Are you an NLC Alumnus? Join our Ning network here and learn more about our Alumni Giving Campaign.
After significant research on successful alumni programming by companies like McKinsey & Co., educational institutions like the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and organizations like successful political campaigns, New Leaders Council launched a robust alumni engagement program in the Spring of 2009. NLC boasts over 330 alumni in 11 cities throughout the country. Each local alumni engagement program includes social and professional quarterly in-person reunions and networking events, quarterly educational webinars, an alumni social network on Ning, and an active job board. Recent developments include an alumni peer support network for professional development and entrepreneurial life plans, an alumni giving challenge and support for appointment to city committees, county commissions, and nonprofit and state boards.
We hope you’ll learn more about the NLC experience by hearing directly from recent NLC alumni. Please read their testimonials below:
“It is crucial to recognize the changed landscape through which we now travel, and to harness the powerful new tools at our disposal. New Leaders Council continues to teach me how to use those tools, and just as importantly, connects me with like-minded individuals whose progressive values are made manifest through practical application. Understanding techniques like how to frame an issue, how to connect with an audience, and how to effectively convey one’s ideas and sense of self through public speaking have already helped me in my creative and professional pursuits. As someone looking to incorporate my progressive beliefs into my filmmaking and campaign work, being part of NLC has provided me with the guidance, focus, and pragmatic skills required to fulfill the potential of this important moment.” - Saraubh Kikani, NLC Los Angeles Fellow
“NLC was a fundamental element of my education as a professional. In addition to acquiring invaluable, tangible skill sets in political entrepreneurship, I have met truly passionate people in diverse industries. The NLC family and friends have inspired me to continue being involved and have envisioned new leadership for our generation. I highly recommend this program for emerging leaders across the nation.” - Albert Hwu, NLC San Francisco Fellow
“Participating in New Leaders Council has been a wonderful opportunity for me as a young professional in many ways. NLC’s leadership training provided me with a broad background of insiders’ knowledge of progressive politics, campaigning and entrepreneurship. Equally as significant has been the way NLC has greatly expanded my network beyond contacts from college and internships, and into fields where I had previously had few connections, such as journalism and the non-profit sector. NLC has provided me and other fellows with a great mix of educational, professional and social resources in its chapter cities. I had the honor of being part of the first institute in New York City and I look forward to seeing NLC continue to grow and develop as greatly as it has over the past two years.” – Liz DeMarco, NLC New York Fellow
“When I first heard about the New Leaders Council Institute, I was immediately intrigued. I was in the second year of a two-year Master’s degree program in health policy and was feeling the desire to acquire a more comprehensive skill set for pursuing progressive ideals through professional, political and academic avenues. I had been involved in local politics before, and had an interest in government and policy that I was able to indulge through my work on the business side of healthcare. However, the NLC offered me an opportunity to really refine the skills needed to participate in the progressive movement more concretely. While the practical aspects of the NLC – presentation skills, campaign training, fundraising basics – were invaluable, by far the best part of the experience was the connection made among all the fellows. The 2009 fellows had rich and diverse backgrounds which made every discussion, every interaction a learning experience. And, our connection has extended beyond the five months of the institute; we regularly gather to catch up, brainstorm and network. Already, the accomplishments of my classmates have impressed me and I feel lucky to count myself as an NLC alum.” - Sarah K. Emond, MPP, NLC Boston Fellow 2009