You've mastered the technical side of economic development. You understand business retention and can build an entrepreneur ecosystem, and know your way around site selection. But something's missing.

Maybe it's the politics that exhaust you. The board dynamics that frustrate you. The feeling that despite your competence, you're not advancing the way you should be.

The Next Wave Leadership Mastermind isn't a technical training program. It's a 9-month journey designed specifically for mid-career economic development professionals who refuse to plateau.

While others focus on tactics, we focus on transformation. Through structured monthly deep-dives, you'll develop the resilience, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership presence that separates those who advance from those who stagnate.

Month by month, you'll master:

• Your personal leadership archetype and how to leverage your natural strengths (includes an assessment and personal validation report).
• Strategic career planning that goes beyond hoping for the next opportunity.
• The growth mindset base on Stanford's Dr. Carol Dweck that drives lifelong learning and exceptional performance.
• How to transform obstacles into advantages (based on Stoic philosophy and modern neuroscience).
• The grit and flow states that sustain excellence through multi-year initiatives.
• Building your thought leadership brand while navigating political realities.
• The vulnerable, authentic leadership that creates psychological safety and drives results.

This isn't motivational fluff. Every module integrates insights from leading researchers and practitioners - from Angela Duckworth's work on grit to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's flow theory. You'll read the books that matter. Meet the experts who've done it. And most importantly, apply these concepts to the unique challenges of economic development leadership.

Limited to 8-10 professionals, your cohort becomes your brain trust. Through monthly BrainStorm Hot Seats, you'll bring your real challenges - that difficult board chair, the political landmine, the career crossroads - and receive honest, strategic counsel from peers who understand the nuances of our field.

• Your Major Transformative Purpose (MTP) - the north star and intrinsic motivator that guides every decision.
• A 3-Year Professional Development Roadmap custom-built for your trajectory.
• Your Leadership Philosophy Statement that articulates your unique value.
• A Personal Board of Advisors and accountability partners from your cohort.
• Thought leadership content that positions you as an industry voice.
• Lifetime alumni network access to past and future cohort members.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours monthly via Zoom, plus light between-session work
• Duration: 9 months (January - September)
• Cohort Size: 8-10 professionals (application required)
• Includes: Leadership archetype assessment, all materials, 1-on-1 coaching sessions with founder Martin Karl Vanags.

Next Wave Leadership is for economic development professionals who:

• Have 5+ years in the field and feel ready for the next level
• Are tired of being technically competent but politically frustrated
• Want more than just another line on their resume
• Are ready to be vulnerable, authentic, and growth-oriented
• Believe their best chapters are ahead, not behind them

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Each cohort is carefully curated to ensure diverse perspectives and mutual value creation.

Next Cohort Begins: January 2026
Application Deadline: November 30, 2025