24 Month Executive Journey
A transformational executive experience designed for lasting growth.
Zealyst’s flagship two-year executive development experience for senior leaders committed to becoming the leaders the future will require.
The leaders who shape the future never stop becoming. They seek challenge before it’s required, embrace growth before it’s expected, and prepare for what comes next long before it arrives.
FORGE was created for accomplished leaders who believe their greatest leadership is still ahead of them. Through intentional challenge, trusted coaching, meaningful peer connection, and real-world application, participants embrace deliberate transformation and emerge with the clarity, command, and executive presence to lead what’s next.
FORGE is designed as a two-year leadership journey where each phase builds upon the last, preparing leaders to expand their capacity, influence, and impact.
FORGE is intentionally designed to create meaningful growth over time. Through personalized coaching, peer connection, immersive experiences, and real-world application, leaders have the support, challenge, and perspective needed to expand their capacity and impact.
Leaders Leave With CEO-Ready Command
The perspective and decision-making ability of a first-chair leader.
A sharpened leadership identity with the executive influence to match.
Trusted relationships forged through shared experience.
The practices and perspective to sustain excellence at the highest level.
FORGE is designed and facilitated by experienced leadership advisors who have spent decades developing executives, guiding organizations through growth and change, and supporting leaders through critical moments of transition.
Through thoughtful facilitation, executive coaching, and real-world perspective, participants are challenged and supported as they expand their leadership capacity and impact.
Take the next step in your leadership journey and join a community of executives committed to purposeful growth, meaningful challenge, and lasting impact.
Jill Nowacki is Co-Founder and President/CEO of Zealyst, where she partners with credit unions to elevate leadership, strengthen organizations, and uncover the zeal that drives extraordinary performance. With more than two decades of experience, Jill specializes in executive search, leadership development, organizational strategy, and culture transformation. She has placed hundreds of executives nationwide and is a nationally recognized speaker and trusted advisor to credit union leaders.
Jill holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana and a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Public Relations from Carroll College. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), and Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).
Tracie G. Kenyon is Co-Founder and Executive Development Partner at Zealyst, bringing more than four decades of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and the credit union movement. Throughout her career, she has served in executive leadership roles at credit unions and state leagues, helping organizations strengthen leaders, navigate change, and build thriving cultures. Tracie is known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for developing people and organizations.
She holds a master’s degree in Professional Communication from Westminster College and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Association Executive (CAE), Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), and University of Wisconsin Certified Professional Coach (UW CPC).
George Hofheimer is Founder of Hofheimer Strategy Advisors, where he partners with credit unions to shape strategy, strengthen governance, develop leaders, and build future-ready organizations. With more than two decades of experience serving the credit union movement, George is a trusted advisor, executive coach, and thought leader dedicated to helping organizations create meaningful impact for the members and communities they serve.
George holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a certified executive coach through Brown University and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He previously led research and development at the Filene Research Institute and served as Chief Learning Officer at the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES).
