• See leadership through a new lens — combining Renaissance wisdom with modern frameworks for building agile, collaborative teams. 
• Discover your own leadership style through immersive learning, reflection, and expert-led excursions.
• Develop influence strategies grounded in network analysis and organizational design.
• Apply lessons immediately to challenges in innovation, crisis leadership, and human-AI collaboration.
• Build a global peer network of senior leaders committed to values-driven leadership and impact.
• Earn a Kellogg Executive Education Certificate upon completion of the program.

This immersive leadership experience blends timeless insights from Renaissance history with modern-day network science and organizational behavior. Topics include: 

• The Renaissance of Leadership: Lessons from Florence’s golden age and how they apply to today’s volatile landscape.
• Organizational Network Analysis: How influence flows in teams – and how to make it work for you.
• Leading Across Teams: Multiteam systems and boundary-spanning leadership in complex environments.
• Leadership Legacy: Lessons in purpose driven leadership from wartime Tuscany to today’s boardrooms.
• Innovation Through Collaboration: Unlocking creativity through strategic team design.
• The Future of Leadership: Human-AI teaming and what leaders must master next.
• Leadership Without Formal Authority: How figures like Catherine of Siena shaped outcomes through persuasion and moral authority rather than positional power.

Leslie DeChurch - Academic Director; Al-Thani Chair in Communication, School of Communication. Professor of Management & Organizations, Kellogg School of Management; Professor of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences.

Noshir Contractor - Academic Director; Jane S. & William J. White Professor of Behavioral Sciences. Professor of Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences, McCormick School of Engineering; Professor of Management & Organizations, Kellogg School of Management, Professor of Communication Studies, School of Communication; By courtesy: Professor of Computer Science, McCormick School of Engineering.

“A must-take course for today’s leaders, delivered masterfully by Professors DeChurch and Contractor in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Starting with the Renaissance and leading to the age of AI, the content was incredibly engaging, making connections across centuries through the lenses of leadership, knowledge and networks. The participants were amazing, offering a fantastic opportunity to build new friendships.”
Head of Global Regulatory Communication, Northern Trust

“Kellogg’s Leading the Next Renaissance program is the new model of executive education. The experiential learning experience was highly interactive and hands-on in Florence and Tuscany. Leslie and Noshir are such seasoned professors. The training model they designed for AI proves that Kellogg always stay innovative on business education.”
Chief Development Officer, Rendr

“Lorenzo de’ Medici is quoted as saying, ‘It is advisable to play and spend good times.’ That’s exactly what we did for six glorious days in Florence learning about the power of networks and how to apply that knowledge to the current renaissance. Along the way we formed genuine personal relationships with classmates as we dived deep into the carefully curated curriculum expertly delivered by Professors Noshir Contractor and Leslie DeChurch.

We may have also explored extraordinary vineyards, historic churches, legendary artworks and sipped an Amaro or two along the journey.”
Health Advisory Board Member, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

“Must attend for young and upcoming mid-career professionals who want to understand the science of leadership while developing and further honing their leadership skills. [The] backdrop for learning, given the location in and around Florence, [along with] phenomenal, world-renowned instructors [and] world-class content based on lifelong learnings from history and scientifically curated, research-based concepts on leadership, was a potent mixture for learning.

The program was wonderfully curated to blend learning with fun during an amazing week spent with like-minded colleagues from large and diverse companies spanning different industries. Great for people to discover not only the history of the Renaissance, which was a great inflection point in the history of mankind, but more importantly, how we can apply the lessons learned to today’s world as we go through another inflection point in mankind caused by AI.”
Kellogg School of Management Alumnus

"[The program] was outstanding! It was incredible how the history of Florence could teach such valuable lessons about leadership and innovation. I really enjoyed learning about direct and indirect networks of contacts, and I loved how AI was woven throughout the course. The interactive exercises accelerated our learning throughout the course by helping us to utilize the theories being explored during the sessions.

The networking, which naturally occurred through bus rides, meals together and on-site tours, was excellent; in fact, our classmates and professors still stay in touch months after the class ended! Even though this was my first trip to Italy, Professors DeChurch and Contractor were so warm, helpful, and welcoming that I never felt out of place. I sincerely appreciated how both professors shared their world-class teaching and research experience while welcoming any type of questions from the students.

In summary, I highly recommend this course to others, especially those who want to push themselves in a dynamic yet comfortable environment."
Owner, PMTrust LLC

“An unforgettable week! Educational and fascinating, the program showed how the Medici built their success through networks of banking, alliances and patronage, just as networks shape our success today. I was equally inspired by the powerful women who led well ahead of their time. The professors were dynamic and engaged, often continuing conversations well beyond the sessions. The food and wine were fantastic. Meeting interesting new people and reconnecting with fellow alumni topped off a remarkable week. I came away with ideas I'm already applying. Highly recommended for everyone!”
Chief Sales Officer, SKYY Development

“Phenomenal program. I am considering doing it again. Great mix of history, art, leadership and networking. Superb professors and outstanding Kellogg alumni on the trip. Learned so much from formal lectures. Also, [we were able] to tour Florence and Siena and [get] a behind the scenes view of current and past events. An absolute must for anyone who loves art, history and Italy. 100/100 score. A magical week.”
Clinical Professor, UCLA Health