Ascend National Cohort 2026 - 2027
Curriculum Material
GENERAL INFORMATION
Foster Hub
- Foster MBA-Coach-Business Contract (This is only for visibililty. MBA Fellows students are responsible for completing and turning in the form.)
- ANC Foster Calendar
- Inaugural Headshots
VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Oct. 02, 2026
Foster Community Meeting I10 AM – 11 AM PST / 12 PM – 1 PM CST / 1 PM – 2 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/91556870673
Oct. 09, 2026
Federal Market Mastery – The Strategy Wheel for Revenue & Readiness w/ Neil McDonnell9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3 PM EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89940009759?pwd=n7ZQ3aLOoEPTlCbrIgFGk10IP5M7tv.1
Brief Description
This interactive strategy session uses the Strategy Wheel framework to help business owners clarify their 2026–2027 revenue goals, sharpen what they are selling, and assess their organizational readiness for growth. Participants will work from the center of the wheel—revenue targets—outward to identify prime and subcontracting opportunities across the federal sector, private sector, and with other Cohort businesses, and the specific agencies/offices/companies where buying decisions are made.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define a clear 2026–2027 revenue goal and articulate what they are selling across prime and subcontracting opportunities.
- Identify federal agencies, buying offices and private companies by drilling down from agency level to specific departments and decision-makers.
- Assess organizational readiness and leverage AI to strengthen market preparation, including evaluating the infrastructure, capabilities, and resources needed to pursue targeted opportunities and prepare effectively for agency and corporate meetings.
Pre-Work (Required)
- Attend with your Business Development lead (or the person responsible for pursuing and managing opportunities).
- Complete the What Do You Really Sell Worksheet
- Participants should come prepared to actively work through their Strategy Wheel during the session and make real-time strategic decisions.
Oct. 23, 2026
Cash Flow as a Decision-Making Tool w/ JPMorgan Chase9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/97412998731 Cash Flow as a Decision-Making Tool (October 23rd): This session helps small business owners strengthen day-to-day financial management by better understanding and planning for cash flow. Through peer learning and practical exercises, participants explore strategies to manage expenses, improve revenue collection, and build greater financial resilience.
Nov. 06, 2026
Scaling Your Business w/ Ben Hallen9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Nov. 13, 2026
Foster Community II10 AM – 11 AM PST / 12 PM – 1 PM CST / 1 PM – 2 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/99972306561
Nov. 20, 2026
Financial Systems Transformation w/ RSM9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/97580680019
Dec. 04, 2026
Preparing for and Choosing Capital w/ JPMorgan Chase9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/96804754809
Preparing for and Choosing Capital (December 4th): This session helps entrepreneurs assess when and why their business may need external capital and how to identify financing options that align with their goals. Participants learn how lenders and investors evaluate businesses, review key financial information, and compare different sources of funding to support sustainable growth.
Jan. 8, 2027
B2B Marketing I w/ Vivianne Long9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/91070731454
Jan. 15, 2027
Foster Community III10 AM – 11 AM PST / 12 PM – 1 PM CST / 1 PM – 2 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/99513568869
Jan. 22, 2027
Operations w/ Masha Shunko9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/92789238203
Feb. 05, 2027
Leadership w/ Andy Hafenbrack9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/98610493128
Feb. 19, 2027
AI for Scaling w/ Léonard Boussioux9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/91380166114
Feb. 26, 2027
Foster Community IV10 AM – 11 AM PST / 12 PM – 1 PM CST / 1 PM – 2 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/99098122821
Mar. 05, 2027
B2B Marketing II w/ Vivianne Long9 AM – 12 PM PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / 12 PM – 3 PM EST
Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/93459134084
Foster Inaugural Pre Readings and Assignments
Opening: Day 1 Assignment
Please read in preparation for 9/21/26 with Prof. Christy JohnsonPositive Intelligence Saboteur Assessment
Please complete the Positive Intelligence Saboteur Assessment before the workshop. It is a short self-assessment designed to help you identify recurring patterns that can influence how you think, make decisions, react under pressure, and work with others. https://positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/Opening: Day 2 Reading and Assignment
Please read in preparation for 9/22/25 Session with Prof. Ben Hallen- Read: INPAX Shipping Solutions: Part I
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To learn about the Business Model Canvas, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/QoAOzMTLP5s?si=L7PdoYCoNvPuJd2C
- Fill out your Business Model Canvas (word doc version) or Business Model Canvas (PDF version with more instructions) bring with you this session.
Opening: Day 3 Assignment
Please read in preparation for 9/23/26 Session with Prof. Crystal FarhComplete this packet and bring it with you to class.
Challenge Statement
Sep 21 - 24, 2026Please download the Challenge Statement Template, fill it out and email it to mgfp@uw.edu.
Foster Inaugural Sep 21 - 24, 2026
Day 1- MON 9/21
Pitching & Problem StatementDay 2- TUE 9/22
Prof. Ben Hallen- Strategic Foundations of Driving GrowthDay 3- WED 9/23
Prof. Crystal Farh- Leadership Strategies for Scaling
Foster Graduation Mar 9 -11, 2027
In Person at UW Foster school of Business in Seattle, WA