CEB 0301-C1 | Executive Leadership Academy: Leadership Effectiveness, Communication, and Coaching Certificate
Started Jan 1, 2026
13.5 CEUs
Full program description
CEB 0301 | Executive Leadership Academy: Leadership Effectiveness, Communication, and Coaching Program
Cohort 1 - August 17-December 20, 2026
Added bonus of this program: This professional development program is considered a gateway program. This means that upon the successful completion of the CE program, participants will have the option to request (with a fee of $1500) transfer of their continuing education units (CEU's) to up to 9 academic credits. To learn more about this and pay for the transfer fee click here: Transfer Fee-CE to Academic Credit
Course Description:
The Leadership Effectiveness, Communication, & Coaching Certificate equips leaders with tools to build strong relationships, navigate conflict, and develop others through effective coaching. Participants apply leadership concepts directly to real workplace situations while gaining insight into their own leadership behaviors and communication styles. This program consists of 9 microlearning offerings.
At the completion of the CES program, applicants may apply to CUW and transfer the completed 13.5 CEU's to receive 9 academic credits that will apply toward the graduate leadership certificate. Participants would then enroll in one more leadership course (per catalog) in order to complete the Graduate Certificate in Leadership.
At completion of the certificate, participants have the option to stop out or continue on and complete either the MSLOC or the MBA program with a concentration in Leadership.
Program Map:
Presenter Bios:
Dr. Amber Gray, Concordia University Professor
Amber Gray serves as the Director of Academic Innovation and Professor of Accounting at Concordia University Wisconsin. She earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy and Master of Science in Accountancy from Western Michigan University and began her professional career in public accounting with KPMG LLP. After advancing through a variety of corporate accounting and finance roles, she later served as CFO and Controller of Alaris, a Michigan-based medical and vocational case management organization.
While successful in industry, Amber discovered that her greatest professional passion lay in higher education. Her teaching career began in 2003 while completing her graduate studies at Western Michigan University. Since that time, she has held faculty and leadership roles at Cleary University, Eastern Michigan University, Adrian College, and Walsh College.
In 2021, Amber earned her Doctor of Education in Leadership, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement. In her current role with the Batterman School of Business, she focuses on advancing innovative academic programs, expanding continuing and executive education, and designing interdisciplinary, career-relevant learning pathways that support the evolving needs of students, employers, and the broader university community.
Dr. Joey-Lynn Bialkowski-Peterson
Dr. Joey-Lynn Bialkowski-Peterson is a leadership and organizational development consultant, certified executive coach, and Founder & CEO of The Leadership Studio, LLC. She partners with Fortune 100–500 organizations to design and scale leadership development strategies that strengthen organizational capability, accelerate performance, and align talent with business outcomes.
With nearly two decades of experience across corporate, higher education, and workforce ecosystems, Dr. Bialkowski-Peterson is known for translating leadership theory into practical, results-driven application. Her work spans enterprise-wide learning and development curriculum design, leadership competency frameworks, and high-impact facilitation that equips leaders at all levels to drive measurable outcomes.
As a trusted organizational development partner, she has led initiatives focused on advancing leadership pipelines, enhancing employee engagement, and embedding cultures of accountability, feedforward, and continuous growth. Her portfolio includes large-scale facilitation and curriculum development for complex organizations, as well as workforce readiness initiatives through programs such as the State of California College Corps, the NBA, and NFL.
Dr. Bialkowski-Peterson brings a unique blend of executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience. She is a former co-founder of an EdTech company and previously served as Executive Director of Career Engagement & Industry Relations, where she built strategic industry partnerships and scalable career readiness models that bridged education and workforce demands.
A former higher education executive, academic leader and professor, she has led enrollment, student success, and career engagement functions, and has taught undergraduate through doctoral-level courses in business, leadership, and organizational behavior. Her work is grounded in the belief that self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership—and when scaled intentionally, it becomes a competitive advantage for organizations.
Recognized for her engaging executive presence and thought leadership, Dr. Bialkowski-Peterson empowers organizations to move beyond insight to execution—developing leaders who consistently deliver on both the outputs and outcomes that drive business success.
Dr. Kim Schave, Concordia University Professor
Dr. Kim Schave is a Certified Public Accountant who has also served as a nonprofit leader and Lutheran Deaconess. She has more than 20 years of experience teaching college accounting and business courses. She brings extensive expertise in management, finance and accounting, development, grant writing, and volunteer leadership, with professional experience spanning for-profit and nonprofit organizations as well as higher education. Dr. Schave also served as a military police officer in the Ohio Army National Guard. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (Business Management concentration) from Eastern University, an MA in Theology with Deaconess certification from Concordia Theological Seminary, a Certificate in Business Management for Nonprofit Leaders from Washington University, and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati.