Leadership Trainer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Master Trainer Certification Program
Cardinal Experience
Immersive. Hands-on. Actionable. Impactful.
A one-of-a-kind trainer preparation experience for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practitioners that will enable you to consistently design and facilitate high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings. A path to becoming a Certified Master Trainer for those seeking a community and skills for systemic transformation.
Upcoming Programs
July Cardinal Experience
DATES:
Retreat:
July 14-17, 2026
6 Virtual Sessions
6/25, 6/30, 7/9
7/23, 7/28, 9/15
*See the full schedule below for virtual engagement dates and details.
TUITION:
$2,500
*Early-bird rate ends January 31st. Price increases to $2,800 in Feb.
LOCATION:
Hotel Vance,
Portland, OR
Your Registration Includes...
Just About Everything!
Curated training curriculum led by expert Master 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 modern & inspiring Vance Hotel for all of our nights together.
Meals, snacks, and coffee/tea for the entirety of the Retreat.
Two leadership training-coaching sessions to prepare you to become a Certified Master Trainer.
Unlimited Leadership 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 & Dynamic Location
Hotel Vance, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family of properties, is an ideal location for our Cardinal Experience Certification Program. It is situated in 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.
Our proven Master Trainer preparation experience is guided by 5 objectives:
1. Prepare you to consistently facilitate high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings rooted in dynamic, culturally relevant, and learning-oriented facilitation techniques - specifically experiential activities and reflective dialogue.
2. Engage you in purposeful self-reflection and identity exploration to leverage your understanding of yourself and create spaces of belonging in your training environments.
3. Utilize leadership scholarship to advance your own understanding and practice of leadership for systemic and social transformation.
4. Cultivate a community of exceptional trainers and facilitators on the front lines of justice and equity work.
5. Begin the process of becoming a Certified Master Trainer who can specialize in creating spaces of belonging for diverse audiences.
By effectively completing Leadership Trainer's Certification Program, you will become a knowledgeable, skilled, and dynamic Certified Master Trainer - one who can facilitate diverse training experiences in which your participants can access the training message and material, internalize their learning, and then apply that learning to their own practice.
Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum of the Leadership Trainer Master Certification Program is divided into four key segments: Training and Facilitation Skills, Identity Exploration, Leadership Development, and Community Engagement. Explore the four segments of our Core Curriculum below:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Foundations
Deepen your understanding of DEIB principles to recognize systemic inequalities, interrupt bias, and foster equity-centered approaches in training and facilitations.
Build skills to integrate DEIB frameworks into curriculum design and facilitation, ensuring that content and delivery resonate with and uplift diverse participants.
DEIB Foundations is a standalone outcome, integral to the curricular and experiential opportunities of this program, and the outcomes listed below.
Training & Facilitation Skills
Learn our proven method and framework - the "Training Story" methodology - to design and facilitate consistently high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings.
Enhance your training skills through hands-on practice and direct, individualized feedback from Master Trainers.
Identity Exploration
Explore your values, authentic trainer presence, and the conditions to create welcoming training environments for dynamic and diverse participants.
Learn how to intentionally create spaces of belonging so that all participants are empowered to learn and then apply that learning to their practice.
Leadership Development
Expand your own leadership skills and capacity to be more effective in your work, organization, and communities.
In addition to a selection of curated leadership development sessions based on your particular interests, we utilize these workshops to model the "Training Story" framework so that you can observe, reflect upon, and practice this high-impact method.
Community Engagement
Engage in a nurturing and nourishing environment with like-minded aspiring Master Trainers who are committed to transforming the leadership landscape through trainer preparation and skill enhancement.
Participate in group mentoring experiences where you receive support and healthy challenges to enhance your training practice and prowess.
Retreat Schedule
Activity Key:
Community Engagement
Training Skills
Leadership Development
Identity Exploration
Wellness Practices
Virtual Launch:
Thursday, June 25th, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
Welcome Virtual Retreat. We will launch out Cardinal Experience by focusing on our community. In this first session, we will detail our learning objectives, con-construct community agreements, identify shared language, and reflect on the DEIB landscape.
Virtual Sesson #2:
Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
In our Virtual Session #2, we focus time and attention on relationship building. Through a variety of culturally-responsive activities, we will cultivate relationships that will sustain our learning journey.
Virtual Sesson #3:
Tuesday, July 9th, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
The 3rd Virtual Session will begin to explore some theories that underpin the Cardinal Program. This will include Community Culture Wealth as well as Self-Care. We will also dedicate time to preparing for our Retreat in Portland, OR.
DAY 1: Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
12:30-1:00 PM
Program Check-In
(Lunch on your own before 1:00 PM)
1:00-2:00 PM
Welcome, Introductions, Plan for the Immersion Retreat
2:00-4:00 PM
What is Effective Training & Facilitation?
4:00-5:00 PM
Identity Exploration: Positionality
5:00-6:00 PM
Restoration
6:00-7:00 PM
Community Dinner
7:30-8:30 PM
Creating a Training Story: Rising Action
8:00-8:30 PM
Wellbeing Practices for DEIB Practitioners
8:30-9:00 PM
Evening Check-In
DAY 2: Wednesday, July 15th, 2026
8:00-8:45 AM
Community Breakfast
9:00-9:30 AM
Daily Overview & Check-In
9:30-12:00 PM
Creating a Training Story: Apex
12:00-12:45 PM
Community Lunch
1:00-3:00 PM
Creating a Training Story: Falling Action
3:00-4:00 PM
Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)
4:00-4:45 PM
Identity Exploration: Values
4:45-5:15 PM
Training Observations
5:15-6:30 PM
Restoration
6:30-7:15 PM
Community Dinner
7:15-8:15 PM
Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)
8:15-8:45 PM
Wellbeing Practices for DEIB Practitioners
8:45-9:15 PM
Evening Check-In
DAY 3: Thursday, July 16th, 2026
8:00-8:45 AM
Community Breakfast
9:00-9:30 AM
Daily Overview & Check-In
9:30-10:30 AM
Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)
10:30-12:00 PM
Identity Exploration: Intersections of Identity
12:00-1:30 PM
Working Lunch (Training Observations and Training Lab Preparation)
1:30-5:00 PM
Training Lab
5:00-6:00 PM
Restoration
6:00-7:00 PM
Community Dinner
7:00-7:30 PM
Evening Check-In
7:30-10:00 PM
Celebration: An Evening Out On The Town
DAY 4: Friday, July 17th, 2026
8:00-8:45 AM
Community Breakfast
9:00-9:30 AM
Daily Overview & Check-In
9:30-10:30 AM
Training Story: Exposition
10:30-11:30 AM
Training Story: Resolution
11:30-12:15 PM
Community Lunch
12:30-2:00 PM
Identity Exploration: Critical Approaches to Training
2:00-2:30 PM
Becoming Certified Master Trainers
2:30-4:00 PM
Leadership Learnings, Identity Insights, Training Focus-Areas, and Closing Reflections
Virtual Session #4:
Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
When we gather virtually after our Retreat, this first session will focus on lingering reflections from our time together: What is landing? What questions are lingering? What is having a lasting impression? What needs to be released?
Virtual Session #5:
Tuesday, July 28th, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
These 90-minutes will be structured as a group coaching and mentoring session with a focus on applying learning for the Certification Exams.
Certification Exam:
August & Early September
(Coaching Sessions in advance of Certification Exam Training)
Virtual Session #6:
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
1:00-2:30 PM (Eastern) | 10:00-11:30 (Pacific)
This conclusionary session will be an opportunity for our community to reflect on the lasting learning and impact of the Cardinal Program
What's Included in all of Leadership Trainer's Certification Programs:
Curated Curriculum
MORE...
This is the most comprehensive trainer preparation experience on the market! We intentionally curate this high-impact one-of-a-kind train-the-trainer curriculum to meet your facilitation goals, training up-skill desires, identity exploration needs, and leadership development objectives for each and every Master Trainer Certification Program.
Master Trainers
MORE...
We are Master Trainers and expert facilitators. For every Certification Program each Master Trainer is specially-selected to support your learning and skills development.
Our team understands how to create spaces of belonging where all participants can access the training message, internalize learning, and then apply that learning to their own practice. More, we know how to train you to consistently facilitate high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings.
Engaged Learning
MORE...
The Certification Program is a hands-on learning experience! We learn by doing. We have intentionally crafted this experience to provide you with ample opportunities to actually facilitate experiential learning activities and host reflective dialogue. Moreover, you receive celebrations and healthy critique to strengthen your skills.
Connected Community
MORE...
Like all great professional development experiences, this program is an opportunity to cultivate meaningful and nourishing relationships! By participating in the Certification Program, you will expand your network to include exceptional trainers who are passionate about facilitating amazing and impactful training experiences consistently.
Scholarships & Grants
MORE...
Our 'friendly financial model' makes it easy for you to say, "yes!" With our all-inclusive prices, our Certification Programs provide you with the highest-quality product at the best rate. And for those who need added financial support, we offer scholarships! Following the Certification Program, those who become Certified Master Trainers are eligible for grants to support their training experiences.
Online Resources Hub
MORE...
In addition to your hands-on learning, you will have access to an incredible Community Hub that includes an online library of resources. You'll have access to videos (almost 4 hours of content), downloadable worksheets, and more. Our Community Hub becomes a training and facilitation headquarters for you to access all of the resources and benefits of the Certification Program.
Year-Round Engagement
MORE...
The Certification Program experience is just the beginning! We offer year-round opportunities for you to enhance your training skills and development - and stay connected to our amazing community. This includes live experiences through Jam Sessions and our Community of Practice, digital engagement through social media, and gatherings at conferences and events.
Leadership-Training Coaching
MORE...
Certification Program participants receive two training-coaching sessions to best prepare you to become a Certified Master Trainer. These sessions are designed to ensure you will shine while delivering an exceptional Certification Exam and any other training experiences you facilitate.
Program Manual
MORE...
You will receive the award-winning Preparing Leadership Educators book - written by Leadership Trainer's Executive Director. This incredible resource serves as our go-to training manual. The book includes our 'Training Story' methodology, instructions on how to facilitate 45+ activities, overviews of leadership theories and practices, and more!
Sarah Kutten
Assistant Vice Provost of Students & Belonging
University of Oregon
DJ Kelly-Quattrocchi
Founder & CEO
KQ Consulting & Training
Jonathan Kroll
Founder & Executive Director
Leadership Trainer
Coming Soon
Title/Role
Company
Coming Soon
Title/Role
Company
Our Very-Friendly Financial Model
The Leadership Trainer Certification Program tuition is between $2,500 - $2,800 depending upon early or regular registration rates.
Early registration is between September 1st, 2025 - January 31st, 2026. Early investment is $2,500.
Regular registration is between February 1st, 2026 and June 1st, 2026. Regular investment is $2,800.
We understand that this amount may be cost-exclusive for many of our participants. Therefore we are excited to offer a limited number of scholarships that can assist with lowering the price for those DEIB practitioners who are most in need. To apply for a scholarship, be sure to indicate within your program application that you would like to be considered. If there is any further information required then one of the Master Trainers will be in touch.
What our Participants Have to Say
Over the years, more than 250 participants have completed the Leadership Trainer Certification Program, with 86% rating it a 4- or 5-star experience. Our most recent three cohorts exceeded even that, with over 91% awarding the program top marks. Participants consistently tell us they value not just the experience, but the practical tactics and techniques they immediately apply in their work. Learn about the Certification Program from the lens of our participants:
Thank you for changing my reality about how I am approaching my trainings.
It was transformative and eye opening. Created an inclusive environment for learning and development.
Jonathan approached the group with sincerity and knowledge. Our session was a great mix of activities and reflective work.
Jonathan's training was learner centric, engaging, highly applicable and works for professionals at many levels in their tenure. I was thoroughly impressed, even after seeing so many facilitators over the week.
We're proud to work with organizations across industries and individuals around the globe.
Still Have Questions?
Schedule a time to speak with Leadership Trainer Executive Director, Jonathan Kroll.
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Leadership Trainer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.