A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Upcoming Programs
July Cardinal Experience
July 14th - 17th 2026
Portland, Oregon
(Hotel Vance)
$2,500
Core Curriculum:
Training and Facilitation Skills
- Learn our proven method and framework - the 'Training Story" to design and facilitate consistently high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings.
- Enhance your training skills through hands-on practice - and feedback from Master Trainers
Identity Exploration
- Explore your values, authentic trainer presence, and abilities to meet dynamic and diverse participants where they are at.
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Learn how to intentionally create spaces of belonging so that all participants are empowered to learn and then apply that learning to their practice... where it matters most.
Leadership Development
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Expand your own leadership skills and capacity to be more effective in your work, organization, and communities.
- In addition to these curated leadership development themes, we utilize these sessions to model the 'Training Story' framework so you get to participate in, observe, reflect upon, and practice this high-impact method.
Community Engagement
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Engage in a nurturing and nourishing environment with like-minded aspiring Master Trainers who are serious about transforming the leadership landscape through trainer preparation.
- Participate in a group mentoring experience where you receive support and (healthy) challenge to enhance your training practice.
Retreat Schedule
Community Engagement
Facilitation Skills
Leadership Development
Identity Exploration
Day #1: Monday, June 9th, 2024
Day #2: Tuesday, June 10th, 2024
Day #3: Wednesday, June 11th, 2024
Day #4: Thursday, June 12th, 2024
Program Elements
Master Trainers
Our Very-Friendly Financial Model
The Leadership Trainer Certification Program costs between $2,400 - $2,600.
We understand that this amount may be cost-exclusive for many of our participants.
We have created an exciting, friendly financial structure that includes:
Scholarships:
Scholarships can reduce the program to only $1,600!
Over 90% of our participants receive scholarships!
Grants:
Upon becoming a Certified Leadership Trainer, our participants can apply for exclusive grants to support their leadership programming!
With Scholarships and Grants, the cost of the
Leadership Trainer Certification Program could be $0!
What Our Participants Say
“The most meaningful portions of this experience have been the opportunities to put into practice what we’ve been learning. We’ve broken off into small groups and practiced aspects of the narrative training approach. And we’ve gotten feedback from people which has been really valuable.” - Rachel, 2022
“Coming to this training together allowed me the opportunity to bounce ideas off of my colleague.” - Jamal and Heaven, 2022
“I am critically engaged and asked to reflect along the way where most conferences your only reflection is an assessment at the end.” - Terrian, 2022
“The fact that they’re not just teaching experiential learning but they’re doing that through experiential learning… I can already see how the learning will be different and more enriched by following this method.” - Sarah, 2022
“What was really unique about this experience is that we didn’t just go through the narrative approach to facilitation but we also experienced it with some of our deeper dives… like identity exploration components that helped us see how and who we are in order to apply that to our facilitation.” - Robin, 2022
“I have grown professionally… looking at facilitation from a different lens. Not as a professor in a classroom being so much more conventional but making a deliberate or intentional decision to facilitate.” - Nicole, 2022
“I’ve definitely grown and gotten out of my comfort zone through this program.” - Justin, 2022
“Not only did we leave with hands-on practical resources and experiences but we also built a community.” - Jagan, 2022
“I think you’re going to get so much more out of this training than you ever thought you possibly could.” - Erica, 2022
“The Leadership Trainer Certification Program is so important because these are things that you don’t necessarily naturally have. You’re not born knowing how to train or lead others in many cases. People are more effective if they a strategy or framework to work from. We utilize the narrative framework and guide folks through the different stages of that framework and then give them hands-on tactical skills that they can then apply in their own settings.” - Sarah, 2022 Master Trainer
“I wanted to be a part of this because this is such a unique program. There are very few, if any, leadership trainer opportunities. Most of the time we are learning to be great leaders.. but we aren’t learning how to facilitate workshops… the unique skillsets and tools and framework to actually facilitate really good leadership training opportunities.” - Chantelle, 2022 Master Trainer
“With the narrative approach and experiential learning you get to see real-time application of what folks learn and that’s the difference with Leadership Trainer.” Daymyen, 2022 Master Trainer
“This experience has been completely transformational for me.” - Erika, 2019
“I was never a confident person and [others] could feel that during day 1 and day 2… but now, I absorbed so much knowledge from this experience that I feel it and I know that I can use it every single day.” - Reba, 2019
“This has been quite a life changing experience for me. We learned so much not only about how to train others, but about ourselves and our leadership skills.” - Flor, 2019
“Honestly this is the best training I have ever been to.” - Wanda, 2019
“It was fun. It was challenging. We felt because of the challenge the need to rely on each other so there was a lot of connection and networking that happened and I really think that I’m leaving here today with new, strong, long lasting friendships.” - Six, 2019
“We live in a climate now where we keep waiting for someone to come in and rescue us… but I think what I’ve learned the most is that I go back to my community and it starts with me.” - Habibah, 2019
“I am leaving more authentic, more self-reflective.” - Aura, 2019
“I wanted to be a part of this because this is such a unique program. There are very few, if any, leadership trainer opportunities. Most of the time we are learning to be great leaders.. but we aren’t learning how to facilitate workshops… the unique skillsets and tools and framework to actually facilitate really good leadership training opportunities.” - Chantelle, 2022 Master Trainer
“With the narrative approach and experiential learning you get to see real-time application of what folks learn and that’s the difference with Leadership Trainer.” Daymyen, 2022 Master Trainer
“This experience has been completely transformational for me.” - Erika, 2019
“I was never a confident person and [others] could feel that during day 1 and day 2… but now, I absorbed so much knowledge from this experience that I feel it and I know that I can use it every single day.” - Reba, 2019
“This has been quite a life changing experience for me. We learned so much not only about how to train others, but about ourselves and our leadership skills.” - Flor, 2019
“Honestly this is the best training I have ever been to.” - Wanda, 2019
“It was fun. It was challenging. We felt because of the challenge the need to rely on each other so there was a lot of connection and networking that happened and I really think that I’m leaving here today with new, strong, long lasting friendships.” - Six, 2019
“We live in a climate now where we keep waiting for someone to come in and rescue us… but I think what I’ve learned the most is that I go back to my community and it starts with me.” - Habibah, 2019
“I am leaving more authentic, more self-reflective.” - Aura, 2019
Registration Inclusions
It's More Than Just the Retreat!
Curated training curriculum led by expert facilitators.
Networking and relationship-building with a community of passionate leadership trainers.
Hands-on learning opportunities to experiment with dynamic facilitation techniques.
Hard-copy training resources including the Preparing Leadership Educators book.
A year-long subscription to our virtual resources including videos and downloadable worksheets.
Lodging at the tranquil, beach-side Mercy By The Sea Retreat Center for all of our nights together.
Meals, snacks, and coffee/tea for the entirety of the Retreat.
Airport or train pick-ups and drop-offs.
Two leadership training-coaching sessions to prepare you to become a Certified Master Trainer.
Unlimited Leadership Trainer Jam Sessions with our community of Certified Leadership Trainers
Reduced pricing for other Leadership Trainer programming and resources.
Grants to support the leadership training initiatives of our Certified Master Trainers!
OUR AMAZING AND DYNAMIC LOCATION
HOTEL VANCE, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Hotel Vance, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family of properties, is an ideal location for our Cardinal Experience Certification Program. It is situated n the heart of Portland's Cultural District. The name, "Vance," is short for "Advance," and embodies a commitment to fostering fresh ideas and pushing boundaries.
Hotel Vance, only 30-minutes from the Portland International Airport is nestled amidst the city's vibrant culture, including Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society Museum, Portland Center for Performing Arts, the famed and extensive Portland Farmer's Market, Portland State University, public art, and numerous statues.
We're proud to work with organizations across industries. A selection includes:
Questions?
Schedule a time to speak with Jonathan below!
Prefer to contact a Leadership Trainer directly? Call Jonathan at 609.915.4115 or email him at [email protected]
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