Investing in Our Future Leaders: Leader Launch and Cascade Leadership Academy

At Cascade, we believe that leadership isn’t just a title — it’s a journey. That’s why we’re proud to offer two powerful, complementary programs to Cascade leaders: The Leader Launch program and the Cascade Leadership Academy (CLA). These programs reflect our commitment to nurturing talent, accelerating growth, and building a strong foundation for Cascade’s future.

These programs reflect our broader Talent Management strategy, designed to cultivate leadership at every level, strengthen internal pipelines, and support the long-term growth of our organization. 

Leader Launch: Building the Foundation for Leadership

The Leader Launch program is a new, virtual leadership development experience designed specifically for emerging leaders. Over five sessions spanning five weeks, participants engage in a highly interactive, live learning environment that lays the groundwork for future leadership success.

Ideal for high-potential early-career team members, Leader Launch helps participants build essential leadership skills, gain confidence, and prepare for greater responsibilities. The program includes one-on-one coaching to support leader’s individual growth.  

Leader Launch is more than just a class — it’s a signal of our employee’s leadership potential and a stepping stone to their next phase of development: the Cascade Leadership Academy.

Cascade Leadership Academy: A Transformational Leadership Experience

Following Leader Launch, the Cascade Leadership Academy (CLA) offers a deep-dive, 9-month immersive program for a small cohort of leaders ready to elevate their impact at Cascade.

In collaboration with ON Point Next Level Leadership, CLA goes far beyond a traditional workshop or webinar. It’s a hands-on, interactive, and personalized leadership journey that delivers real-world results.

This program features three full-day, in-person leadership intensive meetings, monthly group coaching calls, monthly one-on-one executive coaching sessions, and a Capstone project that showcases each participant’s leadership growth, culminating in a final presentation to Cascade’s executive leadership team.

This program was custom designed for Cascade, reflecting the insights and goals of our senior leaders and HR team. CLA participants will walk away with sharpened leadership skills, strategic vision, and a strong internal network — ready to lead teams and projects with confidence and clarity.

Why It Matters

These programs are more than professional development initiatives — they’re a cornerstone of our culture. At Cascade, we believe in growing leaders from within. Leader Launch and CLA provide our people with the tools, support, and space to grow — no matter where they are in their leadership journey.

As part of this holistic approach, we’ve also implemented DISC assessments for key leaders across the organization. These assessments help us better understand individual leadership styles, improve communication, and build stronger, more effective teams. This is just one of many tools we're using to align personal growth with organizational goals.

Together, these efforts are part of our commitment to building a workplace where leaders thrive — and where talent is supported every step of the way.

Stay tuned as we celebrate the journey and achievements of our participants throughout the year!

About the Author

Jessica Alexander

Director of Talent Acquisition
[email protected]

Jessica Alexander is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Cascade. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, a MBA in Human Resources, and a PhD (ABD) in Human Resource Management. Further, Jessica has served on multiple boards within volunteer organizations that assist individuals in underrepresented groups obtain employment in their local communities.

After completing ten years of military service in the United States Air Force in Logistics and Transportation, Jessica launched a distinguished career specializing in recruiting and talent development. In her role as Director of Talent Acquisition, she creates and implements strategy that drives Cascade forward as an Employer of Choice in the environmental services industry. Jessica is passionate about the development of people and their ability to drive companies forward.

If you would like to connect with Jessica about her experience with strategic sourcing, talent acquisition and development, or organizational diversity management, you can find her on LinkedIn.