The Future Leaders eXperience curriculum, developed in partnership with Root, is based on their interactive Compass leadership program. Completing the Future leaders eXperience – a multi-session online course over a period of four months – enables participants to earn the Food Retail Leader Certificate.

Future Leaders will attend seven live, virtual group sessions held on these dates and times:

  • Course Kick-off: Thursday, July 17, 2025
  • Session 1: Thursday, July 31, 2025
  • Session 2: Thursday, August 14, 2025
  • Session 3: Thursday, August 28, 2025
  • Session 4: Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • Session 5: Thursday, September 25, 2025
  • Session 6: Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • Course Completion Deadline: October 30, 2025
AM or PM session options for each date:
  • 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET  OR  3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET*

In addition to the live group sessions, Future Leaders will be required to complete pre-session and post-session activities including viewing videos, workbook readings and worksheets, creating discussion, submitting assignments, taking quizzes and completing evaluations.  These pre- and post-session activities can be completed from a personal or work computer at times that are convenient for the learner.

Prior to the start of the course, Future Leaders will be assigned to a team of 10-15 leaders from other companies and varying job roles. Each team will also be assigned a coach, who is a returning Future Leader with experience navigating the course and guiding their team to success. Each team will work together to complete activities as well as share their leadership journey throughout the program.

*Note: You will be asked to select whether you will attend either the AM or PM session for the duration of the eXperience (Sessions 1-6). If you are unable to attend your selected time, you must notify FMI and your coach in-advance via email of your circumstance and need to attend a different session time, or if you will miss a session day entirely.


Essentials:  

  • Access to a computer and a high-speed internet connection. 
  • Current web browser. Future Leaders eXperience will support the latest versions of Chrome (preferred), Safari, Firefox and Edge.   
  • Current version of Zoom downloaded onto your personal or work computer, and access to be able to use Zoom during each live session .
  • An external or integrated webcam, microphone and speakers or headphones.
  • Access to paper and writing utensils to take notes and complete some activities.
  • Motivation to transform as a leader!  


Nice to have:  

  • Access to an Outlook calendar to receive Future Leaders eXperience session appointments and deadline reminders



2025 Future Leaders eXperience registration rates: 

  • Retailer/Wholesaler/Product Supplier – Group of 10 or more = $799/person 
  • Retailer/Wholesaler/Product Supplier – FMI Member (individual) = $899/person 
  • Associate Member = $999/person 
  • Non-Member = $1,499/person 

Registration Deadline = June 12, 2025

For questions regarding registration, please contact register@fmi.org.




Upon the successful completion of all the required activities in the Future Leaders eXperience by the course completion deadline of 11:59 p.m. on October 20, 2025, learners will earn their Food Retail Leader Certificate and a digital badge that can be shared with their professional networks on LinkedIn or other social platforms.



To cancel or substitute a registration, please send an email to register@fmi.org. A refund of the registration fee, minus a $75 processing fee (plus a 3% surcharge for credit card payments) is available if received by June 30, 2025. No refunds will be issued after this date.



Substitutions of existing registrations are permitted prior to the Cancellation & Substitution Deadline of June 30th. Registered attendees cannot be substituted after this date. Please review the Cancellation Policy for information on cancelling a registration. To substitute one registrant with another, please contact register@fmi.org by June 30, 2025.



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Great Question. Check out this page for Alumni Resources. 


Supporting your employees is an excellent way to inspire new leaders. Check out this page for suggestions for supporting your rising stars.


Send us an email at futureleaders@fmi.org. We’re happy to help! 


If you have more questions, please contact the Future Leaders eXperience team at futureleaders@fmi.org.