NOTA Pioneers in Practice Leadership Development Program – Goals and Objectives

Program Purpose & Rationale

The Pioneers in Practice Leadership Pilot is designed to cultivate the next generation of OT leaders in Nevada by aligning professional growth with NOTA’s mission: Advancing occupational therapy through advocacy, innovation, and connection.

Drawing from best practices in leadership development (Harvard Business, MIT, Center for Creative Leadership, McCauley & Palus, 2021), this pilot embeds mentorship, experiential learning, and developmental progression to ensure participants leave with the skills, networks, and confidence to lead.

Program Goal

To increase the involvement of members and encourage their active engagement as leaders in the organization and ambassadors in allied health, ensuring a sustainable leadership pipeline for NOTA and Nevada’s OT community.

Objective	Description
Develop a leadership pipeline	Identify and recruit emerging leaders (students, early-career practitioners, or professionals transitioning into leadership). Build a sustainable pipeline by engaging alumni as future mentors and leaders within NOTA.
Foster a Culture of Leadership	Strengthen member engagement through leadership opportunities embedded in NOTA committees, districts, and special interest groups. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all programming. Align leadership growth with the DAC Framework (Direction, Alignment, Commitment).
Implement Comprehensive Leadership Development Programming	Launch the Pioneers in Practice structure, including:Kickoff Retreat (Jan 2026)Monthly Virtual Workshops (Jan–June 2026)Mentor Pairing with structured expectations and reflection toolsAction Project aligned with NOTA’s strategic goalsDAC Reflection Pods for peer learningLeadership Portfolio documenting growth and leadership artifactsCapstone Presentation at NOTA Rise Conference (June 2026)Provide developmentally staged progression: self-awareness → influence → systems thinking → strategic action.
Mentorship Embedded in Leadership Growth	Match each participant with a seasoned leader (1:1 ratio with flexibility). Provide structured mentor/mentee agreements, agendas, and progress tracking. Encourage reflective practice through guided discussion prompts and feedback loops.
Recognize and Celebrate Leadership	Showcase participant achievements through leadership portfolios, action projects, and capstone presentations. Highlight leadership contributions at NOTA’s annual conference, newsletters, and social media. Enhance the NOTA Awards Program to include recognition of emerging and innovative leaders.
Evaluate Program Effectiveness and Ensure Sustainability	Use pre/post leadership self-assessments, DAC framework check-ins, and mentor feedback to measure impact. Create a Leadership Readiness Checklist to prepare future participants. Establish an annual cohort-based model with alumni involvement for sustainability. Pursue grant funding and partnerships (e.g., AOTF, workforce development initiatives) to support long-term growth.