The Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is designed to develop emerging leaders within our secondary and post-secondary counseling communities. Post-secondary participants must serve in a middle management position (4+ years of experience preferred). Secondary school participants should have experience in school-based counseling (4+ years of experience preferred) and aspire to serve as a director or department lead in counseling. Participants are paired with a mentor who supports them throughout the LDI program. The expectation is that LDI graduates will commit to serving in a future leadership role within WACAC.
LDI 2026
January 29-30
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles (Doheny Campus)
Submit your nomination form by Friday, Oct. 17. All nominees will be notified by Friday, Oct. 24, and they will need to confirm attendance by Saturday, Nov. 1.
Interested in being a mentor? Please submit an interest form by Friday, Oct. 17.
What The Program Covers:
- WACAC covers the cost of the two-day program
- Flights to and from LDI within the current Fiscal Policy
- Double-occupancy hotel room (single-occupancy rooms available at additional cost to participants)
- WACAC conference registration fees
If you have any questions, please contact the Professional Development Co-Chairs at wacacpd@wacac.org.
Class of 2023
Mentees
Allison Bly, Carondelet High School
Elissa Couch, Pahrump Valley High School
Emilia Flores, Sequoia High School
David Girvan, Pitzer College
Erin Kim, Granada Hill Charter
Chuck Liddard, Rolling Hills Prep
Duanduan Heish, Occidental College
Kelly Pjesky, OSU (Regional)
Chris O’Sullivan, University of Iowa (Regional)
Serey Teleke, UCLA
Mentors
Amy Kruger, Oaks Christian School
Rebecca Munda, Athenian School
Sonia Ryan, Justin-Siena School
Linh Snyder, Malibu High School
Chris White, High Tech High
Jim Bonner, University of San Diego
Ed Devine, Xavier University
Becky Konowicz, Santa Clara
Ashley Pallie, CalTech
Robert Penman, UCDavis
Class of 2020
Mentees
Robin Hamilton, Occidental College
Amanda Hottinger, Texas Christian University (regional)
Stefan Montouth, UC Berkeley
Jon Rice, University of San Francisco
Yaneli Ruiz, Claremont McKenna College
Brittany Slaughter, Elon University (regional)
Jai Ulrich, Whittier College
Connie Wu, UC Los Angeles
Mentors
Cuca Acosta, UC Santa Barbara
Raissa Diamante, Harvey Mudd College
Becky Chassin, University of Southern California
Brian O’Rourke, Mt. St. Mary’s University
Adam Sapp, Pomona College
Corinne Schell, Marist College
Carin Smith, DePaul University
Belinda Sandoval, University of Redlands