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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 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
Participants gain a deep understanding of issues facing San Mateo County 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 participate in a small-group, hands-on project, applying their developing skills while working with a San Mateo County organization.
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 Session in September
- Monthly Learning Days are on Fridays through early June 2026
- Learning Days are generally 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; December's Learning Day runs from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Pre-work and small-group project time is 3–4 hours per month
Learning Day Schedule (2025-2026) **
Two-Day Opening Session (Mandatory)
September 11 and 12, 2025
Healthy Communities
October 3, 2025
Economic Development & Opportunity
November 7, 2025
Leadership in Action
December 5, 2025 *
Human Services: Addressing the Needs of All Members of Our Community
January 23, 2026
Intelligent Urbanism
February 20, 2026
Educational Equity & Opportunity
March 13, 2026
Climate Resilience & Adaptation
April 10, 2026
Safe Communities
May 1, 2026
Civics and Being a Community Citizen
May 29, 2026 *
Closing Session and Graduation
June 5, 2026
Joint Session with the Leadership CORPS Program
* Hours for December's Learning Day are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
** Dates are firm. The order of topics and curriculum are subject to change.
Learning Day Schedule (2025-2026) **
Previous Learning Day topics have included: Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Human Services, Intelligent Urbanism, Education, Climate Resilience, Safe Communities, and Civics & Being a Community Citizen
Two-Day Opening Session (Mandatory)
September 11 and 12, 2025
Healthy Communities
October 3, 2025
Economic Development & Opportunity
November 7, 2025
Leadership in Action
December 5, 2025 *
Human Services: Addressing the Needs of All Members of Our Community
January 23, 2026
Intelligent Urbanism
February 20, 2026
Educational Equity & Opportunity
March 13, 2026
Climate Resilience & Adaptation
April 10, 2026
Safe Communities
May 1, 2026
Civics and Being a Community Citizen
May 29, 2026 *
Closing Session and Graduation
June 5, 2026
Joint Session with the Leadership CORPS Program
* Hours for December's Learning Day are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
** Dates are firm. The order of topics and curriculum are subject to change.
Application Process
- Applications for Emerging Leaders Class of 2026 available March 1, 2025.
- Application deadline is May 1, 2025.
- Applicants will be notified by July 1, 2025.
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. Emergingn Leaders Program 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 2026
- Tuition is $3,900 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
I feel so blessed to be a part of this program. The impact it is having on me is visible at work and in my professional development. I am not doubting offering my perspective and I am presenting myself differently. I feel activated and motivated to take on a bigger role living my purpose.
Leticia Gonzalez
Project Manager
Movement & Power Building
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Going through the Emerging Leaders Program has been transformative in several ways. Most importantly, it was a clear reminder of our community’s interconnectedness, and of the nature of effective leadership. I will leave this program a much more capable leader, prepared to effect positive change.
Gabe Aponte
HR Manager
County of San Mateo
President, PSHRA, Bay Area Chapter
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 AnalystTown 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 ManagerCity 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
