What We Do

Building a Connected Culture

When business, education, and community organizations partner, they can develop an interconnected culture and find creative ways to lead thoughfully, solve problems, and improve their communities.

Our Leadership Programs

Successful interactions do not just happen; instead, they are developed and learned through intention, experience, and over time—centering human relations. Our flagship Virtual Intercultural Leadership Academy (VILA) program is designed to foster leadership skills and intercultural competence among participants from varied perspectives and backgrounds. VILA offers comprehensive learning activities through a variety of engaging experiences and opportunities that enable participants to lead wisely and with intent.

We help leaders build capacity to relate–interact–grow through collaboration and systems frameworks, enabling personal, team, and collective impact that is effective in their communities and with the people they work with every day.

Leading, engaging, and working together for the greater good. 

Our Programs

Virtual Intercultural Leadership Academy (VILA) | 7-Week Cohort Experience

The Virtual Intercultural Leadership Academy (VILA) is a seven-week immersive program designed to connect across cultures and strengthen leadership through the lens of human connection and intercultural growth. This intensive experience blends theory and practice, guiding participants through weekly modules that deepen self-awareness, enhance interpersonal effectiveness, and equip them to lead more intentionally in real-world settings.

  • Ideal for both emerging and experienced leaders

  • Includes the research-based Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI®)

  • Introduces the Intercultural Leadership Practices® ERUA® framework — Empathy, Respect, Understanding, and Adaptability

  • Supports transformative leadership development

  • Encourages reflection, peer learning, and practical application

  • Builds inclusive, responsive, and people-centered leadership habits

Whether you are leading teams, supporting community efforts, or driving change within your organization, VILA offers the tools and mindset to lead with purpose in today’s interconnected world.

October – November 2025

Foundations of Intercultural Leadership

Discover how our personal experiences and backgrounds shape the way we lead and connect with others. Build awareness of the perspectives that influence your leadership.

Intercultural Competence in Leadership

Learn key components of intercultural competence and how they enhance your leadership effectiveness. Understand how to develop the mindset and skillset to engage across varied perspectives.

Achieving Leadership Styles

Explore the Connective Leadership® framework and learn how to choose your achieving style and lead collaboratively, build inclusive coalitions, and leverage the strengths of team members.

Communicating Across Cultures

Improve your ability to communicate clearly and respectfully, especially when interacting with individuals who may think or act differently from you.

Conflict Resolution in Professional Settings

Examine how cultural values impact conflict styles and practice strategies for navigating disagreement while maintaining relationships.

Creating Collaborative and Engaged Environments

Explore ways to make others feel valued, heard, and included in group settings. Discover small changes that make a big difference in how people experience your leadership.

Strategic Leadership and Culture Change Approach

Explore how intercultural leaders can intentionally influence systems and drive sustainable cultural change within their organizations or communities.

$597/Person | 7-Week Intensive Experience – 2.5-Hour Live Session

REGISTER

Virtual Intercultural Leadership Masterclass (VILM) | Standalone Sessions

These stand-alone masterclass sessions are designed for professionals and emerging leaders. This 2.5-hour experience provides practical tools to strengthen relationships, enhance communication, and lead with empathy and adaptability, helping you build trust, collaborate effectively, and respond with creativity in today’s interconnected world.

Foundations of Intercultural Leadership

Discover how our personal experiences and backgrounds shape the way we lead and connect with others. Build awareness of the perspectives that influence your leadership.

Oct. 2, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Intercultural Competence in Leadership

Learn key components of intercultural competence and how they enhance your leadership effectiveness. Understand how to develop the mindset and skillset to engage across perspectives.

Oct. 9, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Achieving Leadership Styles

Explore the Connective Leadership® framework and learn how to choose your achieving style and lead collaboratively, build inclusive coalitions, and leverage the strengths of team members.

Oct. 16, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Communicating Across Cultures

Improve your ability to communicate clearly and respectfully, especially when interacting with individuals who may think or act differently from you.

Oct. 23, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Conflict Resolution in Professional Settings

Examine how cultural values impact conflict styles and practice strategies for navigating disagreement while maintaining relationships.

Oct. 30, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Creating Collaborative and Engaged Environments

Explore ways to make others feel valued, heard, and included in group settings. Discover small changes that make a big difference in how people experience your leadership.

Nov. 6, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

Strategic Leadership and Culture Change Process

Explore how intercultural leaders can intentionally influence systems and drive sustainable cultural change within their organizations or communities.

Nov. 20, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ET

$87/Person | 2.5-Hour Live Session

REGISTER

Intercultural Leadership Retreat (ILR) | In-Person Experience

The Intercultural Leadership Retreat in-person options are available in one-day or three-day retreat formats, and focus on self, team, or organization. The Intercultural Leadership Retreat is a full-day, immersive experience designed to equip leaders with the awareness, knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to lead effectively and inclusively in today’s interconnected glocal context.

Grounded in human systems and frameworks—the retreat offers a carefully sequenced series of facilitated experiences. Through real-world examples, interactive sessions, and reflective dialogue, participants will deepen their self-awareness, strengthen cross-professional communication, and explore actionable strategies to grow  leadership capacity at the personal, team, and organizational levels. Optional add-ons include the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), offering leaders individualized feedback and guided development plans to support long-term growth in intercultural competence. A group profile is also available, but requires all participants to complete the individual IDI®. 

This retreat is ideal for leaders seeking to:

  • Improve cultural agility to lead diverse teams effectively
  • Build genuine connections across varied perspectives and identities
  • Practice inclusive leadership techniques to engage glocal teams
  • Embed human-centered values in daily leadership practice

Choose Your Experience and options that best align with your leadership goals and organizational needs.

One-day or three-day retreat experiences are available. 

Option A

Self-Leadership Development: Ideal for individual contributors, emerging leaders, or cross-functional teams

Option B

Team Leadership Development: Ideal for intact teams, departments, or groups seeking cohesion and collaboration

Option C

Organizational Development – Strategic Leadership for Culture and Change: Ideal for leaders shaping team culture, driving organizational change, or aligning strategy to build inclusive, collaborative, high-performing environments

CONTACT US

Workforce Readiness Academy | High School and Young Adult Learners | In-Person Sessions

Building Employability Skills for School – Jobs – Life

Strong personal and people skills are the foundation for successful careers. Identifying and building these skills can be challenging. The Workforce Readiness Academy helps youth develop these essential skills using a clear skills framework, providing guidance, activities, and support to prepare them for future work and life opportunities.

This six-week course helps students ages 16–24 prepare for jobs, careers, and leadership opportunities. Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, participants develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional behavior, while strengthening their ability to lead and collaborate effectively. They will define a common purpose, explore how values shape culture, and see how leadership, active engagement, and situational awareness create measurable impact. The program also fosters respectful problem-solving, socially responsible decision-making, and the ability to balance big-picture thinking with practical action—preparing emerging leaders to contribute meaningfully to any group, organization, or community.

This program is for you if you want to lead thoughtfully and build a connected culture through two core areas:

  • Developing Self-Motivation – Gain a fresh perspective on leadership, discover your personal drivers, and build the confidence to take smart risks while aligning your values with your actions.
  • Inspiring Personal Leadership – Strengthen collaboration, define shared purpose, navigate conflict constructively, and practice socially responsible leadership that creates positive impact.

CONTACT FOR GROUP PRICING

NextGen Glocal Leaders | High School Virtual Sessions (Coming Soon)

Leading Locally. Impacting Globally

NextGen Glocal Leaders is a unique, virtual program for teens ages 14–17 designed to cultivate global skills, intercultural understanding, and leadership confidence. Participants engage in a safe, minors-only learning community where they connect with peers worldwide, explore diverse perspectives, and develop practical tools to make a positive impact in their local and global communities.

Leadership Growth Pathways | Assessment • Coaching • Dialogue

Contact for individual or group pricing. Available as standalone or integrated services.

Strengthen your leadership and intercultural competence through an integrated approach that combines assessment, self-awareness, dialogue, and practical strategies for growth.

    • Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®)Apply the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) to expand leadership capacity. This research-based tool helps leaders assess their ability to shift perspectives and adapt practices across differences and commonalities. Through a 60–90 minute individual debrief, with an optional group session, leaders gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and a clear path to strengthen their intercultural competence in daily leadership and decision-making.

    • Personal Leadership Coaching – Engage in one-on-one Personal Leadership Coaching to deepen leadership effectiveness. Coaching supports leaders in moving beyond cultural constraints, leveraging their full intelligence, and applying practical strategies for growth. Each session builds clarity and confidence, helping leaders apply new skills with impact in their daily roles and relationships.

    • Intercultural Story Circles and World Café Experiences – Participate in Intercultural Story Circles and World Café Experiences to practice conversational leadership through meaningful dialogue on issues shaping organizations and communities. These experiences strengthen listening, perspective-taking, and trust, while fostering spaces for reflection and connection. Each session generates shared insights that leaders can carry forward into daily leadership practice and community engagement.

Who We Serve: Rooted in South Bend-Elkhart Region, Impacting Local, National, International Communities

Based on our recent assessment, approximately 65% of the Intercultural Relations Institute’s work is conducted within South Bend-Elkhart County, focusing on community outreach, workshops, and collaborative projects that promote intercultural capacity and inclusive leadership practices. The remaining 35% of our efforts extend to state, national, and international implementation, expanding our impact through broader programs and initiatives that drive intercultural engagement and cross-cultural practices on a larger scale.

  • South Bend-Elkhart County Implementation  65% 65%
  • State, National, and International Implementation  35% 35%
  • Thought Leadership Conference Participation 65% 65%

In 2023, a consistent 65% of attendees came from the South Bend-Elkhart region, even throughout the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This enduring participation highlights the critical role our services play within the community and nation.

Sustained local engagement directly aligns with our core mission: fostering a vibrant network that connects business leaders, educational institutions, and community thought leaders. By prioritizing global communities, we actively cultivate a collaborative ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders and invests in local and broad-based leadership.

Conference

Thought Leadership Conference: Features a diverse speaker lineup, intentional networking opportunities, and ongoing support resources.

Community

Virtual Thought Leadership Community: Offers access to subject matter experts, measurable inclusion tools, and organizational development resources.

Academy

Virtual Intercultural Leadership Academy (VILA): Offers a seven-week immersive program designed to strengthen leadership through the lens of human relations and a growth mindset.

Symposium

Youth Empowerment Symposium (YES!): Builds career readiness and soft skills to help students grow as leaders in their schools and communities.

Generating Change for Greater Impact

Interactive Virtual Sessions

Engage with instructors and peers in live, facilitated sessions.

In-depth Discussions

Explore key concepts and share real-world experiences.

Practical Activities

Apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios and develop actionable strategies.

Our Mission Is to Build the Foundation of a Better Future

Future