Next Chapter Program
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Program Dates
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Overview
You've led teams, built organizations and made your mark. Now, master the complex transition to what's next, whether it's launching a new venture, shifting your career path or focusing on community impact. The Next Chapter Program helps you stay connected, engaged and driven in an ever-changing world.
This seven-month transformational program, powered by the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning at UVA Darden, brings together accomplished, late-career leaders through immersive residential modules, monthly virtual sessions and exclusive "Best of UVA" experiences.
We invite you to join this community journey for accomplished leaders to forge your next chapter.
Intended For
Focus
Program Experience
Three Immersive, Week-Long Residencies
During three in-person residential modules at Darden in Charlottesville, you will hone your purpose, build bridges to the next generation and author your next chapter. Monthly virtual sessions over seven months will build on the learnings.
While in residency, you will stay on the Darden Grounds at The Forum Hotel, operated by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and ranked among the top 20 in Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Hotels in the South. Nestled amid a five-acre arboretum and botanical gardens, The Forum Hotel provides an inspired space for reflection and learning.
From the moment you step on Grounds, you'll enjoy Darden's concierge service. Our program team provides personal attention to support you — from pre-program logistics to ensuring you have everything you need during your stay.
World-Class Darden Faculty
Faculty
Elizabeth A. Powell
Julie Logan Sands Associate Professor of Business Administration, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Director, Compassionate Care Initiative
Martin N. Davidson
Johnson and Higgins Professor of Business Administration
Brian Moriarty
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Curated Cohort and Multi-Directional Mentorship
You will join a select group of senior leaders navigating similar transitions. You will also benefit from multi-directional mentorship — not only will you learn from successful peers who are later in their careers, you will engage with MBA students for cross-generational insight.
Personalized Coaching
One-on-one coaching will be tailored to your unique goals. Assessments and peer support will help you identify your core values and design your most meaningful chapter.
Ongoing Community
Participate in monthly virtual sessions between residencies. Access an exclusive online community of peers that continues long after the program ends.
Curriculum
Residential Module 1: Finding and Following Your North Star
Identifying strengths and values, decision-making frameworks, servant leadership, succession planning and disengaging your current organization, leaving a legacy, workshops on designing your life and finding your purpose, guest speakers, and daily wellness activities.
Residential Module 2: Building Bridges
Learn alongside UVA Darden MBA students to explore the best of UVA and society's biggest ideas for the future. Cross-generational insight, mutual mentorship and purpose-driven collaboration.
Residential Module 3: Authoring Your Next Chapter
Trends in technology, intergenerational communication, storytelling, rebranding yourself, art and science of happiness, reclaiming creativity, action plan presentations, guest speakers, peer coaching, business location visit, daily wellness activities.
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What You'll Gain
What You'll Gain
- Transition Management Identify your core values and purpose, adjust your mindset, build your personal brand.
- Strategic Planning Create a roadmap for your next chapter, develop board readiness skills, explore entrepreneurship or consulting.
- Health and Wellness Best practices for longevity, daily wellness activities, sustainable work-life integration.
- Purpose and Impact Align your next chapter with personal purpose, design meaningful community contributions, build your legacy.
- Lifelong Community Meaningful relationships with purpose-driven peers, ongoing networking, continued engagement and support.
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Who Should Attend
Who Should Attend
Accomplished, late-career leaders who possess deep expertise and a desire to contribute in meaningful ways:
- Senior executives and C-suite leaders approaching career transitions
- Entrepreneurs and business owners preparing succession plans
- Leaders transitioning to board service or nonprofit roles
- Professionals creating portfolio careers or seeking purpose beyond profit
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Why Choose Darden
Why Choose Darden
- Top-ranked executive education programs
- 26 Brandon Hall Group awards for excellence in leadership development
- Faculty ranked as the best in the world for bringing out the best in learners
- Proven case method learning approach
- Faculty personally teach the program, not adjuncts
- Need more reasons to choose Darden? Here are 21 more.
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Where You'll Learn & Stay
Premier Location
Enjoy our beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia, setting with award-winning accommodations set among botanical gardens. You’ll receive bespoke service and personalized attention throughout.
Dates of Residencies
- Residential Module 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 – Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
- Residential Module 2: Sunday, Jan. 3 – Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027
- Residential Module 3: Sunday, April 11 – Friday, April 16, 2027
Accommodations
Lodging is provided at The Forum Hotel for participants of this program as part of your program fee. If you register within 30 days of the program's first module start date, accommodations at our on-Grounds hotel cannot be guaranteed. Alternate lodging would be provided. We encourage you to register early to reserve your spot!
Enjoy access to all the hotel’s perks during your stay, including morning coffee and tea service, on-site fitness center, Birch & Bloom steakhouse, The Good Sport craft beer bar and large outdoor terrace.
What You'll Gain
- Transition Management Identify your core values and purpose, adjust your mindset, build your personal brand.
- Strategic Planning Create a roadmap for your next chapter, develop board readiness skills, explore entrepreneurship or consulting.
- Health and Wellness Best practices for longevity, daily wellness activities, sustainable work-life integration.
- Purpose and Impact Align your next chapter with personal purpose, design meaningful community contributions, build your legacy.
- Lifelong Community Meaningful relationships with purpose-driven peers, ongoing networking, continued engagement and support.
Who Should Attend
Accomplished, late-career leaders who possess deep expertise and a desire to contribute in meaningful ways:
- Senior executives and C-suite leaders approaching career transitions
- Entrepreneurs and business owners preparing succession plans
- Leaders transitioning to board service or nonprofit roles
- Professionals creating portfolio careers or seeking purpose beyond profit
Why Choose Darden
- Top-ranked executive education programs
- 26 Brandon Hall Group awards for excellence in leadership development
- Faculty ranked as the best in the world for bringing out the best in learners
- Proven case method learning approach
- Faculty personally teach the program, not adjuncts
- Need more reasons to choose Darden? Here are 21 more.
Premier Location
Enjoy our beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia, setting with award-winning accommodations set among botanical gardens. You’ll receive bespoke service and personalized attention throughout.
Dates of Residencies
- Residential Module 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 – Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
- Residential Module 2: Sunday, Jan. 3 – Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027
- Residential Module 3: Sunday, April 11 – Friday, April 16, 2027
Accommodations
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Lodging is provided at The Forum Hotel for participants of this program as part of your program fee. If you register within 30 days of the program's first module start date, accommodations at our on-Grounds hotel cannot be guaranteed. Alternate lodging would be provided. We encourage you to register early to reserve your spot!
Enjoy access to all the hotel’s perks during your stay, including morning coffee and tea service, on-site fitness center, Birch & Bloom steakhouse, The Good Sport craft beer bar and large outdoor terrace.
Your power to choose your direction of your life allows you to reinvent yourself, to change your future, and to powerfully influence the rest of creation.
Powered by the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
The Sands Institute is dedicated to innovation and supporting leaders at career inflection points with customizable, flexible programming focused on purpose and lifelong impact.
Ready to Design Your Next Chapter?
Program Details:
- Duration: Seven months
- Format: Three week-long residencies with monthly virtual sessions
- Location: UVA Darden School of Business, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Includes: Executive coaching, peer cohort, multi-directional mentorship, ongoing community access