Check out our new 55er Tribute page to watch a special message from one of our 55ers and our tribute slideshow.
55er Tribute Page
Check out our new 55er Tribute page to watch a special message from one of our 55ers and our tribute slideshow.
55er Tribute Page
Learn to Lead with Purpose.
Princeton AlumniCorps’ Emerging Leaders professional development program is designed to help mid-career leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors develop the leadership capabilities, management skills, and confidence to advance their professional contributions and accelerate their careers.
Since 2011, more than 400 nonprofit managers from Washington D.C. to New York City have enriched their civic leadership through Princeton AlumniCorps’ Emerging Leaders program.
Princeton AlumniCorps partnered with Hilary Joel, of WJ Consulting, as the Founding Lead Facilitator, to design and deliver a professional development curriculum accommodating to rising leaders working full-time at nonprofit organizations.
The program is an 8 month commitment, with the cohort meeting once a month for a full day of engagement, collaboration, and learning. Emerging Leaders requires employer cooperation as participants will need support to attend all 8 weekday sessions with minimal disruption. Additionally, the program is designed to be experiential, allowing participants to apply their knowledge and skills to their work through hands-on activities and a required Stretch Project, which develops an individual's strengths through completion of an organizational project outside an individual’s normal job responsibilities.
For the 2025-2026 program year, AlumniCorps seeks to admit 16 working professionals to our Emerging Leader cohort in our New York City.
“Emerging Leaders creates a space for you to understand the potential you have as a leader and the kind of change you are capable of making through that leadership, and then helps you to tap into that.”
Rimie Marandy, EL’ 24
Curriculum
The Emerging Leaders program focuses on developing individual leadership strengths and capacities, building resilience and the ability to adapt to the ever-shifting nonprofit landscape. With personal growth at its core, the program yields tangible, near-term value to participants (and their employers) and supports their longer-term leadership development. The curriculum structure blends facilitated training and peer-group learning with experiential activities, personalized assessments, guest speakers from the social impact field, and on-the-job assignments. Some of the formative topics covered within the curriculum include:Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, and Self-ManagementRelationship-Building, Leading others, and Effective CommunicationBuilding an Equitable and Anti-Racist OrganizationStorytelling and Presentation SkillsUnderstanding Nonprofit Financial Management and Performance MetricsDeveloping your Leadership Style and Career Path“The Emerging leaders program truly allowed me to hone in on my strengths and areas to improve on to better serve my team and organization as a whole.”Kathleen Bossio, EL’ 23
Lead Facilitator
Jayson Council (LinkedIn)
Jayson Council has spent the past twenty years working to strengthen the nonprofit social and educational sector through strategic development, Board recruitment, relationship building, fundraising, and – above all – the power of opportunity. Jayson has held senior leadership positions at a number of high-impact community-based organizations including Philip’s Education Partners, Horizons, Posse Foundation, Robinson Harris Foundation, and Project G.R.A.D., as well as administrative and teaching roles at Columbia University, Rutgers University, University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University.Today, Jayson leads a consulting practice focused on guiding individuals and institutions through the complex and critical landscape of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI); political, corporate & social responsibility (PCSR); and purpose-driven philanthropy. With a deep understanding of the corporate, academic and nonprofit worlds as well as of the cultural and social movements, Jayson has a unique ability to create understanding and develop forward-looking approaches.In order to remain active in the thought-leading literature on his areas of impact, Jayson also serves as Associate Faculty at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies where his graduate-level courses taught include: Diversity, Equality & Inclusion for Nonprofits, Social Purpose Business, Grant Writing, Marketing & Communication for Nonprofits, and Ethics. Jayson received a BA in History from Virginia State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Robert Morris University, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey with his wife, Aja, and their sons, Jennings & Jake. Jayson can be described as innovative, centered, and unapologetic.“Jayson was phenomenal. His energy, spirit, and authenticity was unmatched. He offered a lot of professional and personal insights in such a meaningful way.”Rhonda Abel, EL’ 24
Cohort Model
Our facilitated program focuses on developing individual leadership strengths and capacities, as well as building resilience and the ability to adapt to the ever-shifting nonprofit landscape. We believe that learning is strengthened when it occurs in community - learning with and from peers to connect program content with personal and professional experience. Each year, we admit 16 working professionals into our New York City cohort. Upon successful completion of the program, they join a program alumni network of hundreds of Princeton AlumniCorps Emerging Leaders.“Connections made during Emerging Leaders are built to last. The experience of connecting with peers and watching them grow over 8 months was not only exciting, but inspired me to take the lead in my own career journey.”Colleen Coyne, EL’ 24
Stretch Projects
The program aims to make the most of on-the-job opportunities to apply and enrich the in-session learning time. There is a required Stretch Project—which involves responsibilities and skills that are beyond a participant’s comfort zone—offering a targeted professional development opportunity.Stretch Projects do not need to be extremely time-consuming. The effort level and focus may vary substantially. They should complement the participant’s leadership growth while benefiting their organization. Participants will be asked to outline the project objectives and report on their results and learning.Example Stretch Projects include the following:Develop and manage the plan and budget for a particular project or event.Prepare and deliver several presentations to colleagues, donors, policy influencers or stakeholders (to practice presentation skills).Develop and deliver new staff training, or design and foster the adoption of new operating procedures that improve organizational effectiveness.Plan and lead cross-functional working sessions focused on specific issues (to practice leading meetings and driving group decisions and collaboration).Manage a collaborative project that involves at least one external partner organization (to practice influence without authority).“The program has developed my confidence by helping to normalize conversations around professional and personal growth. This translated well to the workplace, where I saw myself become a better advocate for myself and others. My stretch project offered a great opportunity for me to bring visibility to the work that I do, and helped me connect with my team at large, including members of senior leadership.”Kenny Jean, EL’ 24
The Emerging Leaders program focuses on developing individual leadership strengths and capacities, building resilience and the ability to adapt to the ever-shifting nonprofit landscape. With personal growth at its core, the program yields tangible, near-term value to participants (and their employers) and supports their longer-term leadership development. The curriculum structure blends facilitated training and peer-group learning with experiential activities, personalized assessments, guest speakers from the social impact field, and on-the-job assignments.
Some of the formative topics covered within the curriculum include:
1. Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, and Self-Management
2. Relationship-Building, Leading others, and Effective Communication
3. Building an Equitable and Anti-Racist Organization
4. Storytelling and Presentation Skills
5. Understanding Nonprofit Financial Management and Performance Metrics
6. Developing your Leadership Style and Career Path
Jayson Council (LinkedIn)
Jayson Council has spent the past twenty years working to strengthen the nonprofit social and educational sector through strategic development, Board recruitment, relationship building, fundraising, and – above all – the power of opportunity. Jayson has held senior leadership positions at a number of high-impact community-based organizations including Philip’s Education Partners, Horizons, Posse Foundation, Robinson Harris Foundation, and Project G.R.A.D., as well as administrative and teaching roles at Columbia University, Rutgers University, University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Today, Jayson leads a consulting practice focused on guiding individuals and institutions through the complex and critical landscape of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI); political, corporate & social responsibility (PCSR); and purpose-driven philanthropy. With a deep understanding of the corporate, academic and nonprofit worlds as well as of the cultural and social movements, Jayson has a unique ability to create understanding and develop forward-looking approaches.
In order to remain active in the thought-leading literature on his areas of impact, Jayson also serves as Associate Faculty at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies where his graduate-level courses taught include: Diversity, Equality & Inclusion for Nonprofits, Social Purpose Business, Grant Writing, Marketing & Communication for Nonprofits, and Ethics. Jayson received a BA in History from Virginia State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Robert Morris University, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey with his wife, Aja, and their sons, Jennings & Jake. Jayson can be described as innovative, centered, and unapologetic.
“Jayson was phenomenal. His energy, spirit, and authenticity was unmatched. He offered a lot of professional and personal insights in such a meaningful way.”
- Rhonda Abel, EL’ 24
Our facilitated program focuses on developing individual leadership strengths and capacities, as well as building resilience and the ability to adapt to the ever-shifting nonprofit landscape. We believe that learning is strengthened when it occurs in community - learning with and from peers to connect program content with personal and professional experience. Each year, we admit 16 working professionals into our New York City cohort. Upon successful completion of the program, they join a program alumni network of hundreds of Princeton AlumniCorps Emerging Leaders.
“Connections made during Emerging Leaders are built to last. The experience of connecting with peers and watching them grow over 8 months was not only exciting, but inspired me to take the lead in my own career journey.”
- Colleen Coyne, EL’ 24
The program aims to make the most of on-the-job opportunities to apply and enrich the in-session learning time. There is a required Stretch Project—which involves responsibilities and skills that are beyond a participant’s comfort zone—offering a targeted professional development opportunity.Stretch Projects do not need to be extremely time-consuming. The effort level and focus may vary substantially. They should complement the participant’s leadership growth while benefiting their organization. Participants will be asked to outline the project objectives and report on their results and learning.
Example Stretch Projects include the following:
“The program has developed my confidence by helping to normalize conversations around professional and personal growth. This translated well to the workplace, where I saw myself become a better advocate for myself and others. My stretch project offered a great opportunity for me to bring visibility to the work that I do, and helped me connect with my team at large, including members of senior leadership.”
- Kenny Jean, EL’ 24
These dates are subject to change. Applicants will receive notification of any adjustments promptly.
Please note that the following dates and events are subject to change.
To be selected for the Emerging Leaders program, applicants must meet the following criteria. If you believe you may be well-suited for the Emerging Leaders program, but do not see yourself reflected in these criteria, please contact our team at programs@alumnicorps.org.
Applicants should reside and/or be currently employed at nonprofit organizations that are based in the New York City Metro Area: New York City, North Jersey, Western Connecticut, and Eastern Pennsylvania.
Applicants should have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in the nonprofit or public service sector. Applicants must be currently employed at a nonprofit organization.
Applicants are required to have some level of direct people-management responsibilities that include the management of staff, interns, vendors, and/or volunteers.
Prospective Emerging Leaders should be available to attend each session throughout the program and have access to the internet and a computer. Princeton AlumniCorps does not offer program participants reimbursement for travel or commuting expenses.Additionally, there are activities which occur before and after sessions that all Emerging Leaders will be expected to participate in such as peer check-ins, written assignments, program evaluations, and 1-on-1 coaching with the program facilitator.
Application Fee: $50
2025-2026 Program Fees – Variable, Based on Organization Budget
Organization Budget:
Princeton AlumniCorps recognizes that many growing leaders in the nonprofit sector do not receive financial support for professional development opportunities. AlumniCorps is happy to collaboratively set up payment plans, in addition to our reduced self-pay rate below, to ensure our programming is broadly accessible.
Location: New York City (Hybrid)
These dates are subject to change. Applicants will receive notification of any adjustments promptly.
Program Dates: In-Person and Virtual
Onboarding Session: August 2025 – TBD
Session 1: September 2025 – in New York City
Session 2: October 2025 – in New York City
Session 3: November 2025 – in New York City
Session 4: December 2025 – Virtual (Zoom)
Session 5: January 2026 – Virtual (Zoom)
Session 6: February 2026 – Virtual (Zoom)
Session 7: March 2026 – in New York City
Session 8 & Closing Ceremony: April 2026 – in New York City
Applications for the 2025-2026 Emerging Leaders cohort will open in March 2025. To be considered for Emerging Leaders, applicants must submit a completed application which includes the following materials:
