about the ipa

IPA Rising
Leaders Program

overview

The IPA’s Rising Leaders Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders by providing practical industry education, leadership development, and mentorship. We aim to equip participants with the skills, insights, and network necessary to navigate and excel in the evolving world of alternative investments.

guiding principles

Working to inform and advance our strategic priorities.

The following guiding principles serve to demonstrate our commitment to providing access to alternative investments, in order to create balanced and diversified portfolios for individual investors, with the goal of improving performance and reducing unnecessary investment risk.

The guiding principles reflect and explicitly define our ongoing commitment to educating and empowering investors with straight-forward, transparent and easy-to-understand information to make good financial decisions when considering portfolio diversifying investments. These principles act as a framework to guide our association, our members, financial advisors and other industry stakeholders on how as we provide national leadership, together to provide access to alternatives.

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Program Benefits

Leadership Development: Tailored programs and resources that focus on critical skills aimed to empower you to take on greater responsibilities in the industry.

Alternatives Focused Content: Learn about emerging industry trends, best practices, and product specifics from seasoned alternatives industry professionals.

Relationship Building: Form meaningful connections with Rising Leaders peers and senior IPA Members through small group cohorts, breakout discussions at IPASummit and IPAVision, and regional networking functions.

Program Overview

Monthly Virtual Presentations combining engaging content and small-group cohort discussions.

Dedicated Content at IPAVision and IPASummit with breakout discussions and networking functions.

Networking Opportunities with the Rising Leader cohort, Rising Leader Alumni, and senior IPA Members throughout the program.

Community Gatherings with the Rising Leader Class and Alumni throughout the term.

Leadership Resource Center with relevant podcasts, books, articles, TED Talks, etc.

Capstone Event at the IPAVision 2026 Conference.

Qualifications

3-10 years of relevant industry experience.

Currently employed by an IPA member company; limit of one Rising Leader per company.

Commitment to participate in at least 80% of virtual programming and discussion cohorts during your term.

Ability to attend each IPAVision and IPASummit conference during term.

Provide one (1) letter of professional recommendation.

The application period for 2025-2026 is now closed. The application period for the 2027-2028 cohort will open in July 2026.