The James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership will receive nearly half a million dollars over the next three years to further develop the theory and practice of transformational leadership. The Fetzer Institute, a nonprofit, private foundation located in Kalamazoo, Michigan will work with the Academy to convene four retreats at Fetzer's Seasons meeting facility, one international conference, and, in conjunction with Jossey-Bass, publish three books to add to the working literature of the field.

“The Academy's approach to leadership at all levels supports the Fetzer Institute's mission,” said Fetzer Program Officer Mark Nepo. “Our project is anchored in the belief that most people throughout the world hope for social justice and participation, environmental sustainability, peace and shared prosperity. The achievement of these ends depends upon leadership at every level.”

“Grounded in the concept of transformational leadership, a term which James MacGregor Burns first introduced into our culture, the project will explore inner and outer leadership practices, and the theoretical constructs and models that explain how and why those practices work,” said Academy Director Carol Pearson.  

The first retreat, to be held in spring 2008, will focus on the Practice of Transformational Leadership. Subsequent retreats will explore the Practice of Transformational Leaders in Action and the Nature and Dynamics of Transformational Leadership, to be held in conjunction with Fetzer's Science team. Chapter authors will be invited to participate in a fourth retreat expected to be held in spring 2010, to collaborate on the writing of two books on transformational leadership, co-edited by Pearson and Senior Fellow Judy Brown.

The International Leadership Association's fall 2009 conference to be held in either Germany or Spain , will center on themes co-designed with Fetzer to address the emerging global community. A third book, edited by ILA Associate Director Shelly Wilsey, will result from the findings of the conference.

The Academy also hopes to develop a curriculum to educate leaders about the theories and practices of transformational leadership.