Spearheaded by Fr. V. M. Thomas, Harvard alumnus and Founder of LEAD Academy, in partnership with Mr. John Benedict, CEO of the Marian Foundation, Bangalore, the program aimed to equip leaders with tools for reflection, service, and mission-oriented leadership. The training unfolded across prestigious venues including Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Guwahati, SILOAM Bible Valley Barapani, Provincial House Shillong, Diphu Pastoral Centre, DB IDL Dimapur, and Kohima Cathedral.

The academy featured a distinguished panel of mentors and faculty including Archbishop John Moolachira, Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil (Nobel Peace Prize nominee), Bishop P.K. George of Miao, educationist Mr. Conrad Saldanha, Prof. Henry Rosario, Prof. Jose Kuruvichira, Prof. Edmund Gomes, Salesian Provincials Fr. Kuricheal (Guwahati) and Fr. Pampackal (Dimapur), Fransalian Provincial Dr. Sabu Francis, and several Jesuit scholars. Drawing on diverse sectors such as theology, education, the armed forces, and civil administration, their collective wisdom created a rich ecosystem for transformative learning.

Participants engaged in a dynamic curriculum comprising interactive lectures, reflective journaling, exposure visits to service institutions, and spiritual immersion. The program’s two-phase structure fostered introspection, dialogue, and collaborative growth, encouraging each participant to “lead from within.”

“The academy helped me discover the leader within—rooted in purpose and guided by values,” shared one participant. Another expressed, “I return with a heart full of gratitude and a deep desire to make a positive impact in the world.”

Sessions at SILOAM Bible Valley, known for their contemplative setting, were especially lauded for nurturing spiritual renewal and rekindling a sense of mission among attendees.

Leadership tools such as goal-setting, time management, communication strategies, team dynamics, and the power of networking were woven seamlessly into the program. Yet, it was the holistic vision of leadership as vocation—defined by integrity, compassion, and service—that truly distinguished the LEAD Academy experience.

As participants dispersed back to their dioceses and institutions, the echoes of this unique journey remain, empowering a new generation of leaders ready to act with faith, courage, and a commitment to justice in a rapidly changing world.