The Rainmaker Academy®

Leader Development Programs

Customized programs that strengthen your talent pipeline across the entire career journey, helping to ensure your firm’s long-term success.

Our Leader Development Programs can be tailored to every level in your firm – from new associates to experienced leaders. By building and retaining your leadership pipeline, high-potential talent is equipped with the tools needed to sustain your organization’s growth well into the future.

Leader Development Programs

Structured programs designed to build the mindset, strategy, skills, and accountability to lead firms, teams, and people at every level.

Executive Leader Program

12-18 Months (up to 72 CE hours)

Experienced leaders develop capabilities to build trust, foster accountability, strengthen collaboration, navigate conflict, and create high-performing teams aligned around a common purpose. Through an engaging mix of workshops, coaching, assessments, and application, participants are better equipped to lead at the highest levels of the firm.

Partners, principals, practice leaders, department leaders, and experienced managers responsible for leading teams and driving firm performance.

Equips leaders with the skills, frameworks, and confidence needed to build high-performing teams, strengthen firm culture, and create accountability that drives sustainable results.

  • Hybrid experience
  • Four in‐person workshops
  • Virtual sessions
  • Four individual coaching sessions
  • Leadership presence
  • Strategic communication
  • Trust-building
  • Coaching and feedback
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Client leadership
  • Networking
  • Influence
  • Delegation
  • Accountability

Authentic Leader Program

9-12 Months (up to 24 CE hours)

Through facilitated workshops, peer collaboration, leadership coaching, and practical application, participants strengthen their ability to communicate strategically, build influence, coach others, lead client relationships, and navigate complex leadership situations with confidence and authenticity.

Senior managers, directors, partner-track professionals, and new leaders responsible for influencing teams, clients, and firm growth.

Develops confident, authentic leaders who build trust, inspire action, strengthen relationships, and create measurable impact across clients, teams, and the firm.

  • Hybrid experience
  • 2-3 in-person workshops
  • Virtual sessions
  • Peer group coaching
  • Practical application
  • Leadership presence
  • Strategic communication
  • Trust-building
  • Coaching and feedback
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Client leadership
  • Networking
  • Influence
  • Delegation
  • Accountability

Emerging Leader Program

9-18 Months (up to 24 CE hours)

Through a blend of facilitated in-person workshops, virtual learning sessions, peer discussion, and practical application, participants build the skills needed to communicate effectively, manage priorities, strengthen professional relationships, deliver exceptional client experiences, and increase their influence within the firm.

High-potential professionals, senior associates, supervisors, and future leaders preparing for increased responsibility.

Develops the mindset, communication skills, influence, and business acumen needed to lead relationships, contribute strategically, and prepare for future leadership roles.

  • Hybrid experience
  • 2-3 in-person workshops
  • Virtual sessions
  • Peer group coaching
  • Practical application
  • Communication and influence
  • Professional presence
  • Coaching and feedback
  • Relationship development
  • Client experience
  • Personal productivity
  • Business communication
  • Leadership readiness

Leader Essentials Program

6-12 Months (8-16 CE hours)

Through facilitated workshops, practical exercises, and real-world application, participants develop professional habits, communication skills, and relationship-building capabilities needed to contribute effectively, build credibility, and establish a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

New professionals, associates, and emerging contributors preparing to take on greater responsibility.

Builds the foundational professional, communication, and relationship skills that serve as the cornerstone of future leadership success.

  • Hybrid experience
  • One in-person workshop
  • Two virtual sessions
  • Three peer group coaching sessions
  • Professional communication
  • Active listening
  • Personal brand development
  • Career planning
  • Relationship building
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Professional presence
  • Workplace effectiveness

“Being a part of Rainmaker has been both mind-changing and habit-changing. It makes one accountable for the activities one knows they should be doing, but without Rainmaker, they may let opportunities slip by.”

Terri Cogan Senior Manager | Wipfli LLP

“Even though I’ve done hundreds of presentations throughout my career, the focus, approach, and tips promoted by the Rainmaker Academy have made a major improvement in my effectiveness.”

Blake Roe Partner | Plante Moran

“You challenged me, you pushed me, you made me better equipped to market myself and my firm, and for that I thank you. The new reality is that I am a better professional today than I was 18 months ago when this journey began.”

Ward Austin Member | FMC CPAs, PLLC

“I can’t tell you how much this experience has meant to me. Hands down it has been the best training program I have ever participated in. Thank you for an outstanding experience. Clearly one of the best business investments I’ve ever made!”

Bradford Hatchett Managing Partner | Grantham Poole

“The Rainmaker Academy has changed my behavior. I spend more time in my week reaching out to prospects and referrals.  It is something that I am doing as part of my every day. It has been a huge help in allowing more time for connecting with others.”

Kathy Jensen Partner | CST Group

“The Rainmaker Academy program provides the perfect structure on which to base our business development efforts. Without question, it provides outstanding professional development opportunities and a very high return on our investment of time and money.”

Mike Parton Managing Principal | Coulter & Justus, P.C.

“Since graduating from the Rainmaker program, I have been able to leverage the skills I learned to increase new business sales in consecutive years. In the fiscal year leading up to my promotion, I sold just under $200,000 in new business across several service lines.”

Lance Drummond Principal | Clark Schaefer Hackett

“I could not be more happy with The Rainmaker Academy program. Using skills learned in the class, I am getting referrals on a regular basis, selling new projects to existing clients and bringing in new clients to the firm. If you put in the work, this class will pay for itself.”

Reed Chase Partner, Assurance Practice Head | Tanner

“Rainmaker took a refreshingly different approach to selling – one rooted in understanding our clients as people first. Their training was highly practical and grounded in real-world experience. The program brought our global firm closer and strengthened our ability to serve clients as one team.”

Kaitlyn Cockcroft Senior Manager, R&D Credits | Forvis Mazars

“I have been a part of various trainings focused on sales and business development. Probably the most focused, formal training I have received was The Rainmaker Academy. During the program, I was able to close the deal on over $800,000 worth of business.”

Sandy Shoemaker Partner | Plante Moran

“The results have been exceptional. From a pure ROI standpoint, the program has more than paid for itself. But what stands out even more is the development of our people and the positive impact on our clients. These aren’t just better rainmakers – they’re better advisors and teammates.”

John Lauseng Chief Executive Officer and Partner | Aldrich

“The Rainmaker team took the time to have a conversation … They didn’t ask ‘What do you need?’ but rather, ‘How does what you need fit into your goals?’ ”

Brett Settles Director of Learning and Development | PKF O’Connor Davies

Interested in a Custom Program?

We offer customizable programs for firms or associations with specific talent development needs based on any one or a combination of our standard programs.

Contact us for more information.