Are you ready to shape the future of your local government and grow your career? The Emerging Leaders Development Program (ELDP) is a six-month experience designed for early- to mid-level professionals who aspire to leadership roles in local government. Through flexible learning tracks, interactive workshops, networking and mentorship opportunities, you'll strengthen the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacities needed to thrive in an evolving public sector while becoming part of a vibrant community of leaders committed to excellence in public service.

Program Details

The program is organized into three tracks, each focused on a key area of local government leadership. The curriculum is aligned with ICMA's 14 Practice Areas and designed to develop seven essential leadership capacities. You can take workshops across tracks to tailor the learning to your professional goals and interests. 
 

Track 1: Leading People

Who am I as a leader, and how do I bring out the best in others?
Workshops in this track:
•    Developing and Leading High-Performing Teams
•    Leading People Through Change
•    Crisis Management and Resilient Leadership
•    Strategic Communication and Leadership Influence
 

Track 2: Serving Communities

How do I build trust, engage others, and create positive outcomes for the communities I serve?
Workshops in this track:
•    Working Effectively with Elected Officials
•    Sustainability in Local Government: Environmental, Economic, and Social
•    Creative and Collaborative Problem Solving for Complex Challenges
•    Community Engagement & Public Trust

Track 3: Driving Organizational Results

How do I turn vision into action and deliver results that matter?
Workshops in this track:
•    Strategic Planning & Service Delivery
•    Project Management: From Planning to Implementation
•    Measuring What Matters: Performance Management and Analytics
•    Budgeting, Resource Allocation, and Fiscal Stewardship

Program-Wide Forums

In addition to track workshops, you'll have the opportunity to participate in program-wide forums that explore emerging issues and ethical leadership in local government:
•    Ethics in Practice
•    Responsible Technology Adoption in Local Government
 

Program Components

Workshops & Forums

Each three-hour interactive workshop is led by a subject matter expert and focuses on practical leadership skills and real-world application. 

Workshops are held on Tuesdays from 1:00-4:00 PM ET. 

Cohort Networking Sessions

Monthly networking sessions offer you the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, discuss leadership challenges, and learn from one another. There are cohort-wide and role-based networking sessions. 

Mentoring Sessions

Scheduled mentoring hours give you the chance to ask questions, get feedback, and talk through your portfolio work with subject matter experts.

Leadership Portfolio

After each workshop, you'll complete a practical application activity that connects learning to your work. Together, these activities build a Leadership Portfolio that documents your growth, demonstrates your learning, and showcases your development across seven leadership capacities. 

Program Components

Workshops & Forums

Each three-hour interactive workshop is led by a subject matter expert and focuses on practical leadership skills and real-world application. 

Workshops are held on Tuesdays from 1:00-4:00 PM ET. 

Cohort Networking Sessions

Monthly networking sessions offer you the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, discuss leadership challenges, and learn from one another. There are cohort-wide and role-based networking sessions. 

Mentoring Sessions

Scheduled mentoring hours give you the chance to ask questions, get feedback, and talk through your portfolio work with subject matter experts.

Leadership Portfolio

After each workshop, you'll complete a practical application activity that connects learning to your work. Together, these activities build a Leadership Portfolio that documents your growth, demonstrates your learning, and showcases your development across seven leadership capacities. 

Time Commitment

ELDP is designed for working professionals and offers flexibility in how you engage with the program. At the same time, meaningful leadership development extends beyond attending workshops. To get the most from the experience, plan to spend time between sessions reflecting on your learning, completing portfolio tasks, and applying new ideas in your work.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey?

Apply now to join a community of emerging leaders who are growing their leadership capacity, building meaningful professional relationships, and shaping the future of local government.

Please note: After December 15, 2026, the tuition fee is non-refundable. 

Registration Closes January 15, 2027!