Ascend National Cohort 2025 - 2026
Curriculum Material
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Financials Survey, fill out and turn in at https://trendency.app.box.com/f/59d40d0e6ae546019337ffa109f9bcac. Submit ONLY 1 per Business.
- ANC Participant Profiles
- Survey (for folks that have already registered)
- Register for Trendency Platform- required to do surveys.
Morehouse Hub
- ANC Morehouse Calendar
- Entrepreneurship Leadership Consulting Program
Foster Closing March 10 -12, 2026
TUE, 3/10
WED, 3/11
Prof. Masha Shunko (Sustainability)
Power Point (will be added soon)
Prof. Elizabeth Umphress (Negotiations)
Rose James and Mike Stay (Cybersecurity)
VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Oct. 10, 2025
UW Foster- Prof. Léo BoussiouxRecording: https://vimeo.com/1126995168/df848cf034?share=copy
Prof. Leó´s teaching materials (lecture slides, podcasts, videos): www.leobix.com/genai
Resources and advice to learn more about GenAI and create a lifelong learning mindset (highly suggest checking):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hfpvr4A2NOw1NtO7YdwnM608oI0hxzVuX5xE7VWQhGs/edit?usp=sharing
For those interested in Prof. Léo´s research in AI x Creativity and Entrepreneurship, two paper readings:
- The Crowdless Future? Generative AI and Creative Problem-Solving: https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10.1287/orsc.2023.18430
- Narrative AI and the Human-AI Oversight Paradox in Evaluating Early-Stage Innovations: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4914367
Slide deck in PDF as a reminder:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gw0WjjFiSQ46sYhVh3pAgUeRhMEk-e83/view?usp=sharing
Oct. 24, 2025
Financing Middle Market Growth–JP Morgan9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3PM EST
This session explores practical strategies to help you earn more and spend less while making smarter financial decisions. You’ll learn how to analyze complex expenses—including vendor relationships—and gain insights into the four types of customers every business needs. The session also covers how to position yourself in the market and price your offerings effectively for long-term success.
Invite the person managing finances in your business. This is a two-part session. Also, have your high-level business´financial information at hand during the session, so you may perform ratios in real time.
Navigation Your Cash Flow Notebook (Will be used during the session.)
JPMC Survey-Feedback Link: https://jpmc.surveymonkey.com/r/32TKWM6
Nov. 07, 2025
Leadership & Teams – Bruce AvolioSession Description
This session focuses on how to develop one’s leadership to lead successful growth in teams and organizations. In our workshop, we will examine 5 basic components that contribute to being an effective leader in one’s team and organization. We will consider how the situation or context in which leaders and teams operate can impact the trajectory of growth and performance of leaders, teams, and organizations.
My primary goal is to have you leave this workshop with at least one specific application that can be used to enhance your leadership and how these enhancements can contribute to team and organizational performance.
Links and Materials for Class Discussion
Readings to Complete Before Our Session
- What Employees Want Most in Uncertain Times
- The Power of a Clear Narrative
- A Nobel Purpose Alone Won’t Transform Your Company
- Bridging Faultlines in Teams
Other Materials for In-Class Discussions
- Google Sheets to Organize Feedback for Breakout Sessions
- Read Team D Case & Supporting Slides Prior to Our Session
- The Leader Intent Exercise Follow-up to Our Session
Preparation Questions
Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with classmates. You do not need to write-out your answers.
- What are the core challenges facing your organization?
- What are areas of leadership you feel you need to develop?
- What are the needs of your followers that need to be addressed?
- What are your primary intentions in terms of leading others and your purpose?
Readings:
A Noble Purpose Alone Won´t Transform Your Company
Bridging Faultlines in Diverse Teams
The Power of a Clear Leadership Narrative
Nov. 21, 2025
Technology Transformation–RSMThis session aims to help Ascend business participants understand the challenges and pathways to success in moving from small to middle-market businesses. We will focus on accounting issues, risk-mitigating threats, and technology constraints.
- Each Company must complete an Assessment Form, fill out and email back to martha@ascenduwfoster.com. DUE DATE: THU, 11/20/25.
Recording- https://vimeo.com/1140912343/0a20a0f3f3?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Dec. 5, 2025
Financial Middle Market Firms– JP MorganWe will use this Workbook.
There is no recording; instead, there are notes taken during the session.
Looking for a local Bankers – https://accounts.chase.com/business/coaching
How to calculate debt service coverage ratio – https://www.chase.com/business/knowledge-center/manage/how-to-calculate-debt-service-coverage-ratio-dscr
JPMC Survey – jpmc.surveymonkey.com/r/32tkwm6
Jan. 9, 2026
B2B Marketing I (Value Prop.) – Vivienne LongJan. 23, 2026
Financial Systems Transformation–RSMIn November, RSM professionals provide an overview of key transformation considerations related to financial systems. This session follows up on that conversation and will address specific questions about financial systems during breakout sessions. RSM will also rely on the assessment tool (assignment) and apply those learnings to strengthen your capacity for a changing competitive landscape. https://washington.zoom.us/j/91686055089 9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3PM EST
Zoom Recording: https://vimeo.com/1158954077/4cd9c7bf82?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Feb. 6, 2026
Scaling Your Business–Ben HallenIn this session, we’ll discuss leading for scaling, including specific strategies and approaches leaders use to guide their company through the scaling process. We’ll further discuss hiring for scaling and how to scale your business when financial resources are scarce.
Strategies of Scaling : https://www.ascenduwfoster.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Promoshop-Case-A-1.0-09-20-22.pdf
Session Recording: https://vimeo.com/1164536903/
ac2b0f85ba?share=copy&fl=sv& fe=ci ZOOM Link:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/91344816491 9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3PM EST
Feb. 20, 2026
B2B Marketing–Vivienne LongB2B Marketing Session II Session Recording
ZOOM Link:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/99656624265 9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3PM EST
March 6, 2026
Leadership–Andy HafenbrackZOOM Link:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/98278929244 9 AM – Noon PST / 11 AM – 2 PM CST / Noon – 3PM EST
MIT Sloan Crucibles of Leadership Development
Richard Andersen at Ajax Electronics & Logistics (Part A)
Stone Patton Heen-1999, Chapter-6, The-Identity-Conversation
Neil McDonnell on B2B (Recorded 03-18-25)
Zoom Recording
Foster Opening Sep 22 - 25, 2025
Day 4- THU 9/25
Profs. Masha Shunko and Sarah McVay- Prof. Masha Shunko PowerPoint
- Prof. Shunko: A Contrast in Operation Strategies
- Prof. Shunko: The Seven Deadly Wastes
- Prof. McVay: Ratio Case
- Prof. McVay: Healthstream #s
- Prof. McVay: Health Spreadsheet
- Prof. McVay: Mesa #s
- Prof. McVay Mesa Spreadsheet
- Prof. McVay Veru #s
- Prof. McVay Veru Spreadsheet
Day 3- WED 9/24
Prof. Crystal Farh- Leadership Strategies for ScalingDay 2- TUE 9/23
Prof. Ben Hallen- Strategic Foundations of Driving GrowthDay 1- MON 9/22
Pitching & Problem Statement
Foster Opening Reading Assignments
Opening: Day 2 Readings
Please read in preparation for 9/23/25 Session with Prof. HallenReading 1: Session Description + Prep Questions
Reading 2: Background on Competitive Advantage
Reading 3: INPAX Case Study Part A
Opening: Day 3 Readings
Please read in preparation for 9/24/25 Session with Prof. FarhOpening: Day 4 Readings
Please read in preparation for 9/25/25 Session with Prof. ShunkoChallenge Statement
Sep 22-25, 2025Please download the Challenge Statement Template, fill it out and email it to Martha@ascenduwfoster.com by August 29, 2025.