The Fellows Program

 
 

Extraordinary people.
Transformative year.

For thirty-eight years, ALF Oregon has carefully curated a diverse cross-sector cohort of established leaders from across the state for a one-of-a-kind leadership development experience.

Old ways of being, doing and problem-solving are no longer working. Information is coming at us faster and faster, and we are living through multiple “once in a generation” disruptions.

ALF was built for this moment—where leaders of companies, organizations, communities, and movements convene and commit to individual reflection, ground-breaking dialogues and co-creating new ways of being and doing that serve the greater good. Through the ALF Fellows experience, leaders reach outside of their professional training and networks to explore stories and strategies that raise our collective consciousness, deepen empathy and expand our ability to see, feel and lead in this new paradigm.

 

2025-2026 FELLOWS PROGRAM BOOKLET

Learn more about ALF Oregon’s Fellows Program, including requirements, schedule, tuition, and curriculum.

Selection Process

All candidates must be nominated by a Senior Fellow or a current Fellow. The selection of each class of ALF Fellows is based on building a very broad range of leadership, reflecting the social, ethnic, racial, gender, geographic, political, religious and work sector diversity of the state as much as possible.

American Leadership Forum Fellows are selected on the basis of the following specific criteria:

  • Outstanding Leadership and Potential
    Participants must have demonstrated leadership ability. A pattern should exist which would indicate that an acceptance of the responsibilities of leadership will continue through life.

  • Professional Stature
    Fellows Program candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their excellence in, or contributions made, to their profession, occupational field or community.

  • Influence
    Candidates will be sought who have spheres of influence and constituencies they can bring to the process of building community in the state of Oregon.

  • Integrity
    Candidates should demonstrate high standards of personal and public honesty, ethics, and worthiness of public trust.

  • Commitment
    Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to serving others. Their personal objectives should reflect a concern for the future of Oregon communities and the nation.

  • Creativity
    Each candidate should show, professionally and/or through civic involvement, creativity in identifying and building opportunities and in solving problems.

  • Initiative
    Each candidate should have demonstrated leadership ability in situations where personal initiative was critical to the creation of an opportunity or the solution of a problem.

  • Capacity to Commit Attendance to the Program
    Each Fellow is expected to attend and actively participate in all program sessions unless prevented from doing so by an emergency.

 
 

Nomination Process

Who should be nominated to the American Leadership Forum of Oregon?

Fellows are chosen based on their demonstrated leadership ability and potential, influence in the state, integrity, commitment, creativity, and initiative. To the extent possible, each class of 25-28 Fellows reflects the many diverse elements in the state.

Who can nominate?

All Senior Fellows and Fellows currently in the program can nominate potential fellows.

What is the time commitment required to participate?  

Each class commences with a full day orientation session in August, followed by a week long community building program in September. Scheduled monthly seminars are held October through May. These convenings will occur on Thursday afternoon / evening through Friday late afternoon. Your travel time on the first day will depend on the distance between where you live, and where we are convening.

How much does the program cost?

Tuition is $12,800 for the year. Once invited, $2800 deposit is due by June 15th to participate. There are many ways this tuition can be realized. It is often covered, in part or in total, by professional development funds from the Fellow’s employer. Sometimes funds are donated by the individual who nominated the Fellow. There are often foundation funds available for leaders from historically underserved communities. Travel to monthly session sites, as well as accommodations while there, are the responsibility of each participant. If tuition is a potential barrier for you, please contact ALF Oregon’s Executive Director, Sarah Greenman at sarah@alfo.org.

When will ALF issue invitations for the upcoming cohort?

Nominees will be notified in April or May regarding the status of their application.

What important dates do I need to know? 

  • Nomination for 2025-26 outreach begins: November 2024

  • Nominations deadline: February 1, 2025

  • All candidates will be notified by April or early May 2025 for the next class