February 1, 2025

NLC LEAD Facilitators are an integral part of pushing our community leadership movement forward. Having been through the program themselves, they bring a deep understanding of what it means to navigate our values, identities, leadership, community-building, and personal growth. As trusted mentors and skilled facilitators—they help cultivate a sense of belonging, ensuring that each cohort starts with a foundation of trust and collaboration. This is more than guiding discussions; it’s the incredible capacity of our NLC Facilitators to inspire, support, and empower others through an impactful weekend.

NLC LEAD Weekend is designed to provide Fellows with a framework to assess where they are now, envision where they want to go, and reflect on the role they want to play in their communities. It’s a time for deep self-reflection, while also allowing space for others to do the same. Fellows arrive with different levels of comfort, skills, and experience, but no matter where they start, this weekend encourages them to be fully present, open themselves to new perspectives, and invest in building strong, trust-driven relationships. “This is such an essential part of the NLC experience,” says Ambar Mendez, NLC Director of Programs and Operations. “Our Facilitators have been in the Fellows’ shoes. Now, they get to pass that experience forward, helping new cohorts build the same kind of trust and connection that makes NLC so powerful.”

The true value of this experience for our Facilitators is in the opportunity to be a part of shaping the next cohort, deepen their own leadership practice, and contribute to a culture of continued growth nationwide. NLC Facilitators aren’t just delivering a weekend of programming; they are leaving a lasting impact, creating space for Fellows to thrive, and ensuring that the cycle of learning, support, and leadership continues for years to come.

2025 NEW LEADERS COUNCIL LEAD FACILITATORS

December 13, 2024

With almost two decades of training and connecting leaders in cross-sector industries, New Leaders Council has built a movement of proximate leaders that center equity and create positive impact in local communities across the country. New Leaders Council alumni are in every room, across every corner of our country. In state capitals, leading their own organizations, opening doors wide for their communities, and building spaces that haven’t been designed yet.

Whether they work in public office, health, tech, non-profits, or other sectors, NLC alumni have connected and collaborated with others to make an incredible impact in their communities. Now, the 2025 NLC Fellows join them as a new kind of leader. During Institute, they’ll build lifelong relationships within their cohort and Chapter and be able to test out big ideas and create impact. 

“The NLC experience is about more than just leadership development—it’s about forging connections and reimagining what’s possible,” said Ambar Mendez, Director of Programs and Operations. “Our Fellows aren’t just participants; they’re changemakers.”

Starting in January, Fellows will begin the NLC Institute, which is delivered in chapters throughout the country. The Institute creates space for intensive leadership development and meaningful connection with other changemakers –  a key element in making lasting impact.  

While every chapter’s Institute is six months long, the national curriculum is tailored to connect Fellows’ training to local issues. The curriculum includes skill-building in areas such as collective impact, communications, fundraising, and community organizing, with equity and inclusion infused in each session. It is delivered by trainers from local networks, immersing Fellows in community-led change.

The Institute culminates in a capstone, where Fellows identify a project that fills a need in the community and is aligned with their passions and goals. Fellows leverage the skills and network NLC provides during the Institute for their capstone project – bringing the NLC experience to life in their communities. 

“This year, we welcome NLC Fellows to a network that believes in the power of their unique story, their vision, and their collective strength to drive the change our communities deserve,” said Mendez. “These NLC Fellows join our network as champions deeply connected to the communities they serve—leaders who know the names, stories, and dreams of those they advocate for. Together, we don’t just imagine change—we make it happen.”

Once Fellows graduate from Institute, they join a network of more than 13,000 NLC alumni who are making a collective impact in non-profit organizations, labor rights, government and the private sector. Whether they are strategists for work righters like Richard Fowler (NLC Washington DC 2012), advocates for criminal justice reform like Alyson Martinez (NLC South TX Frontera 2020), or founders of their own non-profits like Kytana Phillips (NLC Broward 2022), Ty Lim (NLC San Francisco 2018), Alister Martin (NLC Boston 2020), and Cat Plein (NLC Los Angeles 2017), the NLC Fellowship introduces them to a transformative community of changemakers, a comprehensive toolkit for leadership development, and a shared mission to build equitable and impactful solutions across sectors and communities.

NLC alumni have done great things in their communities, including expanding voting access, changing their state’s healthcare policy in under three weeks, and making history in the public sector. Our past cohorts have proven that systems can change when folks come together across industries, issues, and identities to make progress a reality. 

“In uncertain times, the NLC experience empowers leaders to move beyond reacting to challenges and instead step forward to shape the future with clarity and conviction,” said Karen Pandy-Cherry, Acting President and CEO. 

Pandy-Cherry continued, “By fostering community connections, providing transformative tools, and amplifying the voices of those closest to the issues, we prepare changemakers to create bold, lasting solutions. At New Leaders Council, we are not just responding to the moment; we are shaping it.”

Learn more about the 2025 NLC Fellows here.

September 21, 2024

My journey with New Leaders Council began in 2017 when I attended the inaugural fundraiser of our founding board. Inspired by the organization’s mission, I applied and was accepted into the first Columbus cohort in 2018. This experience was transformative, clarifying my values and goals while connecting me with exceptional fellow leaders who became close friends and allies in our shared vision for our community.

Post-fellowship, I embraced various leadership roles within NLC:

Now, I am deeply humbled and honored to step into the role of interim Board Chair, with the exceptional Rhianon DeLeeuw as interim Vice-Chair. My primary goal in this position is to ensure NLC’s continued success by providing our chapters and programs with the essential resources, structures, and support to train another 13,000 alumni.

New Leaders Council is a catalyst for profound social transformation. We are dedicated to training a new generation of leaders who will change the world. By connecting these visionaries and nurturing our grassroots movement, we strive to create a society rooted in our core values:

The work of our fellows resonates daily in communities across the nation, advancing our shared values and vision for a brighter future. Together, we will continue to build a powerful network of leaders committed to positive change and social progress.

We hope you will consider joining the NLC National Board as we work to expand the impact our NLC Network has in communities across the network. You can submit yourself or a suggestion (within and outside the NLC Network) here.