our strategic passion

Developing
Future Leaders

We believe the future success of our country depends on the next generation of leaders. There is a leadership gap in our country today. We believe that is due, in part, to an unmet need in education. Our research indicates that at least 91% of Americans think that students should learn leadership skills as part of their middle and high school education curriculum. Yet, the majority of students in our education system have limited access to focused leadership curriculum prior to starting their careers.  

The Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation is working to invest and scale leadership curriculum that teaches students to think and act like leaders. Our leadership pipeline focuses on curriculum starting at pre-K and ending upon graduation from college. We work with four strategic partners.

Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program

pre-K - 5th grade

Our strategic partner, Global Game Changers (GGC) believes that social-emotional skills, leadership skills, and character development come from empowering students to look around and consider what they can do to make this world a better place. The curriculum honors student voice and choice, gives students the tools to engage outside of themselves, and develops essential skills for the 21st-Century. The free program is evidence-based and aligned to Common Core, CASEL, and character.org. We are partnering with GGC to build their online presence, and scale implementation to a national level so that every child can recognize his or her potential to IGNITE GOOD. To learn more about the curriculum click here.

Lead4Change

6th - 12th GRADE

Lead4Change is the largest privately funded student leadership program in the country. Since its inception, over 2 million students have worked through the program and learned how to put the powerful leadership learnings into practice.

The program empowers students to lead in their community– but it also offers educators and facilitators a sense of higher purpose in their classrooms. Lead4Change educators and facilitators watch their students come together to solve a critical need. The lessons positively enhance the way educators and facilitators lead, making your work more fulfilling. To learn more about the curriculum click here.

Novak Leadership Institute at the University of Missouri

college/University

We established and fund the David Novak Leadership Institute at the University of Missouri. The world’s first institute for strategic communication leadership that offers a fresh approach to leadership education rooted in the principles of strategic communication and advertising. The educational program helps students effectively take charge of themselves and others through a mix of research, strategy, creativity, and collaboration. The curriculum is based on David Novak’s books, Taking People With You, O Great One!: A Little Story About the Awesome Power of Recognition, and Take Charge of You. It combines the reputation and resources of the world’s first School of Journalism with David Novak’s industry-tested principles of leadership. Courses and programs integrate the School of Journalism’s famous Missouri Method of Learning by offering students hands-on experience in leadership development, organizational communication, entrepreneurship and service.

The Institute features undergraduate and graduate courses; a lecture series and annual symposium; thought leadership and research; study abroad opportunities; service-learning partnerships; a certificate program in leadership; on-campus and online seminars and workshops; industry partnerships for apprenticeships and mentoring; and scholarships. The mission is to prepare lifelong learners who make a positive and meaningful impact in their organizations and communities. Click here to learn more.

David Novak Leadership, Inc.

entrepreneuer/career

We believe that everyone has the potential to be a great leader, no matter what age, background, career or ambition. That’s why every dollar we make goes back to serve the broader community of developing leaders. Our mission at David Novak Leadership is to develop a “Pipeline of Leaders” to meet today’s challenges.

Through this private operating foundation, we provide free or discounted leadership training to students and managers of other nonprofit organizations, and support leadership development initiatives.

Click here if you are interested in free curriculum for your nonprofit and to learn more about David Novak Leadership.