Cohorts for AEC Leaders

 Discover how The Flamingo Project helps AEC leaders grow together.

The Flamingo Project’s AEC Leadership Cohorts bring firm leaders together through live, virtual programs that blend strategy, accountability, and community. Learn, lead, and grow, all from your own workspace, with expert guidance and peer connection built in.

our approach

Strategic. Human. Remote by Design.

At The Flamingo Project, we believe growth happens best when learning meets real leadership challenges. Our live, virtual AEC Leadership Cohorts combine research-backed strategy with peer connection—helping you plan smarter, lead stronger, and grow with clarity and confidence.

Explore our current and upcoming cohorts below.

LeadForward: Spring 2026 Cohort (Currently Enrolling)

A 6-month virtual peer program for AEC professionals stepping into new or evolving leadership roles.

Join a small, focused group of peers to strengthen your strategic skills, build confidence, and lead with clarity.

Now enrolling for Spring 2026.

Business Planning Simplified Accelerator

An 8-week guided course to build your 2027 business plan—simple, strategic, and actionable.

Walk away with a complete, vision-aligned plan ready for execution, plus the confidence to lead it forward.

Applications open July 2026.

LeadForward: Fall Planning Cohort

A 3-month program for senior AEC marketing and BD leaders planning for the year ahead.
Refine your 2027 strategy with tools, peer insights, and accountability to make the planning season easier and stronger.

Enrollment opens July 2026.

LEADFORWARD STRATEGIC GROWTH LEADERSHIP COHORT

Who it’s for and what you’ll gain

Leaders navigating newly created or evolving roles who want to grow with clarity, confidence, and accountability.

  • A trusted peer network of other growth-minded AEC professionals
  • Monthly facilitated sessions with Sarah Kinard and Marion Thatch, FSMPS, CPCC
  • Tools and frameworks to define growth, build alignment, and lead with purpose
  • A research-backed approach to strategic leadership development
Turquoise box with the words LeadForward 2026 and the Flamingo Project logo

APPLY TO LEADFORWARD 2026!

Registration is now open for the Cohort beginning in January 2026. 

OPEN FOR REGISTRATION IN JULY 2026

Business Planning Accelerator

An 8-week remote accelerator that helps AEC firm leaders create a focused, actionable, and vision-aligned business plan for 2027.

Who joins and what you’ll gain

COOs, CMOs, BD Directors, and Firm Leaders ready to turn ideas into an executable business plan.

  • Define your 2027 vision and measurable goals
  • Identify opportunities using Flamingo’s Growth Matrix

  • Build integrated BD and marketing campaigns

  • Align your team and resources around your plan

“These cohorts are where leadership clarity meets community support—and where your next season of growth begins.”

Program Snapshot
  • Duration: 8 weeks (live virtual sessions)
  • Registration opens: July for September sessions

  • Weekly 60–90-minute sessions

  • Worksheets, templates, and optional 1:1 coaching

LeadForward Fall Planning Cohort

A 3-month virtual cohort for senior AEC marketing and BD leaders planning for the year ahead.

Every fall, AEC marketing and BD teams face the same challenge: building plans that connect market insight, firm goals, and internal momentum. This small-group program helps you plan smarter, faster, and with the confidence that comes from peer support.

Who it’s for and what you’ll gain

Marketing Directors, CMOs, and BD leaders juggling market assessments, proposal planning, and internal communication strategies.

  • Sharpen your market view with guided forecasting tools
  • Strengthen BD and marketing plans for the next year

  • Align internal teams around shared goals and messaging

  • Gain peer insights from other senior AEC marketing leaders

    “LeadForward 2026 Fall Planning Cohort graphic by The Flamingo Project featuring bold teal and orange text on a purple background with flowing pink, orange, and aqua design elements.”
    Program Snapshot
    • Duration: 3 months (live virtual sessions)
    • Limited to 12 participants

    • Registration opens: July for September sessions

    DON'T MISS YOUR SPOT

    Our AEC leadership cohorts fill quickly—and we’d love to help you find the one that fits you best.

    We’ll only reach out when new cohorts open—no fluff, just the good stuff.

    RESOURCES

    Professional Services Marketing Podcast: Good Research

    Professional Services Marketing Podcast: Good Research

    Good research begins with a good framework. Listen in, as Sarah chats with Frank Lippert and Kate Robinette of GoStrategies about how to build those plans on good research. They talk about defining the use of the data before you start, reframing the questions to get out of the rabbit holes and back on track, and provide you with resources to get started.

    Navigating Market Shifts in the A/E/C Industry: A 2024 Strategy Guide

    Navigating Market Shifts in the A/E/C Industry: A 2024 Strategy Guide

    In the ever-evolving landscape of the A/E/C world, market shifts can be both challenging and full of opportunities. As we approach 2024, the industry is experiencing significant changes due to capital market constraints, the cost of money, and the changing expectations of end users. To stay ahead of the curve and thrive in this new environment, it’s crucial to reevaluate your business development (BD) and marketing strategies.

    Demystifying Market Research Podcast

    Demystifying Market Research Podcast

    Listen in as I chat with Keelin Cox of the AEC Marketeer podcast about what exactly market research is, and why your firms should invest in research! Head to bit.ly/marketresearchpodcast to listen to the entire episode

    Demystifying Annual AEC Business Planning

    Demystifying Annual AEC Business Planning

    Are you feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of annual AEC business planning? Well, fret no more! In this episode, I sat down with Lindsay Diven, of Marketers Take Flight. We demystify the entire process for you. We discuss different types of plans, including strategic and marketing plans, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate your way to success with confidence. Head to bit.ly/aecbusinessplans to listen to the full episode!

    Business Plan in 45 Days

    Business Plan in 45 Days

    Want to know the secret to a successful business plan? Keep reading to find out how to STOP over-engineering plans and START winning work!

    What is Market Research: Market Research for AEC

    What is Market Research: Market Research for AEC

    You are an expert in your field and that expertise has built your success. But what happens when you want to expand? Or if your growth plateaus? What if market changes force a pivot? How do you know what to do then? Market research for architects, engineers, and...

    What is Strategic Planning: Strategic Planning Approaches 101

    What is Strategic Planning: Strategic Planning Approaches 101

    Strategic planning is an extraordinarily complex and integrated topic that requires analysis and consideration of individual and organizational psychology, psychographic, and social-technographic information in addition to KPIs and market data. It is a phenomenal...