Applications Are Now Open for the 2025 Leadership Institute! Take the next step in your leadership journey. Apply today and join a community of emerging leaders dedicated to making a difference.
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Leadership Institute

Empowerment and Skill Development

YLNI’s Leadership Institute empowers young professionals to forge meaningful connections within their community while honing essential career skills. Through interactive sessions, group activities, and personal reflection, participants develop expertise in areas such as effective communication, board stewardship, leadership strengths, workplace dynamics, and workplace inclusion and diversity. This comprehensive program spans four months, including a kick-off event, eight all-day workshops, and a celebratory graduation.

APPLY TODAY!

Applications Now Open!

Benefits

  • Become an active member of YLNI - all graduates receive a complimentary 1-year YLNI membership
  • Develop practical, real-world leadership skills
  • Learn from a diverse group of community leaders
  • Network with young professionals in a variety of fields & industries 
  • Complimentary to GFW's Leadership Fort Wayne
  • Join the YLNI Leadership Institute alumni network - since 2006, more than 500 local leaders have completed the YLNI Leadership Institute
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Tuition Cost

  • $750* for non-YLNI members
    • *subject to change
  • $600* for current YLNI members
    • *subject to change
  • Employers of emerging leaders are encouraged to sponsor their participation

Who Should Apply?

  • Members and non-members of YLNI
  • Emerging leaders and professionals
  • Potential leaders in corporate, nonprofit, education, and healthcare
  • Community volunteers
  • We find those ages 24-40 typically apply, but we encourage all who consider themselves a young leader to apply

Application Details

  • Applications open in December each year
  • Workshop dates will occur between February to May
  • Class size is limited; we do ask for authentic and well-thought-out responses, as well as current resume or CV, and letter of recommendation
  • Connect with us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest with YLNI
  • Submit your application when the submission period opens!
Applications Open In December!

2025 Class Schedule

Details (topics, location, parking, etc.) for each day will be shared with the class in advance of the program once the cohort is selected.

Eight all-day workshop sessions will be held at various venues in the Fort Wayne area weekdays between 8:30AM-4:00PM.

  • Kickoff - Thursday, February 13, 2025 (evening)
  • Workshop 1 - Friday, February 21, 2025
  • Workshop 2 - Friday, March 7, 2025
  • Workshop 3 - Thursday, March 20, 2025
  • Workshop 4 - Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Workshop 5 - Friday, April 25, 2025
  • Workshop 6 - Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Workshop 7 - Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Workshop 8 - Friday, May 30, 2025
  • Graduation - Thursday, June 5, 2025 (evening)
Contact Us

For more information or to answer any questions you may have, reach out to us!

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