leadership programs

Leadership Long Beach Institute

The 120+ hour Leadership Long Beach Institute program is offered annually from September through June. The program provides principled leadership development class sessions that focus on the pressing issues that face Long Beach.

Institute Sponsors

FAQs

Who should participate?

The Leadership Long Beach Institute is open to any adult who lives and/or works in the City of Long Beach. Through experiential learning and in-depth discussions, participants increase their knowledge of Long Beach. This program is ideal for participants who are interested in becoming integrated into an extensive network of professionals at every level in all sectors of Long Beach.

How will I benefit from participating?

The program explores current issues with key individuals and stakeholders, gaining knowledge and data to be able to make informed decisions going forward in their public, private, and nonprofit careers. The program will provide numerous opportunities to build connections and access a network of professionals and city leaders that would normally take years to cultivate.

What is the program/topic schedule?

The Institute program is designed to stay ahead of the dynamic needs of Long Beach, ensuring that our participants gain knowledge and skills that can be used to better serve our community.  Our sessions feature presentations and discussions with Long Beach leaders across all sectors, providing valuable insights and real-world perspectives.

 

All class sessions focus and reflect on our 14 Principles of Leadership: Integrity, Vision, Teamwork, Ethics, Compassion, Personal Responsibility, Respect, Accountability, Courage, Trusteeship, Service, Commitment, Congruence, and Values.

 

Class sessions are generally scheduled from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on a variable Thursday each month from September 2025 through June 2026. Classes are held in various locations throughout Greater Long Beach.

*September 18, 2025: Orientation and Welcome Reception 

*October 16, 2025: Pre-Retreat Day 

November 6, 2025: Public Safety Day

*November 20-22, 2025: Retreat (retreat location booked)

December 11, 2025: Nonprofit Day 

*January 17, 2026: MLK Day Parade

*January 19, 2026: MLK Day Projects

*January 29, 2026: Clas Project Deliberation

February 5, 2026: City Government Day combo with LLBI and YLLB 

March 5, 2026: Business Day

April 2, 2026: Arts and Culture Day

May 7, 2026: Education Day

June 4, 2026: Last Day and Graduation Reception

 (*) Indicates a required session for successful completion of the program

What are the class projects?

Participants will work in groups to create and implement a community project(s) that results in constructive benefit for the Long Beach community. These projects help to further develop our participants’ leadership through teamwork and community trusteeship. This will require engagement outside of the scheduled monthly sessions. Projects will be identified at a special class day session in late January. Then, participants are expected to gather information, collaborate with other classmates and meet with identified subject experts to deliver their project(s) before the program conclusion in June.

What is the cost?

$4,250

Leadership Long Beach has multiple scholarships available for program participants. Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship fund. Please complete the optional “Scholarship” section of the application to be considered for one of our scholarships. Only one scholarship will be awarded per eligible candidate; multiple scholarship awards will not be awarded to a single applicant. Scholarships awards range from $1000 – $2000.

What is the application process?

Up to 35 community leaders are accepted into the Institute each year. Each year candidates are considered individually and collectively to create a uniquely dynamic class that represents Long Beach demographics as best possible. Participants are selected to ensure as equal distribution as possible of representation from the nonprofit, civic, and private sectors.

Applications are accepted in May, June, and early July. Interviews are conducted virtually over Zoom in June and July. All applicants will be interviewed by a panel of Leadership Long Beach alumni volunteer for acceptance into the Institute program. All applicants will be contacted by email the week of August 18th, 2025 to learn their participation status.

The deadline to submit applications for consideration to become a part of the Leadership Long Beach Institute Class of 2026 is midnight on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Youth Leadership Long Beach

Youth Leadership Long Beach is a unique opportunity for 30+ high school students to join with emerging youth leaders from Long Beach to experience an environmentally focused commnity leadership program.

Youth Leadership Sponsors

Our youth program is tuition-free with the generous contributions of AES, the Bess J. Hodges Foundation, Edison International, the Katy Stone Memorial Fund, the Earl B. And Loraine H. Miller Foundation, and the Rudolph J. And Daphne A. Munzer Foundation.

faqs

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Orientation: Mid-October

Overnight Retreat: Mid-November

Class Meets: One Saturday each month from 8:30 AM – 4:30 P.M

From October – June.

Location: Each meeting will be held at a different location in Long Beach

Executive Leadership Series

The program is designed for executive leaders and aspiring executives of Long Beach organizations and companies.  The program size is kept small to provide more interaction and create meaningful discussions.

Executive Leadership Series Sponsors

FAQs

Who should participate?

The program is designed for executive leaders of Long Beach organizations and companies. The program’s group size is kept small to provide more interaction and create meaningful discussions.

How will I benefit from participating?

ELS provides relevant and meaningful information on Long Beach government, business, and community through presentations and discussions with leaders who are shaping the city’s future. The program provides an opportunity to build connections and access to a network of city leaders and professionals that would normally take years to cultivate.

What topics are covered during the year?

Orientation & Leadership Assessment

Building Teams Through Trust

Executive Communication Skills

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Selfcare and Wellness

What is the program schedule?

This cohort will meet once a week for four consecutive weeks. Class sessions will begin at 12 PM and conclude at 8 PM. Lunch and Dinner will be provided. Each session is held in a different location around Long Beach to help build connections throughout the community.

Thursday, May 2nd
Thursday, May 9th
Thursday, May 16 th
Thursday, May 23rd
Thursday, May 30th
 

The dinners provide additional opportunities for sharing, learning and connecting.

What is the cost?

$2,995

 

How do I apply?

Applications will close on April 17th

Please click on the button below and fill out the application form.  You will then be contacted by our staff for additional professional information and program payment.

Youth Environmental Leaders

Do you know a middle schooler who is passionate about saving the planet?  This program will engage students by exploring elements of environmental leadership and learning what they can do to advocate for a sustainable future!

Youth Leadership Sponsors

FAQs

Who should participate?

The program is designed for current middle school students that live or go to public or private schools in Long Beach. This program is eligible for students who are about to enter the 7th, 8th or 9th grade during the 2022-23 school year.

We are looking to bring in students who are interested in beginning their environmental leadership journey. Students do not have to excel in these areas but should show a deep interest in learning more about these topics.

How will I benefit?

The Youth Leadership Long Beach program is a unique opportunity for area high school students to join with emerging youth leaders from other schools to experience a group-training program based on principled leadership. It empowers youth to accept roles as community trustees and the importance of solving the community’s challenges through individual responsibility. In addition, this program aims highlight important role STEM fields play in our community.

What topics are covered during the workshop series?

This workshop series will provide students with a jumpstart in Environmental Education concepts and build leadership skills along the way.

Here are just a few of the topics this program covers!

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Green Jobs
  • Urban Agriculture
  • Plastics and Pollution
  • Leadership Strengths
  • Finding your Growth Zone
  • Nature in Long Beach
What is the program schedule?

This program will be offered twice during the summer of 2022

Cohort 1 August 16-19th

Cohort 2 August 23-26th

 

All Workshop Sessions are from 10 AM-2 PM

Note: Lunch is included

What is the cost?

There is no charge for the youth to participate in the program. The youth program is generously sponsored by community foundations, Leadership Long Beach alumni and other groups who value the the future leaders of our city. We take care to find students who are passionate and committed to the goals of this program; to improve themselves and Long Beach.

Leadership Long Beach Institute

Applications for our Institute Program are being accepted through midnight on Sunday, july 13, 2025.

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