LT Catalyst: Leadership Development, Powered by Mentorship

LT Catalyst brings mid-career professionals and mentors together to build practical leadership skills through expert-led training and a structured partnership. Participants explore four university-developed skills: mentorship and sponsorship, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness and self-compassion. Mentors and mentees learn together with structured opportunities to reflect, exchange feedback, stay accountable, and apply new skills at work.

Launched in 2021 by We Are Washington Employers as the Leadership Development Program, LT Catalyst now has a new name and home at Leadership Tomorrow. Its framework was developed by business leaders and deans from 14 business schools across Washington state, combining academic insight and workplace relevance.

How You’ll Grow: Benefits for Participants

Mentorship, Sponsorship & Leadership Network: Build meaningful relationships with peers, experienced leaders, mentors, and sponsors who expand your perspective, champion your growth, open doors, and create lasting opportunities for leadership advancement. As part of Leadership Tomorrow, you’ll also join a long-standing community of leaders and alumni from across the region, extending your network and opportunities for connection well beyond the Catalyst experience.
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion: Develop evidence-based practices for mindfulness, stress management, self-awareness, and resilience that support sustainable leadership and healthier organizational cultures.
Negotiation & Influence: Strengthen your ability to negotiate, influence decisions, navigate complex relationships, advocate for yourself and others, and move beyond mentorship to actively sponsor emerging leaders.
Inclusive Leadership: Develop practical strategies to recognize and address inequity, strengthen allyship, foster belonging, and lead more inclusively in everyday decisions, relationships, and workplace environments.
Emotional Intelligence & Executive Presence: Build self-awareness and emotional agility, strengthen communication, manage emotions effectively, and show up with greater authenticity, confidence, and executive presence.

Benefits for Employers

Develop more capable managers. Equip participants to hold difficult conversations, build trust, influence others, and lead through change and ambiguity.
Multiply learning in the workplace. The mentor-mentee model develops two employees together, allowing them to reinforce each other’s growth and apply new practices on the job.
Strengthen your leadership pipeline. Build the skills, relationships, and confidence employees need to take on greater responsibility and contribute more effectively.
See evidence of growth. Track progress across all 16 competencies through pre- and post-program assessments, weekly check-ins, cohort benchmarking, and a six-month follow-up on skill application

February 18-April 29, 2027
- 11-week program
- Opening, optional mid-program check-in, and closing sessions held in person in downtown Seattle
- Weekly virtual sessions on Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. See the full schedule here.
Pairing a senior leader with an emerging or mid-career professional creates a powerful opportunity for growth for both individuals and the organization.
Each organization identifies a Senior Mentor/Sponsor who is committed to developing future leaders. Mentees are typically early-career professionals (3–7 years of experience), emerging talent, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, or mid-career professionals (8–15 years of experience) who are new to leading people or teams. Successful mentees demonstrate curiosity, initiative, openness to feedback, and a willingness to learn.
The program also includes Peer Mentors, typically professionals with 10–20 years of experience in the workforce, who help foster belonging, strengthen connections across the cohort, and model inclusive leadership.
Cross-functional pairings are encouraged, and organizations are invited to consider individuals who may not have been selected for traditional leadership opportunities but show strong promise.
Unlike LT's other programs, where individuals apply and are selected independently, LT Catalyst is built around employer-nominated mentor-mentee pairs. Individuals who do not have a company-nominated match are encouraged to connect with Lauren to explore participation options.
Tuition is $2,500 per participant.
Schedule an information session with Dr. Lauren Van Koughnett in October, November, or December. Registration will close January 22, 2027 or when seats have filled.