By Arrick Garringer—
MUNCIE— IN—Beginning on Monday July 24th, the longtime leadership coach began working to deepen existing relationships with SLA member organizations and connecting new members to the region’s premiere professional development organization.
“I have long advocated for Shafer in the many facets of my life and regularly refer individuals and organizational leaders to SLA’s many resources, so the transition to this formal role seems like a natural evolution,” said Ward, who was the executive director for Learner Experience at Ball State University. “A membership with Shafer Leadership Academy is not a purchase but rather an investment an organization makes in its own established and emerging leaders. Shafer offers continuous engagement through foundational and contemporary programming, and I am proud to be part of the team.”
SLA Executive Director Mitch Isaacs said Ward is the perfect fit for this new role to serve as the point person for member organizations and to draw new organizations to the benefits of membership, which include unlimited access to coffee talks, lunch and learns, and workshops. Membership also provides organizations with discounts to SLA’s signature program, Emergence, an eight-week, highly interactive program for leaders.
“Ted brings a unique combination of skills and qualities to the membership director position, with proven experience, including growing membership for the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana,” Isaacs said. “Ted has facilitated many Shafer Leadership Academy programs, he owns his own leadership coaching business, and he has a longtime commitment to and connections in the region.”
Within the year, Ward will graduate with a doctorate in philosophy, with a focus on leadership, from the University of the Cumberland. He is the CEO of Achieve Onward, which provides individuals with personalized coaching, and has served Ball State for more than 23 years in a variety of student and faculty coaching and support roles.
“My personal mission is to endeavor to encourage, inspire and support the growth and development among the people with whom I have influence,” Ward said. “My professional goals in life and how I operate align with Shafer Leadership Academy and in particular this role.”
The Indiana native said he is eager to travel throughout the region to connect with SLA members and to meet organizational leaders in the manufacturing and higher education as well as the nonprofit, association and service industries.
Ward said he has enjoyed facilitating programs in the past, so he hopes to continue to lead workshops and support efforts like the Tipton Youth Leadership Program. Throughout 2022, Ward engaged Tipton youth about the most pressing issues in the community, then challenged them to develop service projects to address those issues.
“All people have the capacity to lead,” Ward said. “Leadership is often about taking a risk, stepping outside our comfort zone, and sharing experiences with others along our journey. The earlier we start to develop a leadership mindset and related skills, the more practice we have as we move through our education and career development.”
Find a program and learn more about Shafer Leadership Academy at shaferleadership.com. Congratulate Ward on his new role or connect with him about SLA membership at tward@sharferleadership.com.
About Shafer Leadership Academy
Shafer Leadership Academy provides inclusive leadership development so that people, organizations, and communities reach their full potential. Empowering people to inspire positive change in their community— our participants excel in their careers, enrich the lives of others and transform their communities.
Our Community Programs facilitate powerful exercises and enlightening interactions with others so you can discover what effective leadership is for yourself. The result? You’re provided with a unique understanding of how YOU can personally lead others and be a catalyst for change in the communities and organizations you represent.
Our Custom Programs provide organizations the unique ability to create a program that fits the individual leadership development needs of their team. By utilizing Shafer Leadership Academy’s expertise and resources, organizations can construct exactly what they need; from a single-day event to a comprehensive staff development program.
Shafer Leadership Academy is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
