Learn more about LeadBoston.

What are the benefits for the sponsoring employers?

Employers likewise benefit from their employees’ participation in LeadBoston, as the program:

  • Equips leaders with the skills needed to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organization
  • Strengthens leaders’ ability to understand stakeholders’ needs, solve challenging problems, and make better business decisions
  • Broadens organizational access to key leaders, institutions, and professional contacts via the powerful LeadBoston network
  • Rewards high-potential individuals and prepares them for greater leadership responsibilities

Nominating an employee for LeadBoston gives organizations the opportunity to make Boston a better place to live, work, and thrive. Employers who sponsor participants will benefit from increased employee engagement and loyalty.

Your organization will be in good company, joining these civic-minded organizations that sponsor LeadBoston participants:

American Heart Association
Biogen
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Police Department
Boston Public Schools
Boston Red Sox
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Bunker Hill Community College
City of Boston
City Year
Deloitte
Eastern Bank
Eaton Vance
Goodwin Procter, LLP
Holland & Knight, LLP
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
LeClairRyan
Massachusetts General Hospital
MBTA Transit Police
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
National Grid
Neighborhood Health Plan
Reebok
Santander Bank
State Street Corporation
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department

Who participates in LeadBoston?

Since 1991, LeadBoston has competitively selected more than 1,000 individuals as LeadBoston participants. Representing the gamut of Boston’s professional, racial, ethnic, faith, and gender diversity, LeadBostonians are typically leaders with 15 to 30 years of experience and who have the ability to influence change within their organization. Participants are sponsored and financially supported by their employers. LeadBoston is not an introductory workforce training program, and participants are required to have professional experience prior to participation.

See profiles of the current LeadBoston class.

Download the full LeadBoston information package.

What is the structure of the program?

Curriculum elements and topics:

  • Orientation
  • Advance
  • Class & Poverty
  • Education
  • Exploring Boston’s Neighborhoods
  • Immigration
  • Environmental Justice
  • Healthcare
  • Housing & Transportation
  • Arrest & Prosecution
  • Incarceration & Re-entry
  • Leadership Commitments
  • Graduation

What is the employer’s commitment?

Employers support their employees’ participation by allowing them time to fully engage in program days, encouraging the development and implementation of an action plan, staying responsive to subsequent action plan follow-up, and covering the cost of participation. There is a $2,750 – $9,000 sliding scale fee based on sector and size of the participant’s employer. Flexible payment plans are available. Apply by September 9, 2022 for early consideration and admission to the class.

Participants are also expected to contribute a $300 personal tuition. All fees and tuition are non-refundable. Flexible payment plans are negotiable upon request.

How and when should my employee apply?

Leaders can apply for LeadBoston through our website right now. The application form consists of personal and demographic questions, and will ask you about your leadership philosophy and reasons for applying to LeadBoston. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis and are encouraged to apply early as admission is competitive. Applications for the Class of 2023 open July 13, 2022.

Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with a LeadBoston alum. The interview is a great way for us to get to know applicants and for them to learn more about the program.

Due no later than 5 business days after the interview is the employer commitment form. The form states that the employer will support participation in LeadBoston and finance the participant’s tuition. Applicants receive the employee commitment form after filling out a LeadBoston application.

 

Refer a leader

Do you think a leader at your organization would be a great fit for LeadBoston? Please make a referral! Simply provide their contact information and we will follow up.