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Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leaders Program is a 10-month, immersive, professional development experience for rising stars from the business, nonprofit, and government sectors who demonstrate leadership potential and are committed to supporting inclusive environments in their organization and community.
The Emerging Leaders Program inspires talented, high-performing professionals with experiences that empower them to deepen their community impact.
Program Content and Benefits
Emerging Leaders Program Participants grow in three primary areas:
Learn Transformational Leadership Skills
Skill development focuses on the tangible and intangible practices that strong leaders use to inspire and create change. Participants build these competencies by working with expert leadership coaches who guide them through monthly topics and exercises that are integrated with the Learning Day curriculum.
Increase Civic Engagement
Each month participants gain a deep understanding of a different community issue through a combination of:
- In-person Learning Days presented by subject matter experts and influential leaders
- Asynchronous learning opportunities in our online learning community via online discussion
- Curated resources including articles, videos, and other curated content
Emerging Leaders will be hands-on with a small group of classmates, applying their developing skills while working with a San Mateo County nonprofit.
Build Cross-Sector Relationships
The Emerging Leaders Program elevates and empowers participants by connecting them to one another, and to organizations that provide opportunities for systemic change.
The program creates opportunities for participants to develop meaningful relationships with their cohort, and to collaborate throughout the program and beyond.
Participants learn from, and gain exposure to, speakers who are influential across SMC, and they leave the program as part of a valuable alumni network with ongoing connection opportunities.
Benefit My Organization
Program graduates bring their clear sense of purpose to everything they do. They have learned and practiced leadership tools and mindsets that will activate change with a clear vision, outcomes, and team agreements, and, in so doing, will inspire collaborative problem solving.
They champion inclusion, remaining consistently present to the importance of diversity to their organization’s success.
Through valuable connections to the people, organizations, and services across San Mateo County, they collaboratively resolve issues, address needs in our communities, and help everyone to thrive. They bring new relationships and a better understanding of how to meet the needs of all people in San Mateo County.
Who Should Apply?
We welcome and encourage high-performing, professional candidates from diverse backgrounds and organizations who live and/or work in San Mateo County.
Commitment and Class Schedule
- Mandatory two-day opening retreat in September
- One Friday Learning Day per month for 10 months, October through June
- Learning Days are 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Pre-work and small-group project time is 4–5 hours per month
Learning Day Schedule
Opening Retreat (Mandatory)
September 14-15, 2023
Economic Development Day
October 20, 2023
Education and Being a Lifelong Learner
November 17, 2023
Civics and Being a Community Citizen
December 8, 2023
Human Services: Addressing the Needs of All Members of Our Community
January 26, 2024
Building Safe Communities
February 23, 2024
Building Healthy Communities
March 22, 2024
Environmental Impact
April 19, 2024
Intelligent Urbanism
May 10, 2024
Putting It All Together: Forging Strong Communities in San Mateo County
May 31, 2024
Closing Retreat and Graduation
June 1, 2024
Joint Session with the Leadership CORPS Program
Application Process
- Applications for Emerging Leaders Class of 2024 available March 3, 2023.
- Application deadline is May 1, 2023.
- Applicants notified by July 1, 2023.
Those who are not accepted will be placed on a waitlist and, if not accepted off the waitlist, are encouraged to reapply in future years.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are selected through a highly competitive application process. Leadership CORPS applicants must:
- Be committed to pursuing a leadership path or expanding their current role
- Demonstrate leadership potential by being proactive, seeking new opportunities, and going above and beyond what is required
- Seek to develop their understanding of the role and necessity of representative leadership to solve issues, and
- Have the full support of their employer if applying as part of an organization
Program Costs - Emerging Leaders Class of 2024
- Tuition is $2,800 plus a non-refundable $100 application fee.
- Fees can be paid by the individual or employer.
- Scholarships are available and payment plans can be arranged.
FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS
The Emerging Leaders program offers a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with other professionals interested in bettering themselves and the community. It is a great launching pad to engage with different sectors of the community and work toward building community together.
Mandy Brown
Senior Management Analyst
Town of Hillsborough
Pronouns (she/her/hers)
As part of the inaugural Emerging Leaders Class, I feel very inspired to be part of a strong group of people who are like-minded and doing great work in San Mateo County.
Maurice Baker
Acting Community Services Manager
City of East Palo Alto
Pronouns: he/him/his
Emerging Leaders Program is inspiring! If you are asked to step into a leadership role, always say 'YES!' We are all learning all the time and you CAN do it!
Alex Golding
Health Equity Coordinator & Clinical Program Analyst, StarVista San Mateo Pride Center
Pronouns: he/ him/his
