What is the San Diego Leadership Alliance?

• The San Diego Leadership Alliance (SDLA) is a local nonprofit dedicated to building progressive leadership in San Diego.
• The SDLA’s flagship program is the SDLA Institute, a six-month intensive skills and relationship-building program for progressive young professionals.
• The SDLA Institute includes the following elements:
  • Training on fundraising for politics and nonprofits
  • Policy analysis
  • Messaging and strategic communications
  • Life entrepreneurship
  • Political management
  • Mentorship opportunities
  • Networking events with local organizations

Who should apply for the SDLA Institute?

• The SDLA Institute is for progressive young professionals and emerging leaders.
• Institute Fellows have a demonstrated capacity to take risks and make meaningful change in the world around them.
• The SDLA Institute is not just for political professionals, but also for those in business, law, education, defense, and the non-profit and philanthropic sectors.
• Applicants should review the Institute schedule prior to applying, as all Fellows are expected to be present for the entirety of each Institute session.

How do I learn more about the SDLA?

• Visit our website at https://www.sdleadership.org/sdla-institute for the following information:
• Details on optional info-sessions for prospective applicants.
• Read about past Fellows, and past Institute programs.
• Sign up for the SDLA email distribution list.

How else can I help out the SDLA’s mission?

• To nominate candidates for the SDLA Institute, click here.
• Offer to be a mentor for a Fellow or serve on a committee of the SDLA Board of Directors
• Become a member at http://sdleadership.org.

Who runs the SDLA?

• The SDLA is a nonprofit, run by local volunteers.
• The San Diego Leadership Alliance is managed by two co-directors, Caryl Montero-Adams and Maria Gpe. Bojorquez-Gomez, as well as about 16 other board members.

How do I apply for the next SDLA Institute?

• Application opens in September of 2022. Return here for the application form in the fall. 
• DEADLINE: Applications are due by 11:59 PM on November 1, 2022.
• Applicants must be members of the SDLA ($30) to apply, and there is a $200 deposit to participate. The $200 deposit is returned to Fellows after they complete the Institute.

San Diego Leadership Alliance 2022 Institute Dates

• SESSIONS 1 & 2. Saturday & Sunday, January 22 & 23
  • Happy Hour to follow with Fellows only.
• SESSION 3. Saturday, February 5
• SESSION 4. Saturday, February 26
• SESSION 5. Saturday, March 5
• SESSION 6. Saturday, March 19
• SESSION 7. Saturday, April 9
• SESSION 8. Saturday, April 30
• SESSION 9. Saturday, May 14

FELLOWS FUNDRAISER. Mid-May 2021

• SESSION 10. Saturday, May 21
• SESSION 11. Sunday, May 22
• GRADUATION. Saturday, June 11

*All sessions run from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (except Session 8, which may start earlier and Graduation, which is usually scheduled for the afternoon).