Who we are

Awakening Capacities to Cultivate True Wealth—Material, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual

We are the Whole Life Leadership Academy, a dynamic educational organization dedicated to nurturing young leaders, families, and communities. Rooted in the vision of Whole Life Wealth, our programs foster holistic growth across material, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, empowering individuals to thrive while contributing to a better world.

Founded by Brett Emmons, a seasoned leader and educator, the Academy draws inspiration from two transformative frameworks: the Training Institute of the Bahá’í Faith and the Whole Life Wealth Development Model. These integrated systems emphasize the power of personal growth, service leadership, and moral development, creating a foundation for participants to achieve balance, purpose, and lasting impact.

Our Core Programs

  • Young Adult Board of Directors Program: Designed for 18–25-year-olds, this flagship initiative offers a blend of mentorship, peer collaboration, and service leadership opportunities. Participants master tools like the Ideal Life Roadmap, develop essential life skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

  • Junior Youth & Youth SWAT Team Program: Tailored for 12–18-year-olds, this program channels energy and enthusiasm into purposeful action. Youth engage in leadership retreats, service projects, and team-building activities, cultivating resilience, empathy, and a commitment to service.

  • Facilitator Training: This program equips mentors, animators, and teachers with the tools to guide others effectively. Rooted in the Training Institute’s educational system, facilitators receive ongoing training, mentorship, and resources to lead transformative experiences in their communities.

What Sets Us Apart
Our Academy blends personal development with community service, ensuring that growth and contribution go hand in hand. With an emphasis on fostering intergenerational mentorship, spiritual education, and practical skill-building, the Whole Life Leadership Academy stands as a beacon of holistic development for individuals of all backgrounds.

At the Academy, we believe that true leadership begins with serving others. Through our programs, we create a ripple effect of transformation—uplifting individuals, families, and communities alike. Together, we are shaping a generation of resilient, compassionate leaders committed to advancing vibrant communities and a prosperous world.

Our History

The Whole Life Leadership Academy began in 2019 in Dover, Delaware, when a small group of community members came together to inspire and educate neighborhood children and youth through service. What started as informal gatherings and youth-led activities soon grew into the Delmarva Youth Movement, uniting families and volunteers in vibrant community-building efforts.

By 2021, the self-proclaimed SWAT Team (Service Warriors Advancing Transformation), a dedicated group of middle and high school-aged mentors, emerged to lead service initiatives and mentor younger participants. This team became the movement’s driving force, organizing activities, leading projects, and demonstrating the transformative power of service in community life.

By 2025, the program evolved into the Whole Life Leadership Academy, broadening its mission to include young adults and emphasizing the integral role of service in personal and career development. Recognizing the natural mentorship role of young adults, the Academy created opportunities for them to support children, junior youth, and youth. By guiding younger participants, collaborating with the SWAT Team, and leading community service initiatives, young adults amplify the Academy’s impact while receiving focused support for life planning, professional growth, and personal fulfillment. This integrated approach empowers them to develop the motivation, discipline, vision, and innovative, empathetic, and intuitive capacities essential for thriving in the modern age.

With activities growing in Dover, Seaford, Federalsburg, and beyond, the Whole Life Leadership Academy continues to inspire individuals to create meaningful lives and vibrant communities through the transformative power of service.

Atlantic RTI

The activities of the Whole Life Leadership Academy are organized through the Regional Training Institute of the Atlantic States (Atlantic RTI), a faith-based educational organization serving North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. This system of distance education develops the capacity of growing numbers of individuals to contribute to the construction of a better world by equipping them with spiritual insights and practical skills.

At the heart of the Atlantic RTI’s approach is the belief in the oneness of humanity. This guiding principle, inspired by the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, encourages individuals of all backgrounds to work shoulder-to-shoulder for the well-being of all. While the educational framework draws upon Bahá’í teachings, it is not religious education. The Training Institute materials used in the Academy focus on spiritual and moral empowerment without promoting any specific faith tradition. The Bahá’í Faith strictly forbids proselytization, ensuring a space of mutual respect and inclusion for everyone.

How Atlantic RTI Supports the Academy
On a practical level, Atlantic RTI provides:

  • Curriculum and Educational Framework: Core programming materials for spiritual and leadership development.

  • Oversight and Safety: Background checks for volunteers and the enforcement of policies to protect minors.

For more details about the Training Institute and the Bahá’í Faith, visitwww.atlanticrti.org orwww.bahai.us.

Delmarva Youth & Family Institute

The Delmarva Youth and Family Institute (DYFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a key administrative sponsor of the Whole Life Leadership Academy. DYFI is dedicated to supporting youth and family development while empowering local communities.

As the administrative arm of the Academy, DYFI provides essential services, including:

  • Registration, record-keeping, and volunteer coordination.

  • Background checks and compliance for participant safety.

  • Facilities management and logistical support for programs.

  • Media, communications, fundraising, and financial management.

DYFI ensures that the Whole Life Leadership Academy runs smoothly behind the scenes, allowing our facilitators and participants to focus fully on personal and collective growth.

Get Involved
If you’re interested in serving on the DYFI Board or a subcommittee, please contact admin@delmarvainstitute.org. For more information, visit www.delmarvainstitute.org.

Meet the Lead Facilitators

  • Brett Emmons

    FOUNDER

  • Alexis Stotler

    LEAD FACILITATOR

  • Vinny Sottile

    LEAD FACILITATOR