LeadBoston Class of 2027 Application

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Welcome to the LeadBoston Application!


You may pause and revisit this application at any time before submission by following the directions at the top of each page. You will also have the opportunity to review your full application before pressing submit at the end of the application.

For any technical questions regarding application submission, please contact Samantha Berley our Senior Systems Manager at surveys@ywboston.org.

For LeadBoston specific questions and extension requests, please contact Kimara Merceron, Manager of Partnerships at kmerceron@ywboston.org.

Thank you for your interest in LeadBoston. We look forward to reviewing your application.

- The LeadBoston Team


The information collected through this form helps us understand who is engaging with LeadBoston and ensures our programs are inclusive and representative of our community. Any personal or identity information you share will be stored securely and used only for internal purposes. This information will not be shared externally or used for purposes unrelated to LeadBoston programming.


Applications are OPEN until October 12th, 2026

At YW Boston, we want to make sure that we are addressing you in the ways that you prefer and that are most inclusive. We therefore ask for both your first and last name, and welcome you to share your preferred name and your pronouns.





if different from your first name


Not required.

Home Address





Phone



Email




*Our team will use this email address to schedule your interview and communicate about next steps in the process, please choose an email address you check frequently and check for spelling errors before submitting.

Examples: WGBH advertising, a LeadBoston alum, a colleague, etc.

Applicant Demographics

At YW Boston intersectionality is central to the work that we do. The section below is a first opportunity for you to share some information about your identity as we work to build a cohort that reflects the diversity of the Greater Boston area. Please note that only questions with a red asterisk (*) are required, but we welcome you to share as much as you're willing.


If there are other aspects of your identity that you would like to share, or if the choices in this form do not accurately represent you, please let us know in the text box at the end of the page so that we may better recognize you and future applicants.




please answer with a number representing years: "5" or "20.5"





Gender and Racial/Ethnic Identities
Below are several questions related to gender, race, and ethnicity. You may notice that some of these questions are repeated, once as “choose one” and again as “choose all that apply.” This is for two reasons: First, while some people might self-identify as one answer within a category, others might self-identify as several. Second, we want to honor how you self-identify and allow for broader categories that protect the anonymity of participants in smaller or under-represented groups.

While we attempt to have lists that are both representative and expansive, we know that our lists are not inclusive of all responses. Please use the open-ended responses areas to help us continue to best represent the diversity of our clients.

Gender
Gender is a category we use all the time, but can actually refer to several different socially constructed categories such as Gender Identity (man, cis, trans, woman, genderqueer, etc.), Gender Expression (e.g. masculine, feminine, neutral), and Sex (e.g. male, female, intersex, etc.).

We collect this information to help foster an inclusive community where every identity is respected. Please be assured that your data is kept confidential; it is only shared within our program department and never outside the organization. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to David at drodriguez@ywboston.org for support.



Race, Ethnic, and Cultural Identities
Race and ethnicity are complex social constructs. Race is often determined by how you look in a certain context (e.g. the US), while ethnicity is based on the cultural groups you belong to and may be shaped by your social, religious, linguistic, and/or national affiliation.





These regions are drawn from the UN Statistical Commission.



The LeadBoston team will work their best to accommodate any translation needs.
YW Boston strives to provide inclusive programming. Your answer to this question will not impact your candidacy for the program.

Additional Identity Information


Interest Statement


Please record a short video (maximum 5 minutes; we will not review content beyond this limit) introducing yourself to the LeadBoston selection committee. This can be an informal, self-taped conversation to camera.
In your video, please address the following:
  • Who you are: Share a bit about yourself and a few words family, friends, or colleagues might use to describe you.
  • Why LeadBoston: Why are you interested in this program, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
  • Working across differences: Briefly reflect on your experience engaging or collaborating with people from a range of identities, backgrounds, or perspectives.





Employment Information

Please answer the following questions about your current employer:




Please estimate the global number of full-time employees working for your organization. If you do not know, please take your best guess and click the checkbox in the question below.
A member of the YW Boston team will contact you to confirm the size of your organization for our sliding-scale tuition pricing.



please enter a URL

please answer in years

We will not contact your supervisor without first communicating with you.


LeadBoston Tuition Information
The expected tuition amount for participating in the LeadBoston program is listed below. YW Boston uses a sliding fee scale based on the sector and size of the applicant’s organization.

Cannot change this field.



Please select one of the following options:
Indicating that you are already discussing LeadBoston with your supervisor will let us know we can shortly generate an email to your supervisor confirming that you have completed the application and provide them with additional information about LeadBoston.


By indicating that I am already discussing LeadBoston with my supervisor, I acknowledge that my discussions have included: 
      • Paying the employer tuition.
      • My ability to attend all programming.
      • My employer's support developing a leadership commitment which will increase diversity, equity and inclusion at my workplace. 
A member of the LeadBoston Team will follow up with additional information. 

Commitment Statement

Selection:

  • I understand that LeadBoston is a competitive and selective process and that my application does not guarantee my selection for the program. 

Tuition (if selected):

  • I understand that LeadBoston employer tuition ranges from $2,750 to $9,000, depending on my employer's size and sector. 

  • I understand that if chosen as a participant, I am expected to contribute a personal tuition of $300. 

  • Should I be selected for the program and opt to enroll, I commit to either obtain my employer's or other sponsor's financial commitment, or directly pay the entire tuition myself. 

  • I further understand that payment in full, or agreement with YW Boston on a specific payment plan, is required by the end of January 2027.

  • I understand that the tuition and all fees are non-refundable. 

Participation (if enrolled):

  • I understand that consistent participation is vital to the success of the program and my learning. I will devote the time and resources necessary to ensure my full participation. 

  • I commit to fulfilling the program commitment (an average of ten hours a month), including monthly sessions, pre-work, session feedback and programming surveys, a two-day local overnight event, and a graduation/closing celebration. Although emergencies may arise, I acknowledge that missing more than ten program hours may result in my dismissal from the program. 

  • I commit to take action to further equity and inclusion within my organization upon completing LeadBoston.

  • If I have questions about these commitments or anticipate needing an exception, I will reach out directly to a LeadBoston staff member.



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