Executive Leadership
Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities Program
Priority Deadline: November 16, 2025, 11:59 p.m. HST
Strengthening Native Nations and Finance Leaders Across the World
Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities (LPIBSC) is an executive education program developed in partnership with NAFOA, Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education, and AFOA Canada. The program equips Tribal and Indigenous leaders and finance professionals with the skills to strengthen innovative, high-performing communities and organizations.
Each year, a select international cohort gathers for a week on the HBS campus. Participants include Tribal leaders and finance professionals from the United States, First Nations leaders and professionals from Canada, Māori professionals from New Zealand, and Aboriginal professionals from Australia.
Through interactive learning with world-class HBS faculty and Native guest speakers, participants gain diverse insights, build lasting connections, and earn a Harvard Business School Certificate of Program Completion.
Learning at Harvard Business School
Investment Governance
Make informed decisions about different approaches to portfolio management.
Implement effective governance structures.
Utilize valuation techniques for assessing investment opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Finance
Develop a framework for evaluating early stage ventures.
Make informed decisions about how incorporate different assets into your portfolio.
Negotiations
Identify effective ways of engaging with diverse and numerous stakeholders.
Utilize frameworks for effective negotiation independently and within a team.
Change Management
Develop effective strategies for leading complex and dynamic organizations.
Enhance your leadership capabilities and develop strategies to enact positive change in your community.
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your learning group, and in the larger classroom driven by the renowned HBS Case Study Method.
This program provides you with the opportunity to view community investments in a broader context. While it is important to understand investment tools, strategies, and products, it is equally important to understand how governance practices can shape the management of investments. By examining different institutions and covering topics such as entrepreneurial finance, negotiations, and change management, this program provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of investment management. You will build the skills and confidence to immediately apply financial analysis techniques, set realistic performance goals, and play a bigger role in helping your community optimize its financial resources and strengthen its sustainability.
2026 Program Details
Application Deadline
For priority consideration and financial assistance, submit your application by Sunday, November 16, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. After this date, we will continue to accept rolling applications until the class is full, but financial assistance is not guaranteed.
Dates: May 4-8, 2026
Monday 12:00 p.m. through Friday 12:00 p.m.
Sessions will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday. Some group events and meetings may also take place outside of scheduled hours.
Check-in is available Monday morning, and check-out is Friday afternoon.
PROGRAM FEE: $3,750
The fee covers tuition, books, case materials, housing/accommodations, and meals/snacks. Payment is due upon admission into the program.
Limited financial assistance is available. Please complete the “Financial Needs Statement” portion of the application. Early application is encouraged.
Location & Accomodations
In Residence
Harvard Business School
Harvard University Campus
Boston, MA 02163
All program participants will live on campus in HBS residence halls for the week. You will be placed in a learning group with fellow participants. Learning groups will share a common lounge area, but each person will have their own private room with an en-suite bathroom and hotel-like amenities.
The cost of your on-campus stay is included in the program fee.
More Information About Accomodations
Application Process
The LPIBSC program is designed to be most beneficial to:
- Tribal government leaders, including Chiefs, Chairpersons, Chief Executive Officers, Treasurers, Chiefs of Staff, and Senior Administrators.
- Finance professionals, including Chief Financial Officers, Executive Officers, Senior Financial Managers, and Senior Accounting Staff, with experience working in or with a Tribal Nation or Native organization.
Please complete and submit an application form with an attached resume or CV. NAFOA maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email.
2026 Priority Deadline:
Sunday, November 16, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time
There is a limited number of spaces available for U.S. participants. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-March.
Applicants will be selected based on the quality of their application, professional experience, and community involvement. There are no formal educational requirements.
To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, NAFOA will utilize the Admissions Criteria outlined by Harvard University.
NAFOA will make selections that balance each participant’s experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. NAFOA will seek candidates who reflect a broad range of functions and backgrounds.
The $3,750 program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, on-campus housing and accommodations, and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and breaks).
No payment is necessary until you have been accepted, but payment is required prior to the program start date.
Financial Assistance
NAFOA has a limited amount of financial assistance that we can provide to program participants. If you would like to apply, please complete the “Financial Needs Statement” portion of the application. Please note: submission of a financial needs statement does not guarantee financial assistance. Early application is encouraged.
Cancellation Policies
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to education@nafoa.org for consideration. Participant cancellations must be made more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.
Participant Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact education@nafoa.org.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
NAFOA has a limited amount of financial assistance that we can provide to program participants. If you would like to apply, please complete the “Financial Needs Statement” portion of the application.
Please note: submission of a financial needs statement does not guarantee financial assistance.
Are there educational requirements?
There are no formal educational requirements. Admission is a selective process based on your professional achievements, organizational responsibilities, and community involvement.
Do I need to be employed with a Member Tribe to apply?
No, you do not need to be affiliated or employed with a NAFOA Member Tribe to apply.
How do I pay the program fees?
No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. We will contact selected participants with payment instructions.
Payment is required prior to the program start date for those selected to attend.
Will I earn educational credit or certification with this program?
Upon successful completion, all participants will be awarded a Harvard Business School Certificate of Program Completion.
What is housing/accommodations like at HBS?
Participants will stay on campus at HBS residence halls. Each participant has a private room with an en-suite bathroom and in-room workspace. Amenities like high-speed internet, housekeeping, and laundry services are all available during your stay.
Residence halls include shared lounges and courtyards for connecting with peers. You’ll also have access to campus amenities such as dining at the Chao Center, the fitness center, and Baker Library.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided at the Chao Center for all participants. Light refreshments and snacks will also be provided outside of the classroom during breaks.
When should I plan to arrive/depart?
Plan to arrive Monday morning to check in before the program officially begins around noon. Participants traveling long distances may find it helpful to arrive a day early and stay at a nearby hotel to ensure a smooth start.
For departure, you can schedule travel anytime on Friday afternoon after the program concludes.
What is the program schedule like?
LPIBSC is a 4.5-day program that requires full attendance. The program starts on Monday with check-in beginning at 8:00 a.m. and sessions starting around noon. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are full program days running from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The program concludes midday on Friday.
To receive the most out of the program, group events and meetings outside of these hours may also be required.
Who will be teaching the program?
The program is taught by Harvard faculty members using the HBS Case Method and will feature guest speakers from Native communities.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to education@nafoa.org for consideration. Participant cancellations must be made more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.
LPIBSC Partners & Supporters
To learn more about giving to the NAFOA Institute, email Cody Harjo, Institute Director, at cody@nafoa.org.
