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United Way — 2026 cohort

Leadership Development Academy

This experience is designed for individuals who are ready to grow as leaders, not just in title, but in impact.

Throughout the program, participants strengthen their ability to lead with clarity, collaborate across differences, and contribute meaningfully to their organizations and communities. Grounded in six core pillars — Adaptive, Authentic, Holistic, Team, Board, and Community Leadership — the program blends personal development with real-world application.

Each cohort brings together a diverse group of leaders from across the region, intentionally selected to learn and grow together. Participants leave with stronger leadership clarity, expanded networks, and practical tools they can apply immediately.

This application is an opportunity for us to learn more about you, your experiences, and your perspective. It should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.

There are no right answers here. We're more interested in how you think and what you care about than in what you've already achieved. Answer honestly, and let your voice come through.

To begin, select the program you are applying for below.

The Emerging Leaders Development Program is designed for individuals typically between the ages of 21 and 45 who are in the early to mid stages of their leadership journey.

I understand the conditions above and affirm that I am eligible

The Pride Leadership Development Program is offered to those who self-identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community

I understand the conditions above and affirm that I am eligible

The African American Leadership Development Program is offered to those who self-identify as black or a person of African American heritage.

I understand the conditions above and affirm that I am eligible

The Latino Leadership Development Program is offered to those who self-identify as a person of Latino or Hispanic heritage.

I understand the conditions above and affirm that I am eligible

The Development of Indo-American Leaders Program is offered to those who self-identify as a person of Indo-American heritage.

I understand the conditions above and affirm that I am eligible

Emerging Leaders Development Program

5 sessions · All in-person · 8:00am – 4:30pm

#

Pillar

Date

1

Adaptive Leadership

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

2

Holistic & Authentic Leadership

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

3

Team Leadership

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

4

Board Leadership ✦

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

5

Community Leadership & Class Projects

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

✦ Session 4 (Board Leadership) is a shared session with the Pride Leadership Development Program.

Attendance Confirmation

This program requires full attendance at all 5 sessions. Please review the dates above and confirm your availability before continuing.

I have reviewed the session dates above and confirm that I am able to attend and actively participate in all 5 sessions of the Emerging Leaders Development Program.I may have a conflict with at least one of the dates listed.If you have a conflict with a single session, note it in the additional information section before submitting. Conflicts with two or more sessions may affect your eligibility.

Latino Leadership Development Program

6 sessions · All in-person · 8:00am – 4:30pm

#

Pillar

Date

1

Adaptive Leadership

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

2

Authentic Leadership

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

3

Holistic Leadership

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

4

Team Leadership

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

5

Board Leadership ✦

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

6

Community Leadership & Class Projects

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

✦ Session 5 (Board Leadership) is a shared session with the African American Leadership Development Program.

Attendance Confirmation

This program requires full attendance at all 6 sessions. Please review the dates above and confirm your availability before continuing.

I have reviewed the session dates above and confirm that I am able to attend and actively participate in all 6 sessions of the Latino Leadership Development Program.I may have a conflict with at least one of the dates listed.If you have a conflict with a single session, note it in the additional information section before submitting. Conflicts with two or more sessions may affect your eligibility.

African American Leadership Development Program

6 sessions · All in-person · 8:00am – 4:30pm

#

Pillar

Date

1

Adaptive Leadership

Thursday, September 10, 2026

2

Authentic Leadership

Thursday, September 17, 2026

3

Holistic Leadership

Thursday, September 24, 2026

4

Team Leadership

Thursday, October 1, 2026

5

Board Leadership ✦

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

6

Community Leadership & Class Projects

Thursday, October 15, 2026

✦ Session 5 (Board Leadership) is a shared session with the Latino Leadership Development Program.

Attendance Confirmation

This program requires full attendance at all 6 sessions. Please review the dates above and confirm your availability before continuing.

I have reviewed the session dates above and confirm that I am able to attend and actively participate in all 6 sessions of the African American Leadership Development Program.I may have a conflict with at least one of the dates listed.If you have a conflict with a single session, note it in the additional information section before submitting. Conflicts with two or more sessions may affect your eligibility.

Pride Leadership Development Program

5 sessions · All in-person · 8:00am – 4:30pm

#

Pillar

Date

1

Adaptive Leadership

Thursday, October 22, 2026

2

Holistic Leadership

Thursday, October 29, 2026

3

Authentic & Team Leadership

Thursday, November 5, 2026

4

Board Leadership ✦

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

5

Community Leadership & Class Projects

Thursday, November 19, 2026

✦ Session 4 (Board Leadership) is a shared session with the Emerging Leaders Development Program.

Attendance Confirmation

This program requires full attendance at all 5 sessions. Please review the dates above and confirm your availability before continuing.

I have reviewed the session dates above and confirm that I am able to attend and actively participate in all 5 sessions of the Pride Leadership Development Program.I may have a conflict with at least one of the dates listed.If you have a conflict with a single session, note it in the additional information section before submitting. Conflicts with two or more sessions may affect your eligibility.

Personal Information

First Name

Middle Initial

Last Name

Pronouns

Other Pronouns

Gender

Other Gender

Self -Identification

Date of Birth

Please select how you best describe your ethnicity

Other ethnicity

Need special accommodations? please select any that apply

Address

City

State

Zip

County

How long have you lived in the area?

Cell Phone

Home Phone

Personal Email

Employment (if applicable)

Employer

Job Title

Department

Work Address

Work City

Work State

Work Zip

Work Phone

Work Email

Program Tuition & Financial Support

$600 per participant

All sessions, materials, and program perks included.

Complimentary graduation tickets

Continental breakfast each session

Program books and materials

Lunch with alumni

Board Strong online matching program

Access to LDA alumni network

How do you plan to fund your participation?

Select the option that best reflects your situation. This does not affect your application — we want to make sure every accepted participant has a path to participate.

Supervisor or billing contact name

Supervisor or billing contact email

We want every accepted participant to have a path to participate. Limited scholarship support is available, please share your situation and the maximum amount you are able to contribute. (250 words or less)

Education

What is the highest level of your education?

Other education level

Communication Preferences

Preferred Phone

Preferred Email

Preferred Address

Preferred First Name

How did you hear about United Way's Leadership Development Program?

Employer	United Way's Website
Article	Television
Friend	Work Colleague
Alumni	Other

Your Leadership Story

This section is an opportunity to share your experiences and perspective. There are no right or wrong answers—please respond in a way that feels authentic to you.

How would you describe your current leadership role?

I do not currently hold a formal or informal leadership roleInformal leader (faith community leader, community, subject matter expert, or volunteer leader)Frontline leader (direct team leader)Mid-level leader (leader of leaders)Senior leader (organizational leader)

How many years of leadership experience do you have?

What motivates you to grow as a leader in your organization or community?

In a few sentences, share a moment when you helped move a group, team, or community effort forward. What role did you play, and what you learned from it? (A brief response or bullets are welcome, 150 words or less)

What strengths, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to your cohort?

How do you show up when working with others toward a shared goal? (A brief response or bullets are welcome, 150 words or less)

When working in a team, what role do you naturally take on?

The organizer, the idea generator, the connector, the executor? (A brief response or bullets are welcome, 150 words or less)

What community challenge or opportunity are you most interested in exploring?

The program includes a collaborative research project focused on a local community issue. Select the topics that resonates with you most (hold Ctrl to select more than one issue).

Tell us more about ONE of the community challenges that interest you.

What draws your attention to this issue, and why does it matter to you? If applicable, feel free to include an organization, initiative, or effort currently working in this area that you find meaningful or inspiring.(A brief response or bullets points are welcome, 150 words or less)

What sectors or functional areas best represent your professional background? *

Select all that apply - up to 5. We use this to build project teams and a well-rounded cohort.

Community & Social Impact

Nonprofit Operations	Community Organizing
Philanthropy & Fundraising	Volunteer & Faith-Based Leadership

Business & Operations

Finance & Accounting	Human Resources & Organizational Development
Marketing, Communications & PR	Strategy & Executive Management
Entrepreneurship & Business Development	Legal & Risk Management

Public Sector & Government

Government & Public Policy	Public Safety (Policing, Fire, EMS)
Military & Veterans Services

Education

K–12 Education

Higher Education

Health & Human Services

Health Care & Public Health	Social Services & Human Services
Mental Health & Wellness

Technology & Innovation

Technology & Information Systems

Research, Data & Evaluation

Other

Arts, Media & Culture	Environmental & Sustainability
Real Estate & Housing

Leadership Training

Please list any leadership training you have attended in the past two years.

Name of Training

Year Started

Year Ended

Year difference

Community Engagement

Please enter any organization and/or type of service to which you have volunteered in the past two years.

Organization

Role

Year Started

Year Ended

Year difference

Please upload your resume

Please share any other information or details you would like us to consider

Please share any potential schedule conflicts here

All applicants will receive notification regarding whether or not they are admitted into the leadership development program. If accepted, all applicants will be formally screened by the interview and selection committee before July 31.

By submitting this application, I agree to do the following:

On-time and full attendance at all in-person and virtual sessions.
Use the training and acquired skills to expand my role as a community leader.
Complete any follow-up evaluations/surveys.
Open, honest and respectful communication in all discussions.
Timely completion of all program activities.

By checking this box I acknowledge that all statements made in this application are accurate to the best of my knowledge.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

By submitting this application, I agree to do the following:

Attend the DIAL training session and participate in the program to the best of my ability.
Complete any follow-up evaluations/surveys
Following the training session, coordinate meetings with my assigned mentor to discuss community leadership opportunities.
Use the DIAL training to expand my role as a community leader.
If placed on a board, committee or community project, serve for at least one term.
Allow DIAL and United Way to include my name in its volunteer opportunities database.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

DIAL is a one-day program that includes various speakers covering topics such as board governance, fundraising, PR, networking, mentoring, and much more.
The training is FREE with breakfast and lunch included.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Abhas Kumar at (510) 220-4949 or abhask@niit.com

By checking this box I acknowledge that all statements made in this application are accurate to the best of my knowledge.

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