Program Objectives
 

• Cohort Members will develop global relationships with like-minded peers from around the world.

• Cohort Members will work one-on-one with three separate senior Fortitude Executives and are encouraged to spend time with as many as possible.

• Cohort Members will develop a world-class Professional Development Plan that establishes short- and long-term goals, evaluates resources needed to accomplish these goals, and creates a specific action plan using the SMART Framework.

• New for 2026 (Year 3): Cohort Members will have access to scholarship opportunities (up to $1,500) and participate in an individualized coaching session with both an AEC talent coach and a senior AEC executive / former COO.
   

Weekly Program Schedule
 

Week 1 – Week of February 2, 2026
Introductions / Meet & Greet / Program Overview
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Meet and greet with global cohort team and Fortitude Advisors. Program overview and alignment expectations.

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Week 2 – Week of February 9, 2026
Career Journeys within the Built Environment
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Three (3) senior career professionals share their unique journeys through design, engineering, construction, and legal professions.

 

Week 3 – Week of February 16, 2026
Developing a Personalized Professional Development Plan
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Presentation and discussion on the Fortitude Professional Development Process. Review CliftonStrengths Assessment.

 

Week 4 – Week of February 23, 2026
Individualized Meetings
No Global Zoom Call – Cohort Members meet one-on-one with their Fortitude Advisors to discuss CliftonStrengths results.

 

Week 5 – Week of March 2, 2026
Career Journeys within the Built Environment
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Three (3) senior career professionals provide an overview of their career paths.

Mid-Program Checkpoint – Likes / Dislikes / Adjustments

 

Week 6 – Week of March 9, 2026
Career Guidance: Dos and Don’ts in Professional Career Management
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Career guidance presentation by industry-leading AEC executive recruiter Tom Lamson.

 

Week 7 – Week of March 16, 2026
Individualized Meetings
No Global Zoom Call – Cohort Members meet with Advisors to develop their Fortitude Four Box and Resource Loading Plan.

 

Week 8 – Week of March 23, 2026
“Empowering the Next Generation in the Workplace”
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Presentation by Lilly and Gurveen from AtkinsRéalis.

 

Week 9 – Week of March 30, 2026
Member Presentations
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Cohort Members present their Professional Development Plans (example shared in Week 8).

 

Week 10 – Week of April 6, 2026
Member Presentations Continued / Program Review / Next Steps
Global Cohort Zoom Call – Cohort Members finalize presentations of their Professional Development Plans.

 

Weeks 11 & 12 (Optional – Scheduling Permitting)
Additional time for cohort members who may seek deeper engagement, follow-up presentations, or extended coaching.

Additional Program Components (Parallel Track)

• Principles U Assessment – Conducted early in the program.

• Feedback & Coaching Session – Each Cohort Member schedules one-on-one sessions directly with an AEC Talent Coach and an AEC Executive / former COO to review assessment results and discuss career insights.