Matters India Reporter
BENGALURU, October 29, 2026: The LEAD Academy 2026 concluded its intensive formation programme on October 27 at St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, marking a milestone in shaping visionary, competent, and compassionate leaders for the Church and society.
With over 100 leaders formed through its initiatives to date, the 2026 programme adopted a rigorous two-phase residential model spanning approximately 25 days.
A ground-breaking leadership formation initiative, LEAD Academy, leaves a transformative impact on mid-level church leaders and educators across India.
It is spearheaded by Father V. M. Thomas, Harvard alumnus and Founder of LEAD Academy, in partnership with Mthe Marian Foundation, Bangalore, with programs aimed to equip leaders with tools for reflection, service, and mission-oriented leadership.
Rooted in the pedagogical traditions of Harvard University and inspired by IAS training methodologies, the initiative blended academic rigour with spiritual depth to foster resilient, purpose-driven leadership.
The first phase convened in June–July at the Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, with around 40 participants, while the second phase ran from October 17 to 27 across prominent Bengaluru institutions, including Holy Cross Saint André Home, Kristu Jayanti University, and St John’s Medical College, alongside an exposure visit to CHRIST University.
Integrated Journey of Formation
The curriculum integrated modern leadership strategies with spiritual grounding. Participants explored emotional intelligence, institutional governance, financial accountability, artificial intelligence, and the responsible management of change.
Using experiential learning tools such as Theory U, Ikigai, Blue Ocean Strategy, and 360-degree evaluations, the Academy emphasized shifting from routine administration to transformational leadership.
The Academy’s core ethos is defined by four foundational commitments: Learn and Listen, Empower and Engage, Accompany and Act, and Dedicated Discipleship.
Archbishop’s Call to Prophetic Leadership
Presiding over the graduation ceremony and concluding Eucharist, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore outlined five essential dimensions of authentic Christian leadership:
Facing Failure with Courage: Jesus Himself experienced rejection, suffering and the apparent failure of the Cross, yet through that very experience came the victory of the Resurrection.
Failure, therefore, need not be the end of the journey; it can become the beginning of transformation”, Archbishop Machado noted, urging leaders to build resilience.
Prophets of Change: Reminding participants that Church institutions are not profit-driven enterprises, he stressed that leaders must discern emerging needs and act as instruments of hope amid uncertainty.
Trust and Accountability: Highlighting that trust is the foundation of institutional effectiveness, the Archbishop stated, “Leaders must become agents of trust, integrity, transparency and accountability”.
Messengers of Hope: Describing leadership as an act of awakening possibilities in others, he remarked that mobilization is fundamentally “friend-raising—building relationships, inspiring confidence and bringing people together around a shared mission.”
Creativity through Faithfulness: Drawing inspiration from Mother Teresa, he emphasized that great transformations begin with faithfulness in small things rather than extraordinary resources alone. He also highlighted the memorable maxims: “Education is wealth, and cleanliness is health”.
To sustain this journey, the Archbishop exhorted the graduating LEADers to practice four daily habits: Look Out for the needs of others, Look Back to learn from past successes and failures, Look Around to embrace collaborative opportunities, and Look Within through at least 15 minutes of daily silence and prayer.
New Chapter for LEAD Academy
The concluding ceremony marked an important leadership transition with the appointment of Salesian Father Binny Manuel as the new Executive Director of LEAD Academy to expand its mission. Founder-Director Salesian Father Thomas expressed deep gratitude to all host institutions, collaborators, and participants.
As graduates return to their respective dioceses and religious congregations across India, they carry forward a unified pledge: to listen deeply, think creatively, act courageously, and serve compassionately.