2027 Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training
Lead with Heart. Deliver with Purpose. Multiply the Impact.
An 8‑month, research‑backed Teacher Training Accreditation Program. Opening Retreat in May 2027, followed by online sessions and a Practicum, led by an expert Faculty Team.
Leadership built on control and burnout is breaking down, right when organizations need something more sustainable. Compassion is the antidote: driving innovation, engagement, and human flourishing, even as AI reshapes how work gets done.
This is your chance to teach it.
Join a growing global community of Accredited Compassionate Leadership Teachers bringing meaningful change to their organizations and communities.
The world is urgently looking for a different way to lead, and compassionate leadership is it. This training prepares you to embody it and teach it, grounded in evidence-based tools and principles that stand up in the boardroom.
You'll learn to turn compassion and wisdom into a practical leadership discipline: one that strengthens psychological safety, deepens connection and belonging, and builds cultures where people thrive.
If you are being called to lead with heart and humanity, now is the time to become an Accredited Compassionate Leadership Teacher.
These Times Demand Courageous, Compassionate Leaders. Become the Teacher Who Trains Them.
A proven curriculum, taught by experts in the field.
What you’ll learn to teach
Deliver the full curriculum of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training, a research‑based, modular program proven to grow compassion for self, others, work, and the wider world.
Build psychological safety and belonging as drivers of innovation and engagement. Teach compassionate communication and create environments where people do their best work.
Make the case—even to skeptics. Use boardroom‑ready language, independent research, and practical metrics to show how compassion improves retention, productivity, and results.
Ground your teaching in empirical research from neuroscience, organizational behavior, and psychology—so you teach with authority.
Equip participants with tools for immediate impact. Translate safety, connection, and belonging into small everyday structural moves within roles, routines, networks, and culture, that teams can apply immediately.
Who you’ll become
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Shape the system with a field-tested framework for the roles, routines, culture, and networks that bring organizational compassion to life.
Be part of a global community of engaged compassionate leaders committed to bringing this change into organizations and the world.
Lead and teach from an authentic, grounded place. Root your life in contemplative practice and self‑compassion so you set firm boundaries and model a sustainable pace.
The Impact, Backed by Research
Proven results.
The Center for Compassionate Leadership commissioned an 18‑month independent study of the curriculum, conducted by evaluators at Claremont Graduate University, which found statistically significant increases in:
Self‑compassion
Compassion for others
Compassion at work
Resilience
The study also identified what accelerates compassion inside organizations, and what stalls it. You'll apply those findings directly in the organizations you lead and teach in.
What this means in practice
Innovation: Psychological safety unlocks candor, faster experiments, and fewer costly reworks.
Engagement: Safety, connection, and belonging get people speaking up, collaborating across teams, and leaning into change.
Flourishing: Leaders grounded in self-compassion model a sustainable pace and clearer thinking, and burn out less.
“Being part of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training has been life changing. I found a community of people who wished to grow and change the world for the better. It’s an evidence‑based way to shift organizational culture through connection, and it has helped me connect more deeply with my organization, our partners, and the broader community.” — Anita Sharma McLevich
Your Path to Accreditation: An 8‑month Immersive Journey
Join a cohort of aspiring Compassionate Leadership Teachers for 8 months of real depth and growth: rigorous training, practice, and an inspiring community built to sustain you well past graduation. You'll learn alongside Faculty and peers who embody the work as they teach it, and leave carrying compassionate leadership into every organization you serve.
2024 Teacher Training opening retreat at Four Acres Centre for Leadership in London.
Is Our Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training Right For You?
You yearn to have more impact as a champion of compassion that sparks lasting and meaningful change. You are deeply moved to bring solutions in response to widespread suffering and to remove the systemic causes of the suffering all around us. You know in your heart that compassion is the means to lead humanity forward from a world of competition and conflict to one of understanding, cooperation, equity, and justice.
This Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training is for organizational learning and development and human resources professionals, leadership consultants and coaches, academics, as well as leaders who want to create thriving organizations characterized by safety, connection, and belonging. You will be empowered with research-backed principles, tools, skills, expert resources, and community to confidently foster transformation in whatever organizational context you choose to support.
Would a conversation with Laura Berland or Evan Harrel, co-founders of the Center for Compassionate Leadership and lead faculty of the Teacher Training, be helpful in deciding whether this training is right for you? Click here to schedule a call.
Watch the video above to discover what Accredited Compassionate Leadership Teacher Gabriela Jones loves about our Compassionate Leadership Certification Training…
Proven Results Backed by Research
You will learn to share the specific curriculum of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training that 90% of alumni said that they would recommend to their friends and colleagues. Over 70% of alumni interviewed said that they had seen changes in their organization as a result of this compassionate leadership training.
The Center for Compassionate Leadership completed an 18-month longitudinal study of the curriculum by world-class educational evaluators at Claremont Graduate University. They found that participants showed statistically significant increases in:
Self-compassion
Compassion for others
Compassion at work
Resilience
In addition, research insights uncovered both facilitators of and barriers to organizational compassion. How and where can leaders create impact and lasting change? What are the principles, practices and tools that support shifts in organizational culture and leadership? As part of the Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training cohort, you’ll learn how to successfully apply these important new insights and data to transform organizational and leadership settings.
"Being a part of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program has been life changing in that I found a space of like people who wished to grow and change the world for the better. Compassionate Leadership and the curriculum of the Center for Compassionate Leadership is an evidenced based way to shift organizational culture through connection and has helped me connect more deeply with the members of my organization, our partner organizations and the broader community. A must for all leaders!"
Program Description
The Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training is 8 months in duration, consisting of two phases: Learning & Practice, and Teaching Practicum.
Learning & Practice Phase (5 months)
The 3-day, in-person Opening Retreat
5 months of live online training sessions, including
11 full cohort sessions to explore concepts and practices through experiential exercises, lecture, group discussion, and small breakouts
7 teaching pod small group sessions to practice teaching and to give and receive feedback
Membership in a close-knit, supportive community of peers on this journey to bring more compassion into leadership
Readings and videos to build your familiarity with evidence-based concepts and research
Special live guest faculty bonus sessions, including Q&A
Fieldwork assignments with tools to practice compassionate leadership principles in your personal and professional life
Daily contemplative practices to deepen your embodiment of awareness and compassionate leadership
Teaching Practicum Phase (3 months)
Teach a full Compassionate Leadership 12-hour training practicum with an audience of your choice
Coaching and supervision from teacher training faculty and mentors to strengthen and sharpen your teaching skills
Certification conferred upon successful completion of the Practicum Phase
Extensive Resources and Support
Access to validated curriculum and presentation materials
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Monthly teacher meetings after the Learning and Practice Phase
Marketing materials and email templates
Pre- and post-program survey instrument
Library of practices, including audio recordings and transcripts
Research bibliographies
Video library of prior public cohorts taught by Lead Faculty
“Enrolling in and participating in this Certification program has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions of my life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and be surrounded by such kind and inspiring faculty and peers. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of compassionate leadership but has also touched my heart in ways I never expected. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this journey, and I truly appreciate all the support, wisdom, and kindness shared along the way. Thank you for making this experience so enriching and transformative.”
Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training Faculty
To learn more about faculty for this training, please click on the photos below.
Compassionate Leadership Certified Teachers Network
Upon certification, you’ll officially join the Compassionate Leadership Certified Teacher Network for ongoing support and promotion
Name, bio, and contact information listed on CFCL website
Monthly Teacher’s Council meetings for teaching support, continued mentorship, and peer inspiration
Private Accredited Compassionate Leadership Certified Teacher’s online community
Use of Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program slides and resources for teaching your courses
Use of Center for Compassionate Leadership pre- and post-program surveys to report effectiveness to clients
Certificates of Completion granted through the Center for Compassionate Leadership for participants in your training programs
Ongoing support from CFCL faculty and mentors for questions on programs and teaching
Opportunity for collaborative research within your organization or sector
Opportunity for featuring case studies where you have spearheaded change
Your program participants become eligible to join the Center for Compassionate Leadership Alumni network (monthly live online gatherings, private LinkedIn group)
Admission Requirements
Required:
Experience leading, teaching, or facilitating groups
Deep commitment to building a world of safety, connection, and belonging through compassionate leadership
Prior completion of a public Compassionate Leadership Certification Training or organizational training program
Regular personal contemplative practice
Lived experience working in an organizational setting as a leader or contributor
Valued Experience (not required):
Previous training in compassion practices from courses or retreats (e.g. CCT, MSC, CBCT, meditation training and retreats)
Certification as a teacher/facilitator in other leadership and/or awareness-based programs (e.g. SIY, MBSR, CCT, MSC, CBCT)
Coaching certification (e.g. ICF, EMCC)
Lead Faculty Monica Worline discussing the tools of Social Architecture with Accredited Teacher Irene Chan to support healthcare in Singapore.
Certification Requirements
Attendance at all Learning & Practice Phase sessions. Participants may miss up to three live modules and still meet the attendance requirement by completing make-up work.
Demonstration of readiness in all areas of the Compassionate Leadership Teacher Competency Model:
Conceptual Clarity
Helping Participants Apply Learning
Leading Exercises and Meditations
Creating a Container of Connection
Embodying Connection and Compassion
Completion of Practicum Phase, including teaching a full 12-hour course and attendance at mentoring sessions.
“After studying compassion fatigue and burnout in the field of education for several years, I felt compelled to look for solutions to this complex problem. I found the Compassionate Leadership training course, and as I learned more from Evan and Laura, quickly realized that schools need compassionate leaders. I joined their inaugural teacher training cohort to address suffering in education. I can't overemphasize how important compassionate leadership is to creating safe and caring schools for children, youth, and the adults who work with them.”
Tuition Investment
Tuition for the 2027 program will be determined shortly.
Tuition covers the entire 8-month Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training program, beginning with the 3-day in-person Opening Retreat, 5-month Learning & Practice Phase with your practice teaching pod, and the 3-month Practicum Phase with guidance, supervision and coaching. Tuition also includes access to all curriculum materials, presentations, practices, marketing materials and email templates, research, and bibliographies.
Retreat Fees
Program participants will be responsible for the room and board charges for the 3-day Opening Retreat.
Participants are also responsible for their personal travel arrangements.
Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualified applicants to bring compassionate leadership where it is so needed in the world. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Application here. If you require additional information please contact cfclteachertraining@gmail.com.
Still Have Questions?
If you’d like more information or have additional questions, please contact cfclteachertraining@gmail.com.
We welcome you to schedule a conversation with Laura Berland or Evan Harrel, co-founders of the Center for Compassionate Leadership, to discuss your interest in the program and whether it’s a good fit for you. Click here to schedule.
“This was my first experience with a comprehensive teacher training program, and I found it to be very thorough. The initial face-to-face retreat provided an excellent opportunity to meet the global cohort and truly embody the principles of compassionate leadership. After the three days, I felt fully committed and invigorated to engage with the program.
Over the next 18 weeks, the alternating schedule—recapping each module one week, followed by practising in teaching pods the next—offered a gradual and effective way to deeply understand the content and make it your own. Practising teaching within the pods was invaluable for building confidence.
The final stage involved delivering an eight-module course with a partner. This phase allowed me to step out independently while reinforcing the learnings from the earlier stages. It provided a safe and supportive environment to grow and refine my skills.
Across these three stages, spanning nine months, I gained a deeper understanding of the program’s structure and content while managing it alongside my day job and other commitments. What I appreciate most about the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training is how it integrates familiar concepts—such as psychological safety and advanced listening skills—into a cohesive and actionable framework.
The program’s “golden thread” is its focus on authenticity. It’s not just about understanding or checking boxes; it’s about genuinely believing, living, and practising these principles daily—even for those teaching them.
I am excited to share this content with current and future leaders, fostering greater compassion in workplaces. By embedding this approach, I hope to contribute to reducing physical and mental health challenges in the workforce of the future.”
