CEO Masterclass Series
Details
CEO Masterclass Series
The Leadership Academy is delighted to present our exciting new CEO Masterclass Series for leaders in the sector.
As part of the suite of offerings from The Leadership Academy, a project of The Wheel, we are delighted be piloting the CEO Masterclass Series for leaders in our sector. The aim of this masterclass series is to upskill CEOs in response to current identified challenges common for CEOs in the nonprofit sector. The CEO Masterclasses Series is designed to provide a bespoke and targeted programme focused on impactful learning outcomes for both new and experienced CEOs.
We have identified leading experts, with specific nonprofit expertise, to deliver the series.
The Masterclasses fall within four stages of your CEO leadership journey:
Stage 1: CEO as an Individual - Leadership Foundations
- Wellbeing for Leaders: Preventing Burnout in You and Your Team
- Why Good People Make Bad Decisions: Leadership, Governance & Ethics
Stage 2: Strategic Vision & Clarity
- Narrative Power: Reframing Your Mission for Influence & Support
- Design Your CEO Agenda for 2026: Strategy, Culture and Leadership
- Understanding strategy for purpose - value and implementation
Stage 3: Leading People & Organisations
- Creating a Culture of Development: Coaching and Mentoring for Nonprofit CEOs
- Future-Proof: Succession Planning & People Development for the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders
Stage 4: Mastering Tools and Resources
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Using Insight to Improve Impact and Performance
- Helping Irish non-profit CEOs leverage AI opportunities
- Fuel Your Mission: A Simpler Path to Philanthropy
Click here to read more about the workshops
Click here to read about our trainers
Places for this Masterclass Series are limited and available on a first come first-served basis so please register early.
Timeline
The masterclasses will run from October 2025 until June 2026. They will be held online on Thursday mornings from 9am until 1pm approximately every four weeks with a break for Christmas.
Who is this for
This masterclass series is designed for the CEOs or Executive leaders of Irish nonprofit organisations; community, voluntary, charitable or social enterprise organisations. It will be useful for both new CEOs and those more tenured who are looking to upskill and address current challenges of CEOs in the nonprofit sector. We will confirm with all participants that they are currently the most senior person in their organisation before they are confirmed on the course.
Eligibility & Participation Criteria
As a high-level offering and to ensure fair access to this series there are some eligibility criteria. We are also keen to have a mix of types of organisations to add to a rich learning community. As such, we are asking interested parties to fill out the following form which asks for confirmation of seniority within an organisation, terms of learning and size of organisation. Places will be proportionately assigned to small, medium and large organisations and eligible candidates in each size will be offered places on a first come first service basis. The Application Form below asks the following questions:
Current Role – You are currently serving as a CEO, Executive Director, or equivalent senior leader of a nonprofit organisation. Please indicate how long you have been in this role.
Organisation Size/Scope – Please select your category of organisation size (small, medium, large) in line with membership definitions.
Commitment – You agree to:
Attend all core sessions.
Actively participate in discussions.
Provide feedback on the series.
Safe Space – You commit to contributing to a respectful and supportive peer learning environment. The CEO Masterclass series will operate under Chatham House Rule. This means that from any discussions taking place during the CEO Masterclass series participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
What is the investment
The Leadership Academy at The Wheel, via funding from the National Training Fund, is part subsidising this course. The fee is €950 for members of The Wheel, €1,450 for non-members. This is the fee for the full CEO Masterclass Series of ten expert-led masterclasses over the year.
Can I just attend one session?
We have chosen the ten Masterclasses with a holistic view; they are designed to complement one another and cover a wide spectrum of current topics pertinent to the role of nonprofit CEOs. As such the series is designed to be attended as a whole.
We are also keen for attendees as leaders in our sector, to connect meaningfully with their peers through regular engagement which is why the CEO Masterclass Series has been designed for attendance in its entirety.
If you have any further questions please contact Sharon Hughes, Leadership Academy Manager at sharon@wheel.ie
As a high-level offering and to ensure fair access to this series there are some eligibility criteria. We are also keen to have a mix of types of organisations to add to a rich learning community. As such, we are asking interested parties to fill out the following form which asks for confirmation of seniority within an organisation, terms of learning and size of organisation. Places will be proportionately assigned to small, medium and large organisations and eligible candidates in each size will be offered places on a first come first service basis.
More information about the series:
Wellbeing for Leaders: Preventing Burnout in You and Your Team
This reflective Masterclass supports nonprofit leaders to identify systemic and individual contributors to burnout, and explore organisational strategies that support psychological safety, sustainability, and wellbeing in practice. A guidebook will be provided to all participants.
Following the Masterclass Senior Leaders Will Be Able To:
- Recognise signs of burnout in themselves and their teams, and understand the systemic drivers that contribute to it.
- Design organisational wellbeing systems and supports that align with their organisation’s values and culture.
- Build a sustainable leadership model that balances high performance with staff wellbeing and long-term health.
Details: 9 October 2025, 9am - 1pm
Aoife (Dermody) Nic Dhiarmada: Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Quality Matters
“Why Good People Make Bad Decisions: Leadership, Governance & Ethics”
Why do intelligent, experienced and well-meaning leadership teams and boards make bad decisions? This masterclass explores how even the most conscientious leaders can fall into patterns of poor judgement. Drawing on real-world examples from both the charity sector and the commercial world, this session will challenge charity leaders to examine how different factors can undermine effective decision-making, and most importantly how to minimize these risks. This interactive session will provide practical tools to strengthen leadership and create a culture that reduces the chance of well-intentioned failure. If you’ve ever wondered, “How on earth did they let that happen?”, this is the session for you.
Details: 6 November 2025, 9am - 1pm
Aoife Kelly-Desmond is CEO of Community Law & Mediation (CLM)
Understanding Strategy for Purpose - Value and Implementation
70% of projects/strategies fail at implementation according to research. This is particularly true for our sector as our focus is on social good and purpose rather than building profit. Planning implementation at the beginning and ensuring the systems and structures are in place are essential or the implementation and ownership of strategy will fail.
Taking a case study approach from within the sector, this workshop will focus on these elements; understanding the purpose of strategy and culture, identifying what is valuable, rare, non inimitable about the organisation, how to harness buy in and engagement, and then a plan for implementation and monitoring.
Details: 4 December 2025, 9am - 1pm
Dr. Tracey Monson, CEO - Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services
Design Your CEO Agenda for 2026: Strategy, Culture and Leadership
This highly interactive masterclass will enable CEOs and senior leaders of non-profits to design a top-line strategic agenda for 2026 – one that aligns organisational culture, leadership priorities, and bold moves for impact. Grounded in McKinsey’s Six Disciplines of Non-Profit Leadership Excellence and enriched with real-world case studies, participants will work from targeted pre-work insights, peer exchange, and practical planning tools.
The session will clarify where their greatest opportunities and challenges lie, boost their confidence in leading the charge to close the gaps in 2026, and equip participants with tools to flesh out their agenda and drive action well beyond the workshop. So they can hit the ground running in the new year, with a renewed sense of purpose, ambition, drive and confidence.
Details: 8 January 2025, 9am - 1pm
Theresa Nanigian, Executive Coach - TN Executive Coaching
Narrative Power: Reframing Your Mission for Influence & Support
Master the art of organisational storytelling to influence stakeholders, inspire funders, and rally teams. This practical session helps CEOs sharpen their pitch, refine messaging, and align internal and external narratives around the core purpose of your organisation in a way that unites, amplifies and inspires all stakeholders.
- Understand how to craft a compelling organisational narrative that connects hearts and minds across funders, staff, and stakeholders.
- Understand strategic brand positioning around purpose, as a differentiator for your organisation
- Access storytelling templates, message houses, and board briefing tools to support alignment and influence.
Details: 12 February 2026, 9am - 1pm
Lisa-Nicole Dunne, Founder - Mantra Strategy
Future-Proof: Succession Planning & People Development for the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders
What happens when a great leader leaves? Too often, the answer is confusion, burnout, or a leadership vacuum. In Ireland’s nonprofit sector—where mission matters, and resources are stretched—succession planning is not a luxury, it's a necessity.
This highly interactive Masterclass tackles the twin priorities of succession planning and people development, blending practical tools with strategic foresight. CEO’s will:
- Assess their organisation’s leadership pipeline and identify key gaps.
- Understand the difference between emergency cover and long-term succession strategy.
- Explore frameworks for identifying, mentoring, and retaining emerging leaders.
Details: 5 March 2026, 9am - 1pm
Jennifer McConnell, Founder - Living Legacy
Creating a Culture of Development: Coaching and Mentoring for Nonprofit CEOs
In today’s complex nonprofit environment, the most effective leaders are those who not only lead—but who develop others.
This masterclass will explore how strategic coaching and mentoring approaches can strengthen culture, improve retention, support succession planning, and enhance board and executive team relationships.
Designed specifically for CEOs, Chairs and senior leaders in the sector, this masterclass will focus on:
- Building a leadership culture where coaching and mentoring are embedded, not bolted on.
- Understanding when and how to use coaching vs mentoring vs directive leadership.
- Applying coaching approaches in performance management, delegation, and futureproofing the team.
Participants will leave with both insights and tools to support them as they develop their own coaching and mentoring skills for the benefit of their team and their organisation.
Details: 2 April 2026, 9am - 1pm
Jackie Clifford, Director - Clarity Learning & Development
Data-Driven Decision Making: Using Insight to Improve Impact and Performance
This Masterclass supports CEOs in non-profits and charities to lead with insight by embedding data use in strategic decisions, performance management, and communications. It will explore the principles and practices involved with data-driven decision making and introduce various types/sources of data available, including public data, organisational data, and evaluation data. It will introduce practice tools, frameworks, and resources tailored to the sector. A guidebook will also be provided to participants.
Details: 30 April 2026, 9am - 1pm
Philip Isard, Chief Operating Officer - Quality Matters
Helping Irish non-profit CEOs leverage AI opportunities
The Irish nonprofit sector stands at a critical juncture. With donor expectations evolving, operational pressures mounting, and digital transformation accelerating, AI offers unprecedented opportunities to amplify impact whilst managing resources more effectively. This masterclass provides the strategic framework CEOs need to navigate AI adoption responsibly and successfully.
- Strategic AI Understanding: Ability to demystify AI technologies in nonprofit contexts, identifying realistic applications while separating hype from practical reality.
- Ethical Implementation Framework: Knowledge to develop responsible AI governance structures appropriate to organizational size, addressing risks around data protection, bias, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
- Practical Implementation Roadmap: Skills to create strategic AI adoption plans with realistic timelines, resource requirements, and success metrics. .
Details: 28 May 2026, 9am - 1pm
Joe Houghton, Managing Director - Houghton Consulting
Fuel Your Mission: A Simpler Path to Philanthropy
Philanthropy is supposed to fuel your mission - but too often it feels slow, unpredictable, and exhausting. You’re going from one project to the next, scrambling for small donations, navigating endless gatekeepers, and burning out trying to keep it all going. The process is too complex, too time-consuming, and too reliant on who you know - and it never feels like enough.
We’ll show you a simpler, proven path to philanthropy:
- Where do we find the philanthropists? We dive into the most effective approach to identifying donors and getting in front of them.
- The Art of The Ask. We will show you how to take the awkwardness out of asking for money.
You’ll walk away inspired about what is possible and equipped with practical tools you can get started with straight away to build your pipeline and secure meetings.
Details: 25 June 2026, 9am - 1pm
Darren Ryan, Founder - Onwards Philanthropy
Meet Our Trainers
Aoife (Dermody) Nic Dhiarmada: Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Quality Matters
Aoife has extensive leadership experience in non-profit service delivery, academia, non-profit consultancy, and political organising, preceded by a decade in front-line service provision in homeless, addiction and community education services. Aoife has researched, taught and supported implementation in evidence-based leadership, organisational culture change, trauma-informed practice, and intercultural and LGBTIQ+ affirmative approaches.
Aoife Kelly-Desmond, CEO - Community Law & Mediation
Aoife Kelly-Desmond is CEO of Community Law & Mediation (CLM), an independent law centre and charity providing legal, mediation and education services to communities across Ireland. A solicitor and not-for-profit leader, she is committed to promoting access to justice and challenging inequity through the law.
Dr. Tracey Monson, CEO - Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services
Dr Tracey Monson has been a successful CEO in the nonprofit sector for 7 years and a senior manager for 15 years. Tracey has lectured on the level 8 degree in management in early years in DKIT on strategy, has led on implementation of 3 organisational strategies and has recently completed an MBA, with the focus of her strategic project being the implementation of a digital transformation strategy in her organisation.
Theresa Nanigian, Executive Coach
Theresa Nanigian has been training and coaching leaders and executives in the nonprofit and private sectors for over 8 years. Her executive training and coaching is backed by years of leadership experience, running a division as a Senior Vice President at American Express, management consulting at McKinsey & Company and driving strategy at GlaxoSmithKline. Learn more about Theresa’s coaching and executive training here
Lisa-Nicole Dunne, Founder - Mantra Strategy
Lisa-Nicole Dunne is founder of Mantra Strategy Impact Creation Consultancy and Leadership Institute. Mantra co-creates organisation, funding and communications strategies that unify teams and stakeholders. Lisa-Nicole has raised over €80 million for organisations through philanthropy, partnerships, and fundraising innovation and has won Irish Fundraiser of the Year. Former Adjunct lecturer on MBA programme at DCU Business School and former chair of CII.
Jennifer McConnell, Founder - Living Legacy
Jennifer McConnell is the founder of Living Legacy, which helps leaders in non-profits future-proof their work through succession planning, crisis preparedness, and legacy building. With over 25 years’ experience spanning leadership, HR, and crisis management, Jennifer brings both global expertise and lived experience to her work. She is passionate about guiding people and organisations to ensure smooth transitions, strengthen resilience, and protect what matters most across generations
Jackie Clifford, Director - Clarity Learning & Development
Jackie Clifford is a learning and development specialist, facilitator, coach and co-author of The Coaching Handbook (Kogan Page). With over 30 years’ experience in L&D, one element of her work is helping organisations create cultures where learning via coaching and mentoring can become part of everyday working life. Jackie supports leaders to design practical, people-centred systems that work for their context.
Philip Isard: Chief Operating Officer, Quality Matters
Philip has significant experience in non-profit research, impact measurement, data strategy, and organisational development. Philip is an accredited Social Return on Investment practitioner and is an Associate Faculty Member at National College of Ireland. Philip has worked on several large data-driven projects, where he helps create accessible data systems and turning complex information into actionable findings and recommendations for organisations.
Joe Houghton, Managing Director - Houghton Consulting
Joe Houghton is an author of eleven books, educator, and AI trainer. Assistant Professor at UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business, he advises organisations on harnessing AI responsibly. With over 1,500 talks delivered worldwide, Joe equips Irish non-profit leaders with practical tools to unlock AI’s potential for social good.
Darren Ryan, Founder - Onwards Philanthropy
Darren provides philanthropy consultancy, coaching and strategy development for leaders of non-profits. He was previously the CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and Director Ireland for The Ireland Funds. He is currently on the board of Philanthropy Ireland and is a Founding Director of SERI (Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland).
