Now in its sixth year, Leadership Fellows Boulder County – a joint leadership development and networking program of The Community Foundation and the Boulder Chamber – is accepting applications for its 2016-17 class, due at noon on May 13, 2016. Approximately 30 emerging leaders are selected for the 11-month program every year.
“The program is a pipeline for business, nonprofit and government leaders,” says Josie Heath, President, The Community Foundation. “It represents our long-standing commitment to leadership development right here at home, and the strengths and experience of the Boulder Chamber.” Indeed, the program combines the strengths of the organizations’ previous endeavors in this area: the Chamber’s Leadership Boulder County, which ran for 25 years; and The Community Foundation’s Leadership Fellows program, which ran four years before merging with the Chamber.
Leadership Fellows Boulder County offers up-and-coming transformational leaders across sectors a broadly-based overview of Boulder County’s economic, civic and cultural drivers. Graduates of Leadership Fellows Boulder County are expected to take on local leadership roles (e.g., join a nonprofit or government board or commission, work on a candidate or initiative campaign, lead a neighborhood or school association, or run for office).
Monthly curriculum topics include, among others, inclusive and transformational leadership, entrepreneurship, business and the local economy, collaboration among for-profits and nonprofits, critical human needs, education funding and systems, boards and commissions, Government 101 and roundtable discussions on a range of timely issues – from affordable housing to immigration, criminal justice and the arts.
“Over the past five years, we’ve seen increased participation of emerging leaders in various capacities, countywide,” says Heath. “The program is gaining traction exponentially as current participants and alumni leverage ongoing opportunities to deepen their understanding of local communities, and expand their networks.”
To date, within six months of graduation, 81% of Leadership Fellows reported joining a nonprofit board; 26% reported joining a government board or commission; and 13% reported working on a local campaign for a candidate or issue. Another 62% of participants said they planned to apply for a new board or commission, or work on a campaign within a year. Additionally, 32% of participants reported a career promotion in the past year, and 31% said they intend to seek a promotion in the next 12 months. All fellows report continuing interaction with other participants, outside planned program activities.
The sixth cohort of Leadership Fellows will convene for the first time in September 2016. Monthly meetings will take place throughout Boulder County, and will feature facilitated conversations with current leaders from the business, civic, nonprofit and cultural sectors. Tuition is $1,200; scholarships are available, provided in part by program sponsors – including Ball Aerospace, Boulder County, BBVA Compass Bank, Celestial Seasonings, Corden Pharma, Google’s Boulder operation and the Knight Foundation.
