High Impact Leadership Certificate
October 2025 - March 2026
UW-Stevens Point Campus
Business and Leadership, See Stevens Point Offerings

High Impact Leadership Certificate​​

Monthly, October 2025 - March 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | UWSP Main Campus

​​Certificate Purpose

 The future of leadership isn't about fitting in. It's about standing out. Be Different.

At UW-Stevens Point, we believe great leaders don't follow trends—they transform them.​

​The UWSP Continuing Education Certificate for High Impact Leadership is designed to help individual contributors, supervisors, managers, and directors from every type of organization lead themselves, lead others and lead results. The certificate leverages enlightening presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on activities.​​​

The Leadership Certificate ​​​consists of six workshops. You are required to complete six (6) workshops within two (2) years to earn the Leadership Certificate.

​Registration Information: Full Certificate (All 6 sessions)​​

Registration Information: Individual Sessions​

Registration Fee: 

$1975 Professionals

$1700 UWSP Faculty/Staff

$475 ​UWSP ​Students​

​​​$36 ($6 per day) campus parkin​g permit​

​​Registration Fee:

$365 Professionals

$299 UWSP Faculty/Staff

$79 ​UWSP ​Students

$6 per day campus parking permit​​

Register Now for the Full Certificate
Register Now for the Individual Sessions

2025 - 2026 Leadership Workshops

This 6-month experience includes team-based, applied learning, regional network building, and the opportunity to learn with experienced instructors from for profit, non-profit and government backgrounds.​

October 10, 2025 | Start with Self — Unboxing Your Unique Leadership Style

What’s your career journey?​

In this workshop we unbox your career, your impact, and the future you imagine. In this session, you will identify the skills you want to strengthen so that you can maximize wellbeing and productivity. Discover your leadership strengths, blind spots, and values to lead with greater clarity and authenticity. The workshop incorporates active learning and provides several action tools so that you can begin applying what you learn immediately.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will create a career map, assess your leadership skills, and craft a 12-month leadership development plan.

Led by Lyna M​atesi​

​Lyna Matesi​​


​Lyna Matesi is a change leader, facilitator and educator. Her passion is helping organizations, teams, and individuals maximize success.

She has worked as an internal and external consultant coordinating large-scale change initiatives, implementing leadership development systems, and di​recting a wide range of domestic and international projects. 

She teaches MBA courses, drives new program development, and is a co-founder of a leadership focused women’s center for the College of Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Additionally, as an On-Call Facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership, Lyna helps leaders and organizations create the three outcomes of effective leadership: direction, alignment, and commitment (DAC). 

In 2024 Lyna was selected as one of 20 global fellows for the Women Who Lead the World fellowship program where she is championing women’s leadership in all sectors around the world. ​​


November 14, 2025 | Building a Culture that Works — From Direction to Dedication

How do you build a team culture that thrives?

In this workshop, we explore what it takes to move a group from simple direction to shared dedication. You’ll learn how to shape team dynamics, foster trust, and encourage accountability to create a high-performing, purpose-driven culture. Through interactive strategies and real-world applications, this session equips you with tools to lead teams that are engaged, resilient, and aligned.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will define key cultural values, assess your team's current dynamics, and develop an action plan to strengthen trust, accountability, and cohesion.

Led by Sephanie Perkins​​

Stephanie Perkins​​​​​
​​​​​Stephanie Perkins stands at the forefront of innovative leadership development. As a certified brain-based coach from the prestigious NeuroLeadership Institute, she has carved a niche in transforming the dynamics of leadership and corporate culture. With her roots in human resources and career coaching, Stephani​e has been instrumental in demystifying the complexities of career progression for a diverse clientele in Washington, D.C.

Returning to her hometown of Wausau, WI, Stephanie's impact deepened as the Vice President of People Development at IncredibleBank. There, she spearheaded transformative training, leadership programs, and cultural shifts that resonated throughout the organization.

Today, Stephanie's expertise benefits companies across Northcentral Wisconsin. She is dedicated to crafting and implementing bespoke leadership programs that drive organizational success. Her one-on-one coaching sessions are tailored to empower individuals to reach their leadership potential.

​A seasoned speaker, Stephanie has facilitated workshops from the sunny coasts of San Diego to the power corridors of Washington, D.C. Her sessions ar​e a blend of insightful brain-based science and practical strategies, delivered with a touch of humor that ensures engagement and last​ing impact.​​​​​​​​


December 12, 2025 | Lead with Purpose — Connecting Daily Work to Meaningful Impact

Are your daily efforts connected to a bigger picture?

In this workshop, we examine how purposeful leadership can transform everyday tasks into meaningful contributions. You’ll learn how to align team efforts with organizational goals to create value for those you serve—whether customers, colleagues, or community. This session offers practical strategies to help you and your team stay grounded in purpose while driving measurable impact.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will clarify your leadership purpose, connect team roles to organizational goals, and design strategies to reinforce purpose-driven work every day.​​

Led by Lada Xiong-Vang & Lyna Matesi​


​​Lada Xiong-Vang​​​
​​​Lada Xiong-Vang is the General Manager for the Furniture Solutions Division at Samuels Group where she oversees operations, drives business development initiatives, and cultivates relationships with clients and partners.  Over her career Lada has showcased exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the design industry.

Confidence, curiosity and openness are just a few of Lada’s leadership traits. Her group minded lens in decision making is a natural outworking of her Hmong heritage. She doesn’t focus on problems but rather solutions. She refers to herself as a community weaver, reflecting the strong connection to her family’s community-focused culture.

Lada is one of the founders of Central Wisconsin Hmong Professionals. This organization draws attention to the tensions of working in the corporate world while embracing Hmong identity and family values.

​Lyna Matesi​​
Lyna Matesi is a change leader, facilitator and educator. Her passion is helping organizations, teams, and individuals maximize success.

She has worked as an internal and external consultant coordinating large-scale change initiatives, implementing leadership development systems, and di​recting a wide range of domestic and international projects. 

She teaches MBA courses, drives new program development, and is a co-founder of a leadership focused women’s center for the College of Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Additionally, as an On-Call Facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership, Lyna helps leaders and organizations create the three outcomes of effective leadership: direction, alignment, and commitment (DAC). 

In 2024 Lyna was selected as one of 20 global fellows for the Women Who Lead the World fellowship program where she is championing women’s leadership in all sectors around the world. 

January 9, 2026 | Resilient by Design — Thriving Through Challenges and Change

How do you stay grounded when everything is shifting?

In this workshop, we explore how to build resilience as a leadership strength—not just for surviving challenges, but for thriving through them. You’ll develop the mental strength and adaptability needed to lead through uncertainty, setbacks, and ongoing transformation. With actionable tools and reflective exercises, this session empowers you to respond to change with clarity, confidence, and composure.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will identify your resilience drivers, practice strategies for navigating disruption, and create a personal plan for leading with stability through change.​

Led by Brian Krolczk

​Brian Krolczyk​​

​Brian is a National Board-Certified Executive Health Coach with over 35 years of experience in mental health, inpatient physical rehabilitation, and executive assessment/development. For over a decade, he was Sr. Assessor in the Global Executive Solutions Group at Development Dimensions International (DDI), Inc., a global leader in executive coaching and development. Brian has assessed hundreds of C-Suite executives from the Fortune 500 spanning every major industry and continent.

At UWSP, Brian teaches Neuro-leadership (MBA Program), Health Psychology, Wellness Expertise, Advanced Techniques in Health Coaching, and Health Coaching Ethics.

His specialty is developing business leadership acumen and executive well-being (personal resilience). Brian is invested in helping leaders develop best practices, accelerate business str​​ategy, navigate change, improve agility and create a high-engagement culture.

Brian is married and a parent to four adult children. He is a UWSP graduate! He is a survivor of divorce, chronic pain, open-heart surgery, and diabetes diagnosis. These personal experiences have strengthened his commitment to self-awareness, health promotion, and leadership development.​​​


February 13, 2026 | Be the Spark — Leading Innovation Through Collaboration

How do you ignite innovation in your team?​

In this workshop, we explore how collaboration fuels creativity and drives meaningful change. You’ll discover how to energize your team, tap into diverse perspectives, and turn creative thinking into practical innovation—no matter your role or title. This session offers hands-on strategies to help you foster a culture where new ideas can emerge, evolve, and make an impact.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will practice collaborative innovation techniques, learn to leverage team diversity for creative problem-solving, and build a plan to champion ideas from concept to action.

Led by Marcus Lewis

Marcus Lewis​​​

Dr. Marcus Lewis (he/him/his) is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and advocate on issues of inclusive excellence, leadership, and belonging. Known for his engaging, authentic approach, Dr. Lewis partners with educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses to lead transformative conversations on identity, social justice, and organizational change.

Drawing from more than a decade of experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Lewis brings both scholarly insight and practical expertise to his work. He has led academic departments, designed inclusive curricula, and mentored faculty and students - always centering collaboration, access, and student success. As both an educator and advocate, Dr. Lewis is deeply committed to expanding educational and career opportunities for underrepresented communities. 

Whether speaking to a room of executives or a classroom of students, he brings clarity, heart, and purpose to drive conversations that matter. Dr. Lewis continues to inspire change by guiding individuals and organizations from intention to action, fostering environments where people are empowered to show up fully and reach their highest potential.


March 13, 2026 | The Growth Mindset Advantage — Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Agility


What would be possible if your team embraced every challage as a chance to grow?​

In this workshop, we dive into the power of a growth mindset to transform how individuals and teams approach learning, feedback, and change. You’ll apply the principles of growth mindset to fuel development, curiosity, and continuous improvement. This session equips you with tools to build a culture where learning is embraced, agility is second nature, and setbacks become springboards for progress.

Session Outcomes: During this session, you will assess your current mindset, explore strategies to encourage learning and adaptability, and design a plan to foster growth across your team or organization.

Led by Lyna Matesi

​Lyna Matesi​​
​Lyna Matesi is a change leader, facilitator and educator. Her passion is helping organizations, teams, and individuals maximize success.

She has worked as an internal and external consultant coordinating large-scale change initiatives, implementing leadership development systems, and di​recting a wide range of domestic and international projects. 

She teaches MBA courses, drives new program development, and is a co-founder of a leadership focused women’s center for the College of Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Additionally, as an On-Call Facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership, Lyna helps leaders and organizations create the three outcomes of effective leadership: direction, alignment, and commitment (DAC). 

In 2024 Lyna was selected as one of 20 global fellows for the Women Who Lead the World fellowship program where she is championing women’s leadership in all sectors around the world. ​​


​Certificate Focus

The program equips emerging and established leaders to be both adaptive and collaborative.

  • Adaptive, agile leaders know themselves, their team members, and their organization. They are aware, resilient, and focused on growth.

  • Collaborative leaders bring people together. They shape culture, influence change, and focus on customer satisfaction.​​

​Certificate Core Skills

The five future skills that matter most:​

Five of the most in demand skills are emphasized and threaded throughout the workshop sessions.  You will graduate from the UWSP High Impact Leadership Certificate as a more adaptable, collaborative, empathetic leader equipped to facilitate communication, critical thinking, well-being and resilience.

Certificate Outcomes

Certificate Core Skills

Certificate Core Skills

The five future skills that matter most:​

Five of the most in demand skills are emphasized and threaded throughout the workshop sessions.  You will graduate from the UWSP High Impact Leadership Certificate as a more adaptable, collaborative, empathetic leader equipped to facilitate communication, critical thinking, well-being and resilience.

​Adaptability. “The Adaptability Competency means having flexibility in handling change, being able to juggle multiple demands, and adapting to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches. It means you not only can stay focused on your goals, but also can easily adjust how you achieve them. An adaptable leader can meet new challenges as they arise and not be halted by sudden change, remaining comfortable with the uncertainty that leadership can bring. The Adaptability Competency means having flexibility in handling change, being able to juggle multiple demands, and adapting to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches. It means you not only can stay focused on your goals, but also can easily adjust how you achieve them. An adaptable leader can meet new challenges as they arise and not be halted by sudden change, remaining comfortable with the uncertainty that leadership can bring." Korn Ferry​​

Collaboration. “Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Collaboration is the art of bringing people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Collaborating creates synergy, resulting in a combined effort with greater results than those achieved by individuals. Collaboration leads to the more efficient use of time and resources and the easy exchange of ideas and talent. People are more likely to be committed due to their involvement." Indiana University

​Communication. “Leaders communicate effectively in both formal and informal settings. Good listeners, they reinforce the message they convey with supportive mannerisms. Leaders express facts and ideas succinctly and logically, facilitate an open exchange of ideas, ask for feedback routinely, and communicate face-to-face whenever possible. They write clear, concise, and organized correspondence and reports. Successful leaders prepare and deliver effective presentations. In situations requiring public speaking they deliver organized statements, field audience questions, confidently communicate with the media and other external entities." US Coast Guard

Critical Thinking. “Critical thinking appears to be exactly what is needed from leaders who are navigating the volatility of the "new normal". Diane Halpern, an award-winning professor of psychology at Claremont McKenna College and a widely read author on the subject, offers this definition in her seminal book, Thought and Knowledge: "Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions ... it's the kind of thinking that makes desirable outcomes more likely." International Institute of Directors​

Empathy. “Empathy means having the ability to sense others' feelings and how they see things. You take an active interest in their concerns. You pick up cues to what's being felt and thought. With empathy, you sense unspoken emotions. You listen attentively to understand the other person's point of view, the terms in which they think about what's going on. Empathic leaders get along well with people from very different backgrounds and cultures, and can express their ideas in ways the other person will understand." Korn Ferry​

​​ ​

Leadership ​Certificate Testimonials 

“The High Impact Leadership Certification Course was an immensely valuable experience that challenged my thinking, enhanced my leadership skills, and provided practical tools I could apply immediately. It was well-structured, interactive, and engaging, featuring insightful discussions and real-world applications that deepened my understanding of leadership dynamics. The instructors were exceptional, knowledgeable, approachable, and truly invested in our growth. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to refine their leadership approach and make a lasting impact in their organization." —​ Leadership Certificate Alumni 2024-2025 

“I highly recommend the leadership workshop series. Through six workshop sessions, we covered topics such as growth mindset, communication, and leadership dynamics, I feel like I experienced significant personal and professional growth and learned tools to make me more effective in my roles. The workshop provided insights and practical strategies that have empowered me to lead more effectively and confidently in various aspects of my life.” — Leadership Certificate Alumni 2023-2024

“The Leadership Certificate and Workshop Program, hosted by UWSP, is a must for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills. The program offers a dynamic and diverse group of presenters that challenged me, in the best way, on both a professional and personal level. I can't say enough good things about this program." — Leadership Certificate Participant

 
Full refunds granted upon receipt of written request to uwspceweb@uwsp.edu when received 14 days before the start date of each individual workshop. No refunds will be given if cancellation is received less than 14 days before the workshop. Substitutions can be made at any time, but no shows will be responsible for the full conference fee. 

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. 
Please contact Continuing Education at 715-346-3838 or uwspceweb@uwsp.edu.