Executive Leadership Program Scholarships to Attend DISCUS Academy
Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) Foundation 501(c)3 is pleased to offer three (3) Executive Leadership Program Scholarships to attend the 2023 DISCUS Academy.
The Leadership Certificate Program is an eight-month commitment consisting of virtual and in-person elements.
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation is able to provide these DISCUS scholarship opportunities thanks to the generous support of Beam Suntory.
These scholarships closed on January 31 2023.
2024 Applications will open fall of 2023
Applicants will be chosen based on the following criteria:
Demonstrated leadership potential, initiative and commitment to the industry.
Those who are emerging leaders seeking opportunities to grow and develop.
Applicants should be prepared to engage in self-reflection and introspective work required by this course and be prepared to put their leadership commitment into action following the program.
Only candidates who commit to the involvement and participation in the entire program will be considered.
In selection, we seek diversity in all aspects (to maximize diversity of the cohort
In addition, for Executive Leadership Certificate Program:
5-7 years management experience
Demonstrated responsibility for cross-functional leadership and/or strategy-level decision-making
More Information:
DISCUS Academy is dedicated to developing leaders who are committed to improving the distilled spirits industry and themselves through the Developing Leaders and Executive Leadership Programs. The Executive Leadership Program is an 8-month commitment consisting of virtual and in-person elements. Below is a list of program components, along with the program costs. By submitting this application, you are agreeing to the program fee and participation in each of the program components to the best of your ability.
DISCUS Academy is committed to upholding the principles of diversity and equality in all areas of its work, seeking to ensure that all participants and other stakeholders are always treated fairly and equally. In accordance with this policy, women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
2023 Program Deliverables
University of Kentucky Leadership Program Certificate
DISCUS Academy Leadership Certificate
Predictive Index Report & Content
Leading with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program
Leadership Retreat (hotel and meals included in program fee)
Connected and engaged cohort
Better understanding of the self
Tools to develop skilled leadership
2023 Program Components
March 3, 2023
Introductory Meeting (2 hrs)
Students will meet the other members of their cohort and the course facilitator to establish norms, expectations, and outcomes for the program.
March 17, 2023
Type Indicator Workshop (3 hrs)
The Predictive Index type indicator test provides students with a complete view of their personality within a work environment and provides areas of management strength and areas of improvement.
March 31, 2023
Self-Motivation, Accountability, & Self-Help (2 hrs)
In the workplace, self-awareness is something all employees should strive for. Enabling individuals to have control over their own actions and emotions, a highly self-aware employee is one that takes challenges in stride and reacts in a calm, professional manner. Participants will learn how to be self-aware about their social and emotional needs, to manage stress and care for themselves and their teams.
April 14, 2023
Cultivating Intrapreneurship & Innovation (2 hrs)
Intrapreneurship is a system which allows an employee to act like an entrepreneur within an organization. Intrapreneurs are self-motivated, proactive, and action-oriented people who have leadership skills and think outside the box. Participants will learn how to harness the power of these open innovation ecosystems for their organizations to establish a culture of innovation and growth.
April 28, 2023
Conversations of Race and Allyship in the Workplace
Assists organizations in addressing the current cultural climate regarding racism and discrimination by processing different perspectives around common phrases and sayings used, and how those phrases and sayings contribute to racism. Identification of specific actions employees and leadership can take to support themselves and the organization when acting as an ally – specifically around knowledge, leadership, and culture.
May 12, 2023
Giving & Receiving Feedback (4 hrs)
By examining the way that we give and receive feedback in the workplace, participants will learn to determine what types of feedback are useful, apply a framework to construct feedback that is less open to interpretation and deliver feedback in a way that lowers emotional reactivity.
June 13-15, 2023
DISCUS Annual Conference (optional)
A reception will be held for current and former DISCUS Academy Leadership Program participants at the annual conference.
June – September
Each course is 2 weeks long and students spend 5-7 hours of work on each course.
University of Kentucky Programming
The Psychology of Human Motivation: This module discusses what we know about the science of human motivation. The focus will be on helping participants critically examine and improve the techniques they use to get the most out of the people and teams they work with.
Managing Culture: Organizational culture is a much-heralded key to competitive success, but what exactly is corporate culture and how can it be engineered? This module discusses how to build, assess, and reshape organizational culture.
Competitive strategy: How to decide, develop, and carry out strategic and tactical moves to gain advantage over rivals.
Competitive intelligence: Alertness and responsiveness to shifting industry, social, technological, and regulatory trends; How to identify rivals, their strengths and weaknesses, and anticipate their strategic and tactical moves)
M&A and integration challenges: Mergers and acquisitions are a regular occurrence in the spirits industry. What are financial and strategic motivations for M&A activity? How to effectively integrate companies after the merger or acquisition.
June 23, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
July 14, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
August 4, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
August 25, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
September 15, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
October 6, 2023 - Monthly Cohort Call (1 hr)
October 22-25, 2023
Leadership Retreat (mandatory)
Students will join with the other leadership program cohorts for in-person development, networking, team building, and community service. A mandatory part of the program, the retreat culminates in a graduation awards dinner to acknowledge the hard work of all participants.