The Minority Advancement Institute (MAI) was created in 2006 and focused on management, leadership, and mentoring of professionals of diverse backgrounds in the field of advancement. The program attracted and diverse professionals (i.e., ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age) that have the potential to rise to the ranks of senior management (ED/AVP/VP) in advancement. Case studies and small group exercises were combined with lectures and discussion sessions to provide a provocative and intellectual dialogue over the course of the week-long conference. Almost 100 professionals were part of this five-year initiative, which concluded in 2011 with a class reunion. Over 14 percent of the participants today are in senior leadership roles.