Leadership Trainer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Master Trainer Certification Program

Immersion Retreat

Immersive. Hands-on. Actionable. Impactful.

A one-of-a-kind 3.5-day trainer preparation experience that will enable you to consistently facilitate high-impact, high-engagement, and high-enjoyment trainings. A path to becoming a Certified Master Trainer in one amazing retreat!

Upcoming Programs

Northeast Immersion Retreat

DATES:

June 8-11, 2026

TUITION:

$2,600 - $3,000*

*Based on Room Occupancy, Shared or Single

LOCATION:

Mercy By The Sea Retreat Center,

Madison, CT

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 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 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 Beautiful Location

Mercy By The Sea Retreat and Conference Center is a picturesque sea-side location ideal for our intentional, immersive, and intimate train-the-trainer experience. Nestled on the idyllic Long Island Sound in Madison, Connecticut, Mercy is only an hour from Hartford (CT) and Providence (RI) and less than two hours from Boston (MA) and New Jersey / New York City. This is an ideal location for New Englanders and those traveling from afar—especially because we offer complimentary airport and train pick-ups/drop-offs!

 

The grounds provide the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor reflective spaces. The natural environment includes gardens, lush tree canopies and flowering bushes, and a labyrinth. Don't forget your bathing suit—there is a private beach which will host our "beach party"! Indoors, Mercy offers a library, chapel and art gallery. We will be sure to make use of all Mercy has to offer during the 3.5-day Immersion Retreat.

 

The meals at Mercy By The Sea may prove to be a highlight. They pride themselves on serving "food that feeds the soul." Each meal (all meals, snacks, and coffee/tea are included in the cost of the program) are prepared as simple healthy meals made from local and organic produce as much as possible. Mercy serves both hot and cold Continental breakfasts and lunches. The afternoon meal always includes a salad bar, various combinations of soups, sandwiches, and lunch-time entrees—with cookies and fruit as dessert options. Dinners feature a protein, starch, vegetable, tossed salad, bread, and house-made desserts.

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.

3. Cultivate a community of exceptional trainers and facilitators.

4. Provide practical opportunities to advance your leadership practice.

5. Begin the process of you becoming a Certified Master Trainer.

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:

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

Identity Exploration

Leadership Development

Wellness Practices

DAY 1: Monday, June 8th, 2026

9:00-10:00 AM

Registration: Mercy By The Sea Retreat Center
(NOTE: Breakfast will not be provided this day.)

10:00-11:00 AM

Welcome, Introductions, Plan for the Immersion Retreat

11:00-12:00 PM

Building Community: Learning Outcomes & Agreements

12:00-12:45 PM

Community Lunch

1:00-3:00 PM

What is Effective Training & Facilitation?

3:00-4:00 PM

Identity Exploration: Positionality ('Who Am I!?')

4:00-5:30 PM

Purposeful Pause | Restoration

(+ Room Check-In)

5:30-6:15 PM

Community Dinner

6:30-7:30 PM

Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)

7:30-8:30 PM

Creating a Training Story: Rising Action

8:30-9:00 PM

Daily Night-Time Check-In

DAY 2: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026

7:00-7:55 AM

Well-Being Activities (Optional)

8:00-8:45 AM

Community Breakfast

9:00-10:00 AM

Daily Good Morning Check-In

10:00-11:00 AM

Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)

11:00-12:00 PM

Creating a Training Story: Exposition

12:00-12:45 PM

Community Lunch

1:00-2:00 PM

Creating a Training Story: Resolution

2:00-3:00 PM

Identity Exploration: Values Exploration

3:00-3:30 PM

Facilitation Observations

3:30-5:30 PM

Purposeful Pause | Restoration

5:30-6:15 PM

Community Dinner

6:30-7:30 PM

Deep Dive: TBD (Community Choice)

7:30-8:30 PM

Identity Exploration: Intersections of Identity

8:30-9:00 PM

Daily Night-Time Check-In

DAY 3: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

7:00-7:55 AM

Well-Being Activities (Optional)

8:00-8:45 AM

Community Breakfast

9:00-9:30 AM

Daily Good Morning 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

Purposeful Pause | Restoration + Facilitation Laboratory Preparation

4:00-5:30 PM

Facilitation Laboratory

5:30-6:15 PM

Community Dinner

6:30-8:00 PM

Facilitation Laboratory

8:00-8:30 PM

Daily Night-Time Check-In

9:00-10:00 PM

Beach Party

DAY 4: Thursday, June 11th, 2026

7:00-7:55 AM

Well-Being Activities (Optional)

8:00-8:45 AM

Community Breakfast

9:00-9:30 AM

Daily Good Morning Check-In

9:30-11:00 AM

Identity Exploration: Critical Approaches to Training

11:00-11:30 AM

Identity Exploration: Becoming Master Trainers

11:30-12:30 PM

Leadership Learnings, Identity Insights, Facilitation Focus-Areas, and Closing Reflections

12:30-1:15 PM

Community Lunch

(Optional - Not Included in the cost of the 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!

Facilitated by Master Trainers

Jonathan Kroll

Founder & Executive Director

Leadership Trainer

Sarah Kutten

Assistant Vice Provost of Students & Belonging

University of Oregon

Jenni Batchelder

ASEMS Director | S-STEM Project Manager

University of Arizona

Our Very-Friendly Financial Model

The Leadership Trainer Certification Program tuition is between $2,400 - $2,600.

Our very-friendly financial model was created to help those participants for whom the standard Leadership Trainer Certification Program tuition may be cost-exclusive.

Our exciting and friendly financial structure includes both Scholarships and Grants. With the addition of Scholarships and Grants, the cost of the could be $0!

Scholarships

Scholarships can reduce the program to only $1,800.

Grants

Upon becoming a Certified Leadership Trainer, our participants can apply for exclusive grants to support their leadership programming!

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:

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.

© 2025 Leadership Trainer. All rights reserved.

Leadership Trainer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.