National Emerging Leaders Program
About the Program
NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program is designed to give talented funeral directors the tools, support and opportunities they need to succeed. The goal of the program is to attract, develop and retain transformational leaders.
Participants from across the nation meet virtually seven times throughout the year and twice in person: at a retreat in June of 2025 to kick-off the program and at the NFDA Leadership Conference in 2026.
Participants have the opportunity to network and engage with leaders inside and outside of the funeral service profession to sharpen their
skills.
NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program features a practical and theoretical approach to advanced leadership topics, including:
- Mentorship
- Ethical leadership
- Employee relations
- Collaborative decision-making
- Strategic planning
- Servant leadership
- Communications skills
- Small business ownership
Submission Cycle
- February 17-April 15, 2026.
- Selected participants were notified at the end of April.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to all early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First-career funeral directors licensed at least three years.
- Second-career funeral directors licensed at least one year.
- Full-time funeral home employment required.
Submission Requirements
Essay Questions
Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question.
Video
Each candidate is required to submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Terms and Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Twenty participants will be selected for the 2025-2026 program.
- This year-long program for 20 select individuals will begin with a retreat at the NFDA Headquarters June 22 – 24, 2025, and end at the NFDA Leadership Conference in the summer of 2026.
- Participants will also meet virtually approximately seven times throughout the year to learn from experts, both from within the profession and outside authorities. Participants must attend all virtual sessions.
- The National Emerging Leadership Program requires an investment of $1,500 that includes:
- Retreat fees and the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Printed educational materials.
- CE hours.
- High-level networking with leaders in the funeral profession.
- And more
- Participants will receive a travel reimbursement of up to $500 each for both the 2025 retreat and 2026 Leadership Conference to help offset the costs of airfare, hotel and meals.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a selected participant decides not to accept the program award.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA’s Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.
Hear it from program participants!