DAVITTO LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
WHO WE ARE
At The Davitto Leadership Academy (DLA), we are dedicated to empowering youth to become the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to provide high-level training and mentorship to young individuals between the ages of 14-24, guiding them to lead with heart and embrace the AES philosophy of heart work. Our academy is not just about teaching leadership skills but also about fostering meaningful relationships, building trust, and creating a sense of community. Through our comprehensive programs, we strive to equip young leaders with the tools they need to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
The Davitto Leadership Academy stands out because we focus on holistic development. We believe that true leadership goes beyond technical skills—it requires emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to inspire and connect with others. Our programs are designed to help youth discover their unique leadership styles, develop job readiness skills, and gain practical experience in running organizations.
By joining DLA, participants will not only receive top-notch training but also become part of a supportive network that values heart work and lasting connections. We are committed to nurturing leaders who can transform their potential into impactful actions.
Cohort 2024 (June 17th-June 21st)
- Dates: June 17th – June 21st, 10am-3pm
- Goal: Provide high-level training to a pre-selected group of youth aged 14-24, teaching them to lead with heart and embracing the AES philosophy of heart work.
- Outcome: Establish a sense of leadership style and potential, gain skills related to leading and running organizations, and develop job readiness skills.
- Structure:- Morning Sessions: Focus on barriers, building trust, understanding meaningful relationships, and setting up the day with the AES style of curriculum.
– Afternoon Sessions: Specific skill-building with AES Consultancy Brokerage professionals.
The 2024 cohort of the Davitto Leadership Academy was designed to be a transformative experience. Participants left the DLA with a strong sense of their leadership potential, practical skills for job readiness, and a clear vision for their future.
Peer Mentors & Advisory Board
The very first group of DLA Peer Mentors got together to learn mentorship skills, enhance their public speaking, and trained for the very first Cohort of DLA Participants. Peer Mentors learned the importance of leadership by analyzing their true selves with activities that promote trust, communication, and support which are key values that hold true to the Davitto Leadership Academy. After the DLA Mentors met one another, a new group of Advisory Board Mentors for the DLA got together to build relationships with Peer Mentors and understood the importance of cross cultural and cross generational mentorship.
DLA Levels 1-4 launched the very first group of DLA Participants, Peer Mentors, and Advisory Board Mentors who got together for the first time to build a community of support through telling their stories and embracing one another. Through this, Participants enhanced their ability to speak about the struggles and issues that make them who they are. By building the necessary trust and support, DLA Participants created long lasting relationships with their Peer Mentors and Advisory Board Mentors that will be used further into the future through cross cultural and cross generational mentorship.
The DLA Cohort 1 Graduation celebrated the achievements of our very first group of Participants. DLA students presented their passion projects to their mentors, community members, and families. Topics such as education, mentorship, immigration, mental health, and sustainability were discussed by our first wave of DLA Participants all of whom spoke of by relating back to their personal struggles and life stories. Through this, scholarships were offered to Simpson University and further opportunities presented through the completion of Level 3.
The second cohort of the DLA ends level 1 and 2 on a high by celebrating their accomplishments on May 4th, 2019. DLA Participants presented on topics such as; police relations, educational equity, and mental health awareness. These passion projects set forth new goals for AES to support youth voice and empowered not only Participants of the DLA but also their families, mentors, and community members who attend the Initiation in support of youth voice.