Developing Utility Expertise and Leadership™ (DUEL™)–cohort 1
DUEL™ provides foundational competency for leaders that will influence organizational culture, improve performance, and contribute long-term success.
A successful leadership program will help position utility leaders for the rapid changes the utility industry is experiencing. It will also help to build well-rounded leaders who are capable of navigating, and even driving, rapid change and response.
MMUA's DUEL program has been designed to foster practical skills and cultivate the next generation of utility leadership. The lineup of courses will equip current and emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed in the ever-evolving environment of hometown utilities. With a municipal utilities focus, the program combines technical knowledge, real-world case studies, and peer collaboration, to build a cohort of leaders capable of tackling the most pressing challenges.
COHORT-BASED DEEP DIVES
All participants will take a series of in-person foundational courses that will take place in three two-day sessions. This format allows for extensive discussion of specialized content, experiential learning, and a chance to build relationships with a network of peers.
Course one
Leadership lens: your utility, your style, your path forward(held in person on 4/29 and 4/30/2025)
The utility landscape
Explore distinct types of utility ownership models, infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and sustainability efforts. The course aims to equip participants with a working knowledge that will enable them to understand and successfully navigate the complexities of the municipal utilities sector from a broad perspective.
Leveraging DiSC® for effective leadership
Using the DiSC® assessment, leaders will better understand their own behavioral style as well as the behaviors of others on their team. This course combines theoretical frameworks with practical exercises, helping leaders develop skills to enhance their leadership capabilities, supervision methods, and to develop strategies for working with a wide range of interpersonal styles.
Leading a municipal utility
Gain insights into the governance and regulatory frameworks that shape municipal utilities, their roles in local communities, and the strategies they employ to deliver essential services.
Course two
Building bridges: connecting plans, projects, and people(held in person on 9/17 and 9/18/2025)
Leading strategically in the utilities sector
Explore the essential components of strategic leadership, focusing on the ability to create and communicate a compelling vision, align resources, and create a strategic plan that will drive organizational success.
Influencing others: enhancing leadership, communication and team dynamics using Real Colors®
Understand the essential communication, problem solving, and team building skills necessary for effective leadership using the Real Colors® workshop as a foundation. Learn about various communication styles, strategies for building trust and rapport, and techniques for influencing others.
Project management excellence in the utilities sector
Learn about the principles and practices of project management. You will explore the entire project lifecycle–from initiation to planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills required to effectively manage resources, time, costs, quality, and risk in a project environment.
Course three
Thriving together: leadership for dynamic teams and evolving challenges(held in person on 1/21 and 1/22/2026)
Building high-performance teams in municipal utilities: cultivating a culture of excellence and collaboration
Explore the key elements that contribute to a strong culture, including values, behaviors, and practices that foster engagement and collaboration. Learn about the dynamics of effective teamwork that elevate the entire organization and drive results, then develop techniques to maximize them for your utility.
Leading dynamic changes in municipal utilities: driving innovation and transformation
This segment will equip leaders with the tools and strategies to drive change within the organization and overcome resistance to it. Learn to align teams with ever-evolving goals, manage push back, and implement sustainable solutions that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and community impact.
Interactive capstone project
Leaders will apply their learnings to develop a strategic initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency, service delivery, or sustainability within their municipal utility. Each leader will identify a key challenge facing their utility and design a framework for a comprehensive solution that aligns with the utility's long-term objectives. Team presentations and peer solutions will round out this course.
The DUEL program features a wide variety of elective educational courses. Program participants will choose the five courses that best fit their needs and interests. The classes will be offered virtually over the course of a year, and additional courses may be added as hot topics arise.
All virtual courses are scheduled to run 10:00 am to 11:30 am on the dates listed in the description unless otherwise noted.
1. Bonding and financing tools for municipal utilities (held on 7/16/2026)
This course will provide utility leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the financial tools and strategies available for funding infrastructure projects, managing debt, and ensuring long-term fiscal health. Explore the intricacies of municipal bonds, funding mechanisms, and financial management critical to the sustainability and growth of utility operations.
2. Building a strategic utility budget: managing resources for sustainable growth (held on 3/26/2026)
This course will equip leaders with a comprehensive overview of how to create and manage a utility budget. We will cover the building blocks of budgeting including important background work such as rate studies, salary surveys, and other benchmarking. The course will also cover estimating revenues and expenditures, the importance of financial policies, forecasting, and capital planning.
3. Collaborative leadership: working with councils and commissions (held on 9/2/2026)
This course will examine the skills and strategies necessary for effectively engaging with local councils, commissions, and other governing bodies. Leaders will learn how to navigate the complex dynamics of municipal decision-making, build strong relationships with elected officials and commissioners, and advocate for policies that support the growth and sustainability of utility operations.
4. Crisis leadership in the utilities sector: navigating challenges and ensuring continuity (held on 10/16/2025)
Learn the skills and strategies necessary to effectively respond to and manage a crisis. The course will help you build resilience and readiness, preparing you to navigate difficult challenges.
5. Critical thinking for effective decision making (held on 6/18/2026)
This course will help you enhance your decision-making skills in both personal and professional contexts. Learn various decision-making techniques, improve critical thinking abilities, and develop tools to navigate complex decisions with more confidence.
6. From peer to leader: coaching your way to success (held on 9/4/2025)
Learn practical strategies to help navigate the unique challenges of transitioning from colleague to leader using a mentor/coach framework for leading while maintaining positive relationships and building an effective team.
7. Mastering grant writing for utilities: securing funding for growth and innovation (held on 2/19/2026)
This course will provide leaders with the essential skills and strategies to write successful grant proposals, from identifying funding sources to submitting well-crafted proposals that meet the needs and expectations of the funders.
8. Navigating the interview process: identifying talent with integrity and compliance (held on 5/15/2025)
This course will equip new leaders with the skills necessary to conduct effective and legal interviews. Topics will focus on enhancing leadership capabilities in asking the right questions, assessing talent, making informed hiring decisions, and fostering a positive candidate experience.
9. Negotiation skills for utility leaders: collaboration and stakeholder engagement (held on 11/18/2025)
Utility leaders are front and center when negotiation is needed. From daily work group discussions and interdepartmental problem-solving to more complex situations such as developing labor agreements, nailing down the terms of business contracts, and addressing service territory changes, successful negotiation with a diverse range of stakeholders is an essential part of your professional toolkit. This course will acquaint you with the basic negotiation skills needed to drive strategic outcomes, foster collaboration, and maintain positive relationships across all levels of utility engagement.
10. Regulatory knowledge and compliance in municipal utilities: navigating challenges for operational success (held on 7/17/2025)
This course will provide leaders with the tools and resources needed to navigate the complex landscape of utility regulations. Learn how to interpret and apply regulations effectively, identify potential compliance risks, and implement best practices for maintaining compliance across all areas of operations.
11. Strategic risk management in the utilities sector: safeguarding operations and ensuring resilience (held on 5/13/2026)
This course will equip utility leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and other areas of risk. Learn about the fundamentals of cybersecurity, the unique challenges faced by the grid, and strategies for safeguarding infrastructure and data.
12. Telling the municipal utilities story: crafting a compelling narrative for community engagement (held on 4/16/2026)
Discover how to effectively communicate the value, challenges, and impact of municipal utility services to diverse audiences. Through a blend of storytelling techniques and strategic messaging, you will learn how to craft compelling narratives that highlight the essential role municipal utilities play in the community.
13. Understanding human resources basics and employment law (held on 6/24/2025)
Gain practical insights into the foundational aspects of human resources, including the employee life cycle, while also diving into important employment laws including those addressing discrimination, workplace safety, labor rights, and compliance.
Additional in-person dates for this cohort
Foundations #2
September 17, 2025–1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
September 18, 2025–8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Foundations #3
January 21, 2026–1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
January 22, 2026–8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Registering for foundations course one automatically enrolls participants in foundations two and three as well as their chosen electives.
For best rates, register by April 7.
Coming soon:
Cohort 2 to start on June 25-26, 2025
Cohort 3 to start on Oct. 1-2, 2025
Registration Options
|
Registration Options
|
Credits | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Member registration (early bird)
Be prepared to select the five elective courses when registering. |
7.00 (Professional Development Hours) | $3,995.00 |
|
Non-member registration (early bird)
Be prepared to select the five elective courses when registering. |
7.00 (Professional Development Hours) | $5,995.00 |
|
Member registration
Be prepared to select the five elective courses when registering. |
7.00 (Professional Development Hours) | $4,195.00 |
|
Non-member registration
Be prepared to select the five elective courses when registering. |
7.00 (Professional Development Hours) | $6,295.00 |
Agenda
| April 29 | |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch and Ice Breaker |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Instruction |
| April 30 | |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Instruction |
Lodging
There are four hotels within a mile of MMUA. We do not have special pricing arranged with any of them at this time.
Minneapolis Marriott West
9960 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park
952-544-4400
Courtyard Minneapolis West
9980 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park
952-769-8997
Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis West
10600 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka
952-955-8855
LaQuinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
10420 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka
952-541-1094
For More Information:
