Nearly 300 state executives through 10 classes have completed the Executive Leadership Program since it was started in 2006 as part of the state's Georgia Leadership Institute. Championed by the Commission for a New Georgia and supported by the governor's office, the program's initial focus was improving the leadership capacity of state agency heads and senior managers. As of January 2008, the program has been expanded to include leadership development for managers at all levels. The Vinson Institute conducts the instruction in partnership with the State Personnel Administration.

Participants in the Executive Leadership Program attend a series of highly interactive and challenging sessions, with the first examining personal leadership styles, areas of improvement, and team performance. Topics covered in subsequent classes include improving performance in public agencies, ethics and values in public service, creating and rolling out a strategic vision, and dealing with significant challenges facing state agencies.