Most companies hand someone a title and hope leadership follows. Bierman treats leadership as a skill set you build on purpose, with a curriculum, mentorship, and a real project behind it, before the title ever changes.
RISE is Bierman’s leadership development program for team members who’ve already shown they’re ready to grow. It isn’t open enrollment. It’s an invitation into a structured program built around four themes: Responsibility, Inspiration, Solution-focused thinking, and Excellence.
Not applicants. You're identified, not self-nominated.
Not a mentorship program that depends on having the right manager.
Tied to an actual organizational initiative, not a hypothetical case study.
Clinical Director, Practice Manager, and senior leadership roles across the organization.
For selected Behavior Analysts and Team Leads being developed toward Clinical Director or Practice Manager roles. A structured, months-long journey combining themed leadership training, a peer learning circle, mentorship check-ins, and a capstone project focused on real client and operational outcomes.
For senior leaders already in center, clinical, or corporate roles, being developed toward even greater scope and responsibility. Built around live instructor-led sessions, self-paced learning, capstone guidance, and Profiles in Leadership conversations with Bierman's senior leadership team.
Clifton Strengths and 360 feedback establish where you're starting from.
RISE participants are identified, not self-selected. Team members are considered when they:
RISE is one part of Bierman University, Bierman’s internal learning and development platform. Where Bierman University’s foundation supports every team member’s onboarding and ongoing growth, RISE is the layer built specifically for leadership, alongside programs like PROPEL and the Clinician-in-Training track.
of roles at Bierman are filled internally
team members were promoted internally in 2025
Bierman internal promotion data, 2025.
RISE is Bierman’s leadership development program, built around four themes: Responsibility, Inspiration, Solution-focused thinking, and Excellence. It combines structured coursework, mentorship, and applied projects to develop team members who’ve already shown leadership potential into Bierman’s next generation of Clinical Directors, Practice Managers, and senior leaders.
RISE isn’t open enrollment. Participants are identified by Bierman leadership based on demonstrated leadership behavior, a track record connected to client and operational outcomes, and readiness to take on more responsibility. RISE Rockhopper is for selected Behavior Analysts and Team Leads. RISE Emperor is for senior leaders already working across center, clinical, and corporate roles.
RISE Rockhopper develops emerging center-based leaders toward Clinical Director or Practice Manager roles. RISE Emperor develops leaders already in senior positions toward even greater scope and responsibility, spanning center, clinical, and corporate functions.
Selection is based on demonstrated leadership behavior, not tenure or self-application. Bierman leadership identifies team members who consistently model the organization’s leadership standards and show potential for Clinical Director, Practice Manager, or senior leadership roles.
RISE is a structured, months-long program combining themed learning, mentorship, and a capstone project. Length varies by track.
Graduates move forward with a clear next step in their leadership path. Ninety percent of Clinical Directors at Bierman were promoted from internal BCBAs, and RISE is one of the systems built to support that pipeline.
