The Institute for Leadership Advancement (ILA) is an innovative, ever-evolving certificate program that combines coursework with real-world experience to sharpen the next generation of leaders that stand out distinctly because of their unwavering commitment to make values-based, impact-driven decisions. ILA students and alumni continuously demonstrate the core values of responsibility, stewardship, excellence, integrity and purpose. To date, ILA’s leadership development programs have graduated more than 1,500 UGA students. HISTORY Earl T. Leonard, a former Coca-Cola executive, had a profound passion for mentoring young people that would bring him back to UGA’s campus to engage and mentor students. Leonard believed that the best leaders lead from a deep understanding of their personal values and believes. He took his passion for developing leaders a step further and, in 2001, established the Institute for Leadership Advancement.