Leadership, accelerated

A new program in Naples promises to put its high quotient of retired business titans to good use.

It's the International Collaborative Leadership Institute, which launched earlier this month and operates out of Collier County's Naples Accelerator. The institute, according to a statement, will pair consultants, college professors and retired Naples executives with high school students and young, up-and-coming business executives. The program is focused on a series of trust-based training exercises over several days — two days for its executive program and five for pre-college students 16 and older.

“Naples has the highest concentration of retired senior executives in the country and many have the experience and wisdom to have a vital impact on future leaders,” institute CEO Robert Porter Lynch says in the statement. “I founded the institute to make a positive difference in the world by educating tomorrow's leaders in a fresh, new, innovative approach to leadership.”

Lynch has partnered with area entrepreneur and leadership development trainer Christine Adamow to run and grow the institute. Adamow says the model is to generate capital through the executive leadership programs, while, in the early going at least, raise funds to operate the student side of the institute. The organization currently seeks $50,000 for one specific youth program. “Our goal is 600 students a year,” says Adamow, “but until we get an endowment raised that can support 600 students a year, we need startup capital.”