Welcome to the Federal Executive Institute (FEI). We develop visionary leaders to transform and improve the performance of government agencies. Our programs are developed for federal executives who are exceptional leaders, understand their constitutional role, possess a broad corporate view, and take pride in serving the American people.

Learn about development programs for:

• GS-15s and above: Leadership for a Democratic Society
• Members of the Senior Executive Service: SES Leading EDGE

How to register for FEI Courses.

Our history

We were founded in 1968 by OPM to offer learning and ongoing leadership development for senior leaders. We have served more than 30,000 senior federal leaders and deliver programs at our campus in Charlottesville, VA, and at agency sites throughout the U.S. and the world.

Through the years, our mission has been consistent: challenge executives to cultivate the skills, attitudes and behaviors critical to dynamic and transformational public sector leadership. We achieve this mission by re-grounding executives in the constitutional framework of the Federal Government and encouraging introspection through small group work. We build learning communities between participants and faculty in which everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.

There is no federal appropriation for FEI. Our operating funds come from our training fees.

Our staff

The Federal Executive Institute (FEI) is staffed by the FEI director, resident faculty members, and up to 150 adjunct faculty members around the U.S. who bring their rich and diverse backgrounds into our learning environment. Our adjunct faculty includes representatives from a wide range of U.S. colleges and universities including Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Georgetown University, and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

Our partners

The founders of FEI anticipated a close intellectual relationship with the education community, which is part of why the FEI campus was established near the University of Virginia (UVA). FEI and UVA continue to work together as partners including FEI participant and faculty use of UVA research and athletic facilities, as well as recruitment of UVA students to serve as graduate fellows and undergraduate interns.

The Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) program serves as an enduring foundation for GS-15 and SES employees' personal and professional development. The program offers an unmatched learning experience to prepare senior government leaders for today’s complex challenges.

Anchored in contemporary leadership theory, the core curriculum is aligned with OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications. 

Why LDS?

As a senior leader, you'll learn strategic leadership alongside high-performing, high-potential public servants across federal, state, local, and international governments. You'll return to your organization with increased capabilities, confidence, and commitment, ready to take on the most daunting challenges with:

• Increased self-awareness as an individual, team member, and leader.
• Enhanced leadership and management skills, especially in the areas of teambuilding, strategic thinking, influencing/negotiating, political savvy, and external awareness.
• Expanded professional networks, enabling improved inter-organizational collaboration and problem-solving.
• Broadened understanding of the U.S. Constitution as the foundation for federal public service.
• Improved ability to leverage the diverse talents of the federal workforce.
• Increased resiliency, mental and physical wellness, and work-life balance.

Registration Information

All registrations must be submitted on the LDS course registration page using the "Register" and "Limited" buttons next to the desired program date. If you or your agency training office have any questions about the process, please view our How to Register page, or contact the FEI Registrar at FEIRegistrar@opm.gov or (434) 980-6232.

Overview

SES Leading EDGE, the Federal Executive Institute’s (FEI) Senior Executive Development Portfolio, is a government-wide continuum of learning that strengthens the Senior Executive through all phases of the SES life cycle, starting with entry into the SES. SES Leading EDGE programs complement agency-level executive development and support effective executive development plans. Senior Executives refers to career SES (Title 5), SES-equivalent (e.g. Title 10, Title 38, Title 42), Senior Level (SL) and Senior Scientific or Professional (ST) members.

Government-wide programs in the portfolio seek to:

• Advance the enterprise leadership capacity of continuing networks of Senior Executives to deliver government excellence through constant and accelerating change     
• Promote cross-agency collaboration and innovation     
• Produce stronger performance across government     
• Deliver increased value to taxpayers     
• Elevate esprit de corps and ideals of Federal service

SES Orientation Briefings are offered for the benefit of all Federal agencies. Each SES Briefing orients new Senior Executives to their enterprise-wide role and environment, provides practical advice on navigating unique challenges new SES members face, and examines the career SES role as the major link between top Presidential appointees and the rest of the Federal workforce.  The overall theme for each Briefing is Being Future Ready:  Leading America’s Workforce.

SES Onboarding Forums are designed to be interactive development programs related to specific ECQ Competencies. The Forums accelerate success of new Federal Senior Executives in their first two years of executive service through offering strategies and practical tips.  Seasoned Senior Executives are also welcome to attend. 

SES Enterprise Leadership Labs support government-wide continuous development and networking among Federal Service Executives.  Each Lab is an immersive, interactive program to generate new perspectives and approaches to a 21st century strategic “hot topic” in dialogue with colleagues and subject matter experts.

For more information email SES-Leading-EDGE@opm.gov.

Federal Executive Institute

1301 Emmet St. N

Charlottesville, VA 22903

434-980-6200

Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS):

434-980-6232

FEIRegistrar@opm.gov

SES Leading EDGE Program:

434-980-6278

SES-Leading-EDGE@opm.gov