Advancing Organ and Tissue Donation Outcomes

Leadership Foundations Series

LFS

Build leaders, strengthen your organization

Leadership Foundations Series

$2,100 total for the full 6-month program— only $350/month— an affordable way
to strengthen leaders and elevate your OPO.

  • Practical leadership skills your team can implement immediately
  • Flexible learning that fits busy schedules
  • Stronger communication, confidence, and culture across your organization
Register Today!

Registration for September Session closes September 2nd!

What Participants Are Saying

“OPOs are complex organizations composed of dynamic, multidisciplinary teams. LFS equips leaders with the essential concepts and practical skills needed to lead effectively in these unique and challenging environments.“


-Andrew Jimenez, Director of Quality Improvement, DCIDS

“LFS helps leaders inspire their teams, manage challenges, and create a positive workplace culture. LFS training helped me build confidence and strengthens the skills needed to communicate, make decisions, and guide others effectively.“


-LFS Graduate

“These were great reminders/refreshers for inexperienced and experienced leaders alike. Was great to have a brief touch base with the Gift of Life instructor and my peers to talk through leadership development.”


-Carlie Crunk, Clinical Director, DCIDS

Core Topics

Across six courses, participants develop essential leadership behaviors:

  • Establishing Trust: What builds trust, what erodes it, and how leaders establish credibility.
  • Intentional Communication: Use a clear, structured framework so messages land as intended.
  • Development through Goal Setting: Goal-setting techniques that connect daily work to priorities.
  • Effective Delegation: How to share responsibility and address common barriers.
  • Giving Consistent Feedback: A proven method to deliver honest, productive feedback.
  • Maintaining a Positive Culture: How leaders influence culture and reinforce resilience.

How the Learning Experience Works

Leadership is a habit built through practice. We use a simple, repeatable learning loop:

  • Leadership Concept Introduced Virtually by an Expert Instructor
  • eLearning Module
  • Apply Concept with Real Work
  • Group Discussion and Reflection
  • Wrap-Up Session: Share and Reinforce Learning

Six courses. Six months. Lifelong leadership habits.

Program at a Glance

  • Format
    Hybrid: live virtual kickoff and wrap-up sessions, plus self-paced eLearning and on-the-job activities.
  • Duration
    Six courses delivered over six months.
  • Time Commitment
    Approximately 3–4 hours per course, spread across one month.
  • Credential
    Certificate of Completion from Gift of Life Institute.
  • Enrollment
    Organizational cohorts and national sessions are available.

Faculty

Elizabeth Spencer

Elizabeth Spencer has been a dedicated member of the OPO community since 2002. She spent nine years with the Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC), serving as a Senior Clinical Recovery Coordinator and later as the Director of Hospital Services & Professional Education. In her directorial role, Elizabeth designed strategic donation plans, managed hospital policy implementation, and led data analysis and educational programming across regional healthcare networks. Elizabeth joined the Gift of Life Institute in 2012. As an instructor and consultant, she specializes in donation authorization, hospital development, and leadership training, helping numerous OPOs optimize their strategic outcomes.

Schedule: Start Dates

Session 1 – Establishing Trust as a Leader

Kickoff Session 1: Tuesday, September 8th @ 1 – 2pm ET

Kickoff Session 2: Thursday, September 10th @ 12 – 1pm ET

Wrap-Up Session 1: Tuesday, September 22nd @ 1 – 2pm ET

Wrap-Up Session 2: Thursday, September 24th @ 12 – 1pm ET

* future dates to be added

Contact Us

Ready to build a stronger leadership foundation for your OPO? We’re here to help.

Email Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Informal leaders, new supervisors, and experienced leaders within OPOs looking to refresh skills.
The course costs $2100 in total, $350 a month. Click the Register Today button at the top of the page for more information.
This course combines proven professional development with specialized OPO expertise. Designed by industry veterans, the curriculum requires participants to apply concepts on the job between sessions to reinforce learning and build permanent habits. Additionally, the interactive format gives leaders a unique platform to connect with peers from other OPOs and share specialized management tactics.
Each course is ~3–4 hours spread over two weeks; full series spans six months.
Participants who complete all six courses receive a certificate of completion from Gift of Life Institute. It’s a recognition of consistent engagement and real leadership development.
Yes — licensing, train-the-trainer support, and full instructional materials are available.
Most organizations begin by discussing their specific leadership goals with us. Contact our team at info@giftoflifeinstitute.org to explore the current schedule for national sessions or to learn more about bringing a cohort to your organization.

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