BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - s4story -- Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc. announces that its Founder and Managing Director, Anna D. Banks, has been selected to participate in the inaugural session of the TechWave Business Accelerator, launched by the Small Business Development Center at William Paterson University.

Anna was chosen as one of a limited group of founders invited to join the accelerator's maiden voyage, marking the first cohort of a new initiative designed to help high-potential businesses strengthen strategy, execution, and long-term sustainability.

The first session officially launched the multi-session program and focused on strategic planning fundamentals for founders. Participants engaged in a structured planning process that emphasized defining success, clarifying strategic focus, and aligning priorities with the systems required to execute effectively.

"The opening session reinforced something many founders overlook," said Banks. "Growth doesn't start with speed. It starts with clarity. This program begins by helping leaders slow down just enough to make the right strategic choices before scaling."

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A Founder-Centered Start: Strategy Before Scale

Rather than jumping directly into tactics, the TechWave Business Accelerator begins by grounding founders in disciplined strategy. During the first session, participants explored how effective organizations:

• Clearly define what success looks like
• Decide where to focus—and where not to play
• Build execution systems that support consistent follow-through

This approach reflects a shared belief between TechWave and Thrive Leadership Institute: strategy only matters if it can be executed.

Alignment with Thrive Leadership Institute's Work

Anna's participation in the inaugural cohort aligns closely with Thrive Leadership Institute's mission to help leaders and institutions turn clarity into action. The strategic planning framework introduced during the first session mirrors Thrive's long-standing focus on execution, accountability, and human-centered leadership.

"Being part of this first cohort is an opportunity to sharpen our internal strategy while learning alongside other founders who are serious about building sustainable businesses," Banks added. "This is the kind of work that strengthens leadership from the inside out."

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About the TechWave Business Accelerator

The TechWave Business Accelerator is delivered through the Small Business Development Center at William Paterson University and supports founders navigating growth, complexity, and strategic decision-making through expert instruction, peer learning, and applied planning.

About Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc.

Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc.  equips individuals, teams, and institutions with practical leadership, workforce, and AI literacy tools that turn strategy into results through clarity, execution, and trust. For more information visit: https://thriveleadershipinstituteinc.com/