Future Association Leader Program 2027

Program Format

The WSAVA Future Association Leader Program offers a blended learning experience that balances expert input, peer-to-peer exchange, and real-world application.

Running from March to November 2027, the program is structured around eight themed modules, each addressing a core aspect of association leadership. Content is delivered using a “blended” aproach:

• Self-led modules (up to 45 minutes each) on WSAVA Academy to prepare you for deeper learning and can be taken at your own pace.
• Live online sessions (2 hours per module) bring participants together with expert facilitators and peer from across the world to share perspectives and work through challenges.
• An in-person workshop at the WSAVA Congress 2027 in India brings program participants together to consolidate their learning, celebrate progress, and plan for impact. 

What You Will Gain

By the end of the programme, you will:

• • Develop practical tools to strengthen association leadership and governance
  • Gain strategies to engage and mobilise members
  • Build confidence to advocate for your profession and members
  • Strengthen your ability to influence stakeholders and decision-makers
  • Develop greater resilience, self-awareness and leadership confidence
  • Learn how to navigate communication, conflict and organisational change
  • Develop strategies for succession planning and leadership pipelines
  • Strengthen your ability to think strategically about the future of your association
  • Expand your global perspective by learning alongside peers from different regions and cultures
  • Build lasting connections within the WSAVA global network

Syllabus

Over the course of eight modules, you will explore:

Module 1: Purposeful Leadership and Personal Resilience
Clarify your personal mission, connect it to your association’s purpose, and learn strategies for maintaining motivation and integrity under pressure. Build resilience against criticism and burnout using practical frameworks for renewal and well-being.

Module 2: Strategic Influence and Advocacy
Develop the ability to persuade, influence, and negotiate with stakeholders at every level. Learn the art of strategic storytelling and discover how to reclaim the narrative in times of change. Apply models such as the Hero’s Quest and Change Curve to craft compelling stories that mobilise support.

Module 3: Communication and Conflict Navigation
Strengthen your ability to listen deeply, build trust across cultures, and resolve conflict constructively. Explore frameworks such as the Kilmann Conflict Model, Erin Meyer’s Culture Map, and advanced listening techniques to manage difficult conversations while maintaining authentic connections.

Module 4: Motivation and Mobilisation
Reignite purpose within your membership, overcome apathy, and inspire collective action. Apply frameworks such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Daniel Pink’s Drive, and the Ladder of Engagement to design strategies that foster sustainable involvement.

Module 5: Succession, Renewal and Leadership Pipelines
Ensure your association’s future vitality by designing effective succession plans and mentoring emerging leaders. Use practical tools such as Rothwell’s Succession Planning Model, the Performance–Potential Grid, and the GROW coaching model to develop leadership pipelines.

Module 6: Leading Through Innovation and Change
Foster a culture of innovation while navigating uncertainty. Learn to empower teams, build psychological safety, and adopt “fail fast, learn fast” approaches. Draw on frameworks such as Amy Edmondson’s Fearless Organisation and David Marquet’s Turn the Ship Around.

Module 7: Building Inclusive and Intergenerational Teams
Leverage diversity of age, gender, region, and culture to build stronger associations. Explore strategies to reduce unconscious bias, create inclusive environments, and strengthen intergenerational collaboration.

Module 8: Strategic Foresight and Future-Ready Leadership
Anticipate emerging trends and prepare your association for the long term. Learn horizon scanning, scenario planning, and PESTLE analysis to distinguish fads from meaningful trends and guide your organisation proactively rather than reactively.

The order of modules may change. Module content will be tailored to the audience and is an iterative process.

Who is it for?

The Future Association Leader Program is designed for current and aspiring leaders within veterinary membership associations who want to strengthen their leadership skills and contribute to the future of their profession.

Program Fees

Fees are tiered to reflect global diversity and accessibility:

• High-Income Countries: 1,500 USD
• Upper-Middle-Income Countries: 1,000 USD
• Lower-Middle/Low-Income Countries: 250 USD (includes eligibility for a travel grant to attend the in-person workshop in New Delhi, India)

Fees include:

• All online learning modules
• The one-day in-person workshop in New Delhi, India
• Complimentary registration for WSAVA World Congress 2027

Participants will be required to sign the relevant learning and fee agreements and pay their fees, or their first instalment, before the first programme module. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation to WSAVA Congress 2027; however, travel grants will be available for participants from lower-middle/low-income countries.

How to Apply

Applications open on 7 September, 2026 and close on 30 October, 2026 (23:00 UTC).

To apply, you must:

• Be nominated or endorsed by a WSAVA Member Association.
• Be an active member of that association throughout the program.
• Show leadership potential and a record of voluntary service.
• Commit to the time, travel, and learning requirements.
• Pay all associated program fees.

Application process:

Applicants must complete the official application form and upload their Member Association’s letter of endorsement or nomination. Both documents should be submitted via the Apply Here link. Applications without an endorsement cannot be considered.