“As this course comes to a close, I’m leaving with a much deeper understanding of the Chief of Staff role—not just as a strategic partner, but as a connector, integrator, and amplifier within an organization. One of the most valuable insights I gained is how critical it is for a Chief of Staff to fill the white space—to anticipate needs, align priorities, and create structure where there may be ambiguity. Through topics like business planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement, I’ve learned how the Chief of Staff must balance both execution and strategy, while also serving as a trusted advisor and organizational glue. I especially appreciated the emphasis on identifying gaps and managing up, across, and down to keep priorities moving forward. This course helped me refine the skills I already use in my current role and gave me the tools to grow into a more strategic and confident leader. I now see a clear path forward for how I can bring even more value to executive leadership and help shape the long-term success of an organization.”

– Amy, Virtual Student, 2025

“Yes, to all of this! As a recent Nova Chief of Staff grad, I believe one of the most significant strengths of the Nova Chief of Staff Certification was its ability to illuminate how to work collaboratively with executives. The course content provided a clear understanding of the strategic considerations, project management, communication, and interdepartmental relationships that are crucial at this level. This insight is particularly beneficial for those aspiring to Chief of Staff roles and all executive assistant roles who need to effectively interact with executive leadership.”

– Carol, Virtual Student, 2025

“Before attending the course, my understanding of the Chief of Staff role was quite limited and vague. I initially perceived it as a natural progression from an Executive Assistant position. However, I soon recognized that many Chief of Staff roles demand extensive knowledge and experience in business and management. This realization highlighted the need for me to significantly upskill. Nevertheless, I also recognized several areas where I could leverage my experience as an Executive Assistant. Specifically, I believe I can effectively contribute to communication efforts—not only with leaders but also with the leadership team and internal and external stakeholders. Through these communications, I see the potential to become a valuable intermediary among different parties.”

– Akiko, Virtual Student, 2025

"This course has offered me so much in the way of learning. I learned what to and what not to do when creating documents for the business such as how they should be formatted for content, and things to include. I also learned that I needed to learn more haha. Every one of us at the assigned table were on different levels and I realized that I was not the smartest in the room and that was ok. I also learned that I was doing the bare minimum when it came to supporting a leader, that I needed to step up my game, and that it would take more effort on my part. I took the opportunity to learn from someone who was smarter than me and even asked if we could stay in touch outside of the class so I could continue to learn from her.

This course was very intensive but very well worth my time, effort, and money.”

– Hollis, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

"The course was well-structured and provided a great foundation for understanding and excelling in the Chief of Staff role. Feedback on what worked well:

- Emphasis on Strategic and Operational Balance: The focus on balancing strategic vision with operational detail was insightful. This distinction is key to the CoS role, and the course did an excellent job of highlighting how to approach both areas thoughtfully.

- Group Collaboration: Working with peers on group assignments was helpful. It mirrored real-world cross-functional collaboration, which is a big part of the Chief of Staff role and allowed us to learn from each other's backgrounds and approaches.”

– Katrina, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

"Practical Tools and Templates

The inclusion of customizable templates and tools is one of the program’s biggest assets. These resources allow participants to hit the ground running in their roles by providing proven frameworks that can be adapted to fit the specific needs of their organizations. This practical focus ensures that the learning is immediately applicable.

Diverse Curriculum and Real-World Case Studies

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics relevant to a Chief of Staff, from strategic planning and project management to executive communication and stakeholder engagement. The use of real-world case studies makes the material relatable and helps participants see how the concepts apply in different business contexts.”

– Tilandra, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

"Over the past three days of in-person training, I've felt incredibly energized and validated by the Nova Chief of Staff Certification experience. What I enjoyed most was the deep sense of community and live interaction, which kept me fully engaged and made the learning feel real and relevant. It was powerful to learn from Maggie, whose insight, authenticity, and encouragement brought the material to life and helped me see my strengths in a new light. I especially appreciated how the course emphasized the strategic nature of the Chief of Staff role—something I've already been living out but now understand with greater clarity and confidence."

– Tali, In-Person Student, Louisville 2025

"As a current new Chief of Staff, I signed up for this course to better understand the role and to learn organization tips and tricks to be successful in the role. This course did not disappoint. I heard very real situation from subject matter experts. I learned how to create complete tracking documents to help pull tasks together for successful communication and implementation. This course reinforced that the role of a CoS is multifaceted working with internal and external stakeholders for success on initiatives and freeing up CEO time for big picture thinking."

– Barbara, Virtual Student, 2023

"Over the past three days of our in-person training, I really appreciated the opportunity to delve into the importance of the Chief of Staff role. It helped me gain clarity on how my team and those around me should view me as I transition into this role. One of the key takeaways for me was learning how to craft cohesive storytelling for presentations. The training reinforced the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and strategic alignment—critical skills I’ll take with me."

– Maritza, In-Person Student, Louisville 2025

"In terms of hands-on learning and application, I found the course's emphasis on real-world exercises particularly valuable. Specifically, the briefs provided a practical framework that I could use. The all-hands sessions were instrumental in thinking overall about communication mechanisms, company culture, morale, etc. Additionally, creating a business planning slide deck was a standout experience for me. This task not only reinforced my understanding of strategic planning but also enhanced my ability to communicate ideas effectively and succinctly. Overall, these activities were crucial in equipping me with skills that are directly applicable in professional settings."

– Bree, Virtual Student, 2024

“I feel significantly more prepared to search, interview, and succeed in a Chief of Staff role. The course has provided me with a solid foundation of the responsibilities and challenges involved in the position. Specific topics that helped me feel most prepared include: Strategic Communication: Learning how to tailor messaging to different audiences, especially senior executives, was essential. This will help me present key insights, updates, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in interviews and on the job. Project Management: The modules focused on managing various workstreams, tracking projects, and creating actionable plans were incredibly practical. Being able to demonstrate these skills in interviews as well as applying them in a CoS role will show my ability to handle the complexities of cross-functional initiatives. Executive Presence: The emphasis on cultivating executive presence, from developing a vision to how to present under pressure, prepared me to project confidence and lead in high-stakes environments.

– Cassey, Virtual Student, 2024