TUCSON, AZ / AGILITYPR.NEWS / September 15, 2025 / Free Leadership Course helps qualified employees advance their careers

In today’s competitive job market, many professionals must choose between leadership development at conferences or online subscriptions, or embark on a time-consuming and pricey advanced degree. But Tucson Federal Credit Union (TFCU) is flipping the script—offering a comprehensive, four-year leadership development journey that grows directly from within its own workforce.

The Prospective Leaders Program (PLP) is a hands-on, multi-cycle initiative designed to elevate non-supervisory employees into confident, connected, cross-functional leaders. Open to employees in good standing with one year of tenure, PLP has served as both a career accelerator and a cultural cornerstone at TFCU since its launch in 2011.

Employees that are interested begin the process by reviewing the overview, speak with their manager, and then submit an online application and resume. Selected candidates interview with the C-suite, and if accepted, must attend a mandatory orientation. Participants commit to eight monthly workshops (April–November), collaborative projects, and ongoing personal and professional development—including community involvement, peer mentorship, and a high standard of professionalism.

Program goals are to:

• Identify a diverse pool of employees with leadership potential
• Build emotional intelligence, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Provide exposure to every major department, including Risk, Finance, Operations, and Community Engagement
• Foster a pipeline of internal talent that is values-driven and innovation-ready

The four-year, job-embedded curriculum tackles topics around Leading Self (Freshman Cycle), Leading Others (Sophomore Cycle), Leading Strategy (Junior Cycle), and Leading Organization (Senior Cycle). Each cycle builds upon the last, guiding participants through increasingly complex leadership development experiences that align with their growth and the credit union’s evolving needs.

Capstone projects culminate each year with presentations to the C-suite, and some have led directly to product and policy changes.

TFCU President & CEO Matthew Gaspari is a huge advocate of the program saying, “Every employee has the potential to grow in their career and make an impact.” I started my career at TFCU at 25 and worked my way to CEO over 33 years. There wasn’t a program in place during my trajectory and we want to help build these emerging leaders so they too can go out and affect change.” 

Outcomes & Engagement:

• Only 6 total graduates since 2019—most participants promote before completing all 4 years
• PLP alumni often go on to mentor new cohorts and serve on strategic committees
• Participants receive certificates of completion each year, with special recognition at senior graduation

TFCU’s approach demonstrates that leadership development can be homegrown, high-impact, and human-centered. It’s not just about creating leaders. It’s about building longevity, alignment, and a culture where growth is part of the job.