Make Your Big Goals Happen

Lead By Taking People With You

Welcome to the world’s first institute for strategic communication leadership.

The Novak Leadership Institute offers a fresh approach to leadership education rooted in the principles of strategic communication and advertising. We help you effectively lead yourself and others through a mix of research, strategy, creativity, and collaboration. We call it leading by taking people with you.

Innovative courses, industry-tested ideas

Hands-on learning, real-world experiences

Collaborative classrooms, personalized coaching

World-class faculty, global connections

Housed at the world’s first school of journalism

Rooted in principles of strategic communication

Leadership that puts people first

David Novak, co-founder and retired chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, is the inspiration for our people-first approach to leadership education. Rooted in the principles of advertising and marketing, Novak laid the groundwork for his leadership career and our institute.

About David Novak
Novak talking about his book

Get ready to chase big goals.

We challenge you to answer the question, “What is the single biggest thing you could accomplish that would change your life or the lives of others?”

Meet students who answered this question with ambitious goals, including launching a tech startup and working at the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Our Courses
Smiling students

Make Your Vision A Reality

David Novak

“Believe in the power of people. Start with a deep down belief that every person on your team wants to be part of something great. Then cast a vision for greatness and get your people involved in making that vision a reality.”

David Novak smiling and talking with students

We’re taking you with us. Learn more about Novak.

Photo of Justin F. Willett
Research shows strong link with positive employee outcomes.
Photo of David Novak recognizing a student
Master the “soft skill” that drives hard results.
Photo of Indra Nooyi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo, USA, at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum at the congress centre in Davos, January 24, 2014.
Learn how to develop and retain talent, increase diversity, and call out bias.