The Sundance Leader Session combines deep learning in strategic leadership communication and Admired Leadership behaviors in an atmosphere that ignites the senses and inspires creativity at this world-renowned destination. Leaders will engage in topics such as leading through change, motivating and driving performance, communicating strategic direction, cultivating advocates and building social capital, and more. The program is designed to promote individual learning, meaningful connection, and rich peer dialogue.
The Sundance experience was transformative. The combination of rich content, unique setting, and diverse cohort helped me not only hone my own leadership and communication skills, but also to take the learning back and elevate the impact of my entire team. We’re more capable and credible advisors because of it.
— Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Multinational Fortune 500 Fast Food Chain
Date & Location
June 22-27, 2025
Sundance, Utah
Who Should Attend
The ideal Sundance Leader session participant should be a leader of people with current significant responsibility and “high potential” for increasing levels of management or leadership complexity. It is designed for Director, Vice President, and Managing Director level leaders.
Faculty
Alan Nelson is Co-Managing Partner of CRA | Admired Leadership, and co-founder of the Strategic Communication Academy at Sundance.
Carolynne Thomas is a Partner in CRA | Admired Leadership’s Strategic Communication Practice, and co-founder of the Strategic Communication Academy at Sundance.
Accommodations
Sundance Resort, situated high in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, is only 60 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. This idyllic setting offers a unique blend of environmental conservation and artistic expression, reflecting Robert Redford’s vision since he acquired the property in 1969. Known for its winter skiing and year-round artistic workshops, professional meetings, and leisure, Sundance is the perfect location for our Academy—far enough away to prompt serious reflection, small enough to foster real relationships, rustic enough to be authentically Western, and sophisticated enough to be truly enjoyable. We love it there, and expect you will, too.
Sundance Mountain Resort
8841 N. Alpine Loop Road
Sundance, Utah 84604
The Core Sessions
The core sessions consist of more than 20 hours of content interwoven with group activities designed to encourage reflection and dialogue. A sampling of content topics include:
- Assumptions of Leadership Communication
- Communicating Strategic Direction and Leading Through Change
- Cultivating Advocates and Building Social Capital
- Using Communication to Motivate, Inspire, and Drive Performance
- Projecting Credibility and Executive Presence
- Propelling Organizational Change
- What You Don’t Know About Building Relationships
- Why Should Anyone Follow You?
- Why the Right Talent is Trying to Find You, Too
Recreational Activities
While the material is challenging and the classroom time intense, the Academy also offers participants a unique opportunity to think, reflect, and get perspective through scheduled and elective experiences with their peers. These include shared meals; an opportunity for pottery or silversmithing classes, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or horseback riding; and unstructured time.
Next Steps
To learn more about this experience, please leave your information in the form below and a team member will reach out to you.