commitment to completing the program. Please contact us if you will need travel fund assistance, as stipends may be awarded based on a demonstrated need.
Applications now closed for the Class of 2026 and will reopen Fall 2025 for Class of 2027 applications.
Phase One
Candidates complete a brief written application online, including background information, and a resume.
Deadline to apply: February 7.
Phase Two
Following committee review, selected candidates will advance to the second phase of the application process. This includes a more detailed written application, two letters of recommendation, and additional consent forms. Candidates will be asked to confirm that they have a documented personal and employer commitment or plan for the time required both professionally and personally to participate in the HRI Leadership Academy
Deadline to complete: February 26.
Phase Three
Following a committee review, finalists will be invited to participate in the final phase—a video interview with the HRI Leadership Academy review panel. Interviews will be held in April. The results of the interviews are used to select a class. In addition to information gained from the application, essay, and interviews, consideration is given to industry segment, maturity, commitment to personal development, geographic location, and other factors in selecting the members of the class.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are evaluated on:
Evidence of demonstrated leadership qualities plus potential qualities as illustrated by industry and community involvement, or other activities as shown on the application
Evidence on the nature of the applicant’s probable contribution to the green industry and/or related areas through growth experiences gained from the program
Evidence of ability to consider the broad interest of the greater community
The likelihood to grow as an individual because of this experience
The applicant’s character, reputation, and personal life, as evidenced by references and/or by inquiry in the industry; must be of high quality and reflect potential leadership capability
The applicant’s personal and employer commitment and plan to participate in all the classes and activities
The applicant’s demonstrated leadership experience and relevant industry work experience as shown on the application
Program Requirements
Candidates must:
Demonstrate strong leadership ability or potential
Demonstrate active participation in the green industry
Be an AmericanHort member or employed by an AmericanHort member company
Demonstrate commitment to the time required to participate in all HRI Leadership Academy activities
Demonstrate a commitment to remain in the green industry during the 12-month program and beyond
Preference is given to candidates with at least five years leadership experience and seven years relevant industry work experience
LEAD Project Details
The LEAD Project is the culmination of the HRI Leadership Academy. We know that participants become better leaders when they learn from current, real-world opportunities and challenges versus applying concepts to a theoretical case study. Developed over the course of the program, the LEAD Project provides participants (typically in groups of three to four) with a safe environment to explore ideas to better their businesses and the industry.
Teams examine a real-world issue or opportunity facing businesses or the industry and recommend a business or industry improvement, investment, or solution. In the end, participants will leave with hands-on, relevant experience with innovative and realistic ideas for business and industry consideration.
LEAD Project
Learn and research an issue
Engage with team and others
Adopt a position and solution
Deliver final plan and recommendations
The LEAD project development process consists of:
Research the situation: data-driven where possible, interviews with experts encouraged
Pose a hypothesis
Assess the business or industry
impact of possible solutions
Make the case for change
Recommend a solution and course
of action
Receive program and industry
coaching throughout
Presentations given at Cultivate
Program Outline
The HRI Leadership Academy is a one-year program consisting of in-person training sessions, virtual online classes and meetings, and a LEAD Project and presentation.
The four in-person training sessions are focused on hands-on learning and are professionally taught by leading business and leadership coaches and green industry subject matter experts. Classroom training provides a structured learning environment where participants will learn new concepts and skills supported with reinforcement tactics, such as group discussions and individual/group exercises, throughout the session. Participants will leave each session with an assignment to apply what they’ve learned in class to their day-to-day work environment.
Between in-person sessions, participants will continue individual and small group work and attend one virtual classroom session. Virtual classroom sessions follow this real world application to provide participants the opportunity to share what they’ve learned with one another, discuss their successes and challenges, and garner strategies for going forward. The experience culminates with small group projects focusing on a real-world green industry business challenge. Groups will present their project at the final in-person session at Cultivate.
SESSION 1
Assessing Business Strategy
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Competitive Positioning: Explore key business principles necessary to effectively grow your business and remain competitive in today’s environment.
KEY CONCEPTS
- Introduction to leadership
- Understanding company strategy, mission, vision, values, and culture
- Value proposition
- Competitive positioning
- Market forces
- Industry trends
- Research trends
SESSION 2
Leadership & People Management
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Influence: Improve your leadership and people management maturity with a focus on small to medium business environments and leading teams typical to those environments.
KEY CONCEPTS
- Fundamentals of business leadership vs. people management
- Making the transition from “doer” to “leader”
- Finding and retaining talent
- Identifying strengths to help employees become more successful
- Communicating effectively, including conflict resolution
- Setting a good management cadence
- Creating an effective leadership style
- Civic leadership
SESSION 3
Numbers & Advocacy—Driving Success
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Financial Acumen & Advocacy Acuity: Understand business operations, including KPIs, cash flow, growth initiative prioritization, and the overall ability to judge business success. Understand our political system and learn ways leaders can enhance their influence and effectiveness.
KEY CONCEPTS
- Reading an income statement and understanding cash flow
- Understanding inventory velocity and return on assets
- Determining and prioritizing growth initiatives
- Judging business success: financial and non-financial KPIs
- Understanding the political system and how government decisions impact business environments
- Advocacy tips and tools for positively influencing policy and politics to enhance business success
SESSION 4
Managing the Value Chain
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Effectiveness & Efficiency: Learn effective techniques for marketing, sales, and operations, including successfully managing supplier and customer relationships and negotiating to win.
KEY CONCEPTS
- Managing vendors and suppliers
- Understanding buyer dynamics
- Driving sales
- Building and leveraging brands/marketing
- Negotiating