Pillar 1
Leadership identity
- Identity Shift - Staff to Leader
- Leadership Mindset & Responsibility
- Self-Awareness as a Leader
Leadership Foundations
Step into leadership with clarity.
A practical, self-paced course for emerging leaders in nonprofit and community health settings who are ready to lead people with confidence, accountability, and care.
Why this matters
Most new leaders are promoted before they are prepared.
-
01
The role changes fast.
You move from doing the work yourself to guiding people, expectations, and outcomes.
-
02
The pressure gets personal.
Communication, accountability, and discomfort become part of your daily leadership rhythm.
-
03
The work still needs care.
Strong leadership protects clients, staff, programs, and community trust.
Who this is for
For people stepping into responsibility.
Designed for first-time leaders, team leads, supervisors, doulas, community health workers, program staff, and emerging nonprofit managers.
-
A
You now support other people.
You need language, structure, and confidence for coaching, feedback, and accountability.
-
B
You want leadership to feel less reactive.
You want practical tools you can use in real conversations, not theory that stays in a slide deck.
What you'll learn
Five pillars. One clear path.
The curriculum is grouped so learners know exactly where to focus at each stage.
Pillar 2
Core people skills
- Communication as a Leader
- Coaching & Developing Others
- Balancing Support & Standards
Pillar 3
Accountability
- Boundaries & Accountability
- Follow-Through & Accountability
- Leading Through Discomfort
Pillar 4
Operational leadership
- Time & Priority Management
- Decision-Making for New Leaders
- Systems Thinking Introduction
Pillar 5
Presence and equity
- Professional Presence
- Cultural Humility & Client-Centered Care
How it works
Simple enough to finish. Practical enough to use.
Learn at your pace
Short, focused modules make the course easier to complete around real work.
Apply as you go
Reflection prompts and scenarios help learners connect each lesson to their role.
Finish with proof
Complete the assessment and receive a Leadership Foundations certificate.
Course curriculum
A focused foundation for leading people well.
Expand each section when you want the details. Keep scanning when you just need the big picture.
Leadership identity and awareness
Identity Shift, Leadership Mindset, and Self-Awareness help learners understand what changes
when they move from staff member to leader.
Core leadership and coaching skills
Communication, coaching, and balancing support with standards create the people skills new
leaders need most often.
Accountability and difficult conversations
Boundaries, follow-through, and leading through discomfort help leaders address issues clearly
without losing care or professionalism.
Operations, decisions, and systems
Time management, decision-making, and systems thinking help leaders move work forward without
carrying everything themselves.
Professional presence and cultural humility
Learners strengthen credibility, client-centered care, and equity-minded leadership habits.
Questions
Before you enroll.
Do learners need prior leadership experience?
No. This course is built for people stepping into leadership or preparing for a first
leadership role.
Is there a certificate?
Yes. Learners receive a Leadership Foundations certificate from A&V Academy for Maternal &
Child Health after completion.
Is this only for maternal health professionals?
No. The examples fit maternal health and community health, but the leadership skills apply
across nonprofit and service-based teams.
Can organizations use this for staff training?
Yes. The course works well for team leads, supervisors, and emerging leaders across an
organization.
Ready to begin?
Lead with clarity, care, and accountability.
A practical foundation for people who are ready to support staff, make decisions, and strengthen the teams serving families and communities.