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ILSS · Harish & Bina Shah Centre for Talent & Leadership
Strengthening Leadership for Scale
The Advanced Nonprofit Leadership and Management (ANLM) program is a practice-focused initiative designed for N-1 leaders and founders/CEOs of emerging nonprofits. It equips participants with cutting-edge insights, practical tools, and actionable frameworks to lead and manage organisations effectively in the Indian context.
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Program starts
Aug 20, 2026
20 seats remaining
Program Mode
Hybrid program
Duration
11 Weeks
3 days residential in week 1 & 2 days residential in week 11 in Delhi NCR
Program fee
₹1.5L + GST
Limited scholarships available
Harish & Bina Shah Centre for Talent & Leadership
at ILSS
A Program by India’s leading social sector leadership ecosystem.
At the Harish & Bina Shah Centre for Talent & Leadership, we believe unlocking human potential is the key to accelerating India’s progress. We’re building an inclusive community of changemakers – individuals from diverse sectors, identities, and lived experiences – equipped with the mindset, skills, and networks to lead with purpose. Our vision is to be the leading voice in social sector leadership by 2030 – mobilising the ecosystem, nurturing 2,200 crossover leaders and 250 sector-grown leaders, and creating widely emulated thought leadership.
About the centre
The future demands Strategic Leadership. We’re here to build it.
The Problem
Dynamic times don’t wait for decisive leaders.
How do you decide well, when the ground keeps moving?
ANLM is designed for the inflection point where capable nonprofit leaders must evolve into strategic leaders who build systems, scale impact, and future-proof their organisations.
Strategic capability gap
Senior leaders need stronger managment skills to navigate uncertainty, think systemically, and drive sustainable, long-term impact.
Rising complexity in a constantly shifting ecosystem
Leaders are tackling interconnected, non-linear challenges while simultaneously adapting to rapid changes in technology, donor expectations, regulations, and global contexts.
Resource constraints
Leaders must deliver greater impact while managing limited funding, lean teams, and increasing pressure to do more with less.Through the program, you will transition from operational to strategic leadership, build core management and people leadership capabilities, drive execution and sustainability, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and grow through self-awareness and a trusted peer network.
See how
Outcomes
After this Program, you will…
Navigate strategic leadership with confidence and clarity in a VUCA world
Apply systems thinking to understand interconnected social, economic, and environmental dynamics, and identifying meaningful levers of change
Recruit, retain, and plan succession for values- aligned teams
Strengthen strategic vision, stakeholder engagement, and board-level alignment
Expand your network into a lifelong professional resource.
Balance immediate needs with long-term goals
Diversify revenue streams and strengthen financial planning to manage volatility
Design internal accountability systems that foster learning, not just reporting.
Leverage data, digital tools, and peer networks to lead through ambiguity and return with an actionable plan
Built for leaders at this inflection point
Do you want to…
-
Move from operational management to strategic leadership -
Strengthen people leadership, culture, delegation, and succession -
Manage budgets, projects, and long-term sustainability with confidence -
Develop self-awareness, resilience, and reflective leadership practices -
Turn vision into clear strategy, execution, and measurable outcomes -
Build management capability across finance, fundraising, governance, MEL, and digital -
Strengthen stakeholder engagement and partnerships -
Join a trusted network for collaboration and collective learning
Eligibility: Organisation in existence 3+ years · Annual budget ₹3–5 crore+ · 8+ years of leadership experience
ANLM is designed for:
Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors & COOs
Small to mid-sized social purpose organisations
(₹3–5 crore+ revenue, 8+ years’ experience.)
Emerging Leaders
Emerging leaders in succession pipelines and those navigating leadership or scale transitions
Senior & Second-Line (N-1) Leaders
Leaders transitioning from operational to strategic roles.
Corporate Professionals
Corporate professionals (8+ years’ experience) looking to build or transition into social enterprises
Learning architecture
How you’ll learn.
Pre-program
Orientation
Week 1 · In-person
Residential in Delhi NCR — Orientation and foundational sessions
Weeks 2–10 · Virtual
10 weeks of online learning — Live sessions, peer learning, action learning projects, mentoring
Week 11 · In-person
Residential in Delhi NCR — Capstone and graduation.
Learning approaches
Blended learning
A combination of online sessions and in-person immersions to balance flexibility with deep relationship-building.
Experts and practitioner-led facilitation
Sessions led by a synergy of domain experts, seasoned nonprofit leaders, and sector practitioners.
Problem-solving exercises
Hands-on, scenario-based activities designed to tackle complex issues through a systems-thinking lens.
Flipped classroom model
Utilising pre-session resources and in-class interactions for deeper engagement and application of concepts.
Critical thinking and reflection
Encourage reflective practices and critical analysis to connect learning to leadership challenges.
Alumni network
OOpportunities to engage with ILSS’ wider alumni network of crossover and home-grown sector leaders.
Cohort-based journey
A consistent peer group designed to foster trust, mutual accountability, and long-term professional relationships.
Case-based learning
Analysis of real-world, sector-relevant cases to explore and apply theories and frameworks.
Peer learning and collaboration
Foster dialogue and collective problem-solving through group discussions and structured workshops.
Action learning projects
Design and implement real-world projects to apply and evaluate learning.
Mentorship
Embedded mentoring support to deepen leadership growth.
Blended learning
A combination of online sessions and in-person immersions to balance flexibility with deep relationship-building.
Experts and practitioner-led facilitation
Sessions led by a synergy of domain experts, seasoned nonprofit leaders, and sector practitioners.
Problem-solving exercises
Hands-on, scenario-based activities designed to tackle complex issues through a systems-thinking lens.
Flipped classroom model
Utilising pre-session resources and in-class interactions for deeper engagement and application of concepts.
Critical thinking and reflection
Encourage reflective practices and critical analysis to connect learning to leadership challenges.
Alumni network
OOpportunities to engage with ILSS’ wider alumni network of crossover and home-grown sector leaders.
Cohort-based journey
A consistent peer group designed to foster trust, mutual accountability, and long-term professional relationships.
Case-based learning
Analysis of real-world, sector-relevant cases to explore and apply theories and frameworks.
Peer learning and collaboration
Foster dialogue and collective problem-solving through group discussions and structured workshops.
Action learning projects
Design and implement real-world projects to apply and evaluate learning.
Mentorship
Embedded mentoring support to deepen leadership growth.
Your peers are part of the curriculum
The room matters as much as the content.
Who you learn alongside becomes part of how you lead.
20
Cohort size
Cohort 1
Founding batch
Delhi NCR
Residential location
Who you’ll learn alongside
Founders, CEOs & EDs · Senior N-1 leaders · Emerging leaders in succession pipelines · Corporate professionals transitioning to social enterprises
Founding cohort advantage
As Cohort 1, you directly shape the Program. Unparalleled access to the faculty and ILSS team. Pilot pricing.
Voices from the field
From ‘Leadership and Management in the Social Sector – An ILSS Report’: the challenges ANLM is built to address
“Balancing conflicting expectations, alongside compliance and people management, is part of running any mature organization”
Chetan KapoorTech Mahindra Foundation
Leadership should involve reimagining social structures and understanding societal change…not just managing people or projects.
Prof. Suraj JacobCentre for Development Studies
Many leaders in the social sector face adaptive challenges. In the lab, you share your challenge, and your peers ask clarifying questions. It’s simple but incredibly effective.
PR GanapathyFormer Regional Director – South Asia of Stanford Seed
Clear, transparent communication and emotional intelligence are crucial for leaders to effectively understand and guide their teams
Shivendra PandeyaUNICEF
Apply by 30th July. Seats are filled on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better.
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Teaching team
Learn from those who’ve done it, not just studied it.
Faculty Name`
Professor of Practice · Institution
One-line practitioner hook — e.g. Advised 40+ nonprofit boards across 3 continents
Faculty Name`
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook — specific achievement signalling real-world authority
Faculty Name`
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook
Faculty Name
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook
Faculty Name`
Professor of Practice · Institution
One-line practitioner hook — e.g. Advised 40+ nonprofit boards across 3 continents
Faculty Name`
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook — specific achievement signalling real-world authority
Faculty Name`
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook
Faculty Name
Role · Organisation
One-line practitioner hook
+ 4 more faculty
View all
Where you’ll learn
“Some of the most important conversations of this Program won’t happen in the classroom — they’ll happen over dinner, in the corridors, and in quiet moments between sessions.”
Five days on campus gives you exactly that. A shared space where your cohort becomes your community, and learning doesn’t stop when the day does. Here the only thing on your agenda is growth.
Facilities
-
Private accommodation (shared rooms) -
All meals included -
Academic resources & reading spaces -
Network lounges for informal exchange -
Campus environment
Enrolment
Everything you need to make the decision.
Admissions process
Limited scholarships available · Fee inclusive of accommodation and all meals during residential weeks · Travel costs borne by participants
Start your application
Corporate Sponsorship, here’s how?
Common questions
Questions from social sector leaders like you.
Is this the right Program for my seniority level and sector?
ANLM is built for second-line (N-1) emerging leaders, founders and CEOs of small to mid-sized nonprofits, emerging leaders identified for succession, and senior corporate professionals transitioning into the social sector: all with a minimum of 8 years of experience. The program is sector-agnostic within social impact; whether you work in education, health, livelihoods, environment, or advocacy, the leadership challenges addressed here are ones you’ll recognise. Cohorts are intentionally diverse across geographies, themes, and organisational sizes. If you’re caught between operational firefighting and strategic leadership, this program is built for you.
What is the time commitment – before, during, and after?
ANLM is an 11-week hybrid programme, a 3-day residential in Delhi NCR to open, 10 weeks of virtual learning, and a closing 2-day residential. Virtual weeks involve live sessions, preparatory work, peer group discussions, and action learning projects applied to your own organisation. This isn’t a light commitment, but it’s structured to fit the realities of working nonprofit leaders and the residential format ensures you’re fully present when it counts most.
Can my organisation sponsor this? How does reimbursement work?
Many participants join with organisational support, and we encourage that conversation. The program fee is ₹1.5 lakh + GST, inclusive of meals and accommodation during the residential weeks. Organisations that invest in second-line leaders consistently see stronger succession pipelines, reduced founder burnout, and more distributed leadership so the case for sponsorship is real. For payment structures, invoicing, or sponsorship arrangements, please reach out to our team directly at ……………………
What happens if I miss a session or have a scheduling conflict?
ANLM is a cohort-based program, and consistent participation is what makes the peer learning and trust-building possible. We understand that nonprofit leaders operate in unpredictable environments. Hence, if a conflict arises, inform the program team as early as possible. Virtual weeks carry some flexibility, but the residential weeks are irreplaceable. Attendance and participation policies will be shared as part of the application process, and for specific concerns, our team is happy to work through it with you.
How is this different from an MBA or other executive degrees?
An MBA is built for the for-profit world. ANLM is built specifically for the realities of the Indian nonprofit sector where donor power dynamics, mission alignment under funding pressure, purpose-driven teams, and stringent compliance requirements demand a different kind of leadership. Case studies are from Indian nonprofits, faculty are practitioners who have led social sector organisations, and the peer cohort shares your context. It’s also 11 weeks, not two years. It’s practical, immediately applicable, and designed to create impact in your organisation from day one.
What outcomes or ROI can I realistically expect?
At the individual level, expect stronger strategic clarity, management capability across finance, fundraising, governance, MEL, and digital, and a more grounded, resilient leadership practice. At the organisational level, your SPO can expect stronger distributed leadership, more robust internal systems, and tangible improvements in governance and succession readiness. And beyond the program, you join the ILSS alumni network, a lasting community of peers across India’s social sector. The honest ROI here is measured in the quality of organisation you build and the communities that benefit from stronger social sector leadership.
ANLM is built for second-line (N-1) emerging leaders, founders and CEOs of small to mid-sized nonprofits, emerging leaders identified for succession, and senior corporate professionals transitioning into the social sector: all with a minimum of 8 years of experience. The program is sector-agnostic within social impact; whether you work in education, health, livelihoods, environment, or advocacy, the leadership challenges addressed here are ones you’ll recognise. Cohorts are intentionally diverse across geographies, themes, and organisational sizes. If you’re caught between operational firefighting and strategic leadership, this program is built for you.ANLM is an 11-week hybrid programme, a 3-day residential in Delhi NCR to open, 10 weeks of virtual learning, and a closing 2-day residential. Virtual weeks involve live sessions, preparatory work, peer group discussions, and action learning projects applied to your own organisation. This isn’t a light commitment, but it’s structured to fit the realities of working nonprofit leaders and the residential format ensures you’re fully present when it counts most.
Many participants join with organisational support, and we encourage that conversation. The program fee is ₹1.5 lakh + GST, inclusive of meals and accommodation during the residential weeks. Organisations that invest in second-line leaders consistently see stronger succession pipelines, reduced founder burnout, and more distributed leadership so the case for sponsorship is real. For payment structures, invoicing, or sponsorship arrangements, please reach out to our team directly at ……………………
ANLM is a cohort-based program, and consistent participation is what makes the peer learning and trust-building possible. We understand that nonprofit leaders operate in unpredictable environments. Hence, if a conflict arises, inform the program team as early as possible. Virtual weeks carry some flexibility, but the residential weeks are irreplaceable. Attendance and participation policies will be shared as part of the application process, and for specific concerns, our team is happy to work through it with you.
An MBA is built for the for-profit world. ANLM is built specifically for the realities of the Indian nonprofit sector where donor power dynamics, mission alignment under funding pressure, purpose-driven teams, and stringent compliance requirements demand a different kind of leadership. Case studies are from Indian nonprofits, faculty are practitioners who have led social sector organisations, and the peer cohort shares your context. It’s also 11 weeks, not two years. It’s practical, immediately applicable, and designed to create impact in your organisation from day one.
At the individual level, expect stronger strategic clarity, management capability across finance, fundraising, governance, MEL, and digital, and a more grounded, resilient leadership practice. At the organisational level, your SPO can expect stronger distributed leadership, more robust internal systems, and tangible improvements in governance and succession readiness. And beyond the program, you join the ILSS alumni network, a lasting community of peers across India’s social sector. The honest ROI here is measured in the quality of organisation you build and the communities that benefit from stronger social sector leadership.
Cohort 1 begins 20 August 2026. Applications close 30 July.
You’ve done the research. This is the decision point.
Start Your Application
Download Program Brochure
-
20 seats — rolling basis, apply early -
Founding cohort — pilot pricing, direct faculty access -
Limited scholarships available
- Payel Mohanto:
-
info@payelmahanto@gmail.com
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+91 9073387180 ·
- Jeanie Basumatary
-
info@payelmahanto@gmail.com
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+91 7433052203
A Program by the Harish & Bina Shah Centre for Talent & Leadership at ILSS