The article discusses the Advanced Leadership Development Program (ALDP) initiated by the MNDOC. The program was developed in preparation for the anticipated retirement of employees in the age category of baby boomers. Stated reasons for this program development include the need to better prepare future leaders for the challenges to be faced; the need to invest in internal human resources to take advantage of a high retention rate; and to ameliorate the existing patchwork of leadership development programs. The program is a 200 hour course, and has 6 segments: workshops; individual assessment; mentoring; reading assignments; team projects; and a final presentation. The planning committee for this project decided upon a transparent model where individuals would be selected to participate in the program based on established, well-publicized criteria. The article provides a synopsis of each program segment, the key points for success, lessons learned to date, and benefits of the ALDP. Additionally, an outline is provided to summarize the steps involved in conducting a successful leadership program. It is noted that participants who complete the program often volunteer to be members of future selection and planning committees, and that positive relationships have developed between ALDP participants and senior leaders involved. 1 figure