The Chicago Urban League is excited about its call for applications for the 13th class of its competitive IMPACT Leadership Development Program open through May 1. This upcoming 13th year for the future nine-month program pairs mid-to-senior-level professionals in Chicago with executive mentors and a curriculum built around contemporary civic issues that equip fellows with the leadership skills required to advance their careers while driving impact across the city. So, if youre reading this now, note; Its not too late to apply. Interested? Get on it now, do not procrastinate (See link below).
Mid-to-Senior Professionals Have Until May 1 to Apply for the Fellowship That Has Developed Nearly 500 Chicago Leaders Since 2014
According to Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, Through the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, we are continuing to invest in the talent and leadership that already exists within our communities. Her passionate plea states, Chicagos future depends on strong, connected leaders who are prepared to drive meaningful change, and IMPACT is helping to build that pipeline.
Executive Director of IMPACT & Senior Vice President of Leadership Programming and Philanthropy at the Chicago Urban League states As a native Chicagoan and IMPACT alumna, I can confidently say this program changed the trajectory of my career. And Kafi Moragne-Patterson, Executive Director of IMPACT & Senior Vice President of Leadership Programming and Philanthropy at the Chicago Urban League, said, This opportunity will strengthen your career, grow your network, and move Chicago forward all at once.
The Chicago Urban League announced its 12th class of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program in 2025, welcoming 46 fellows who represent a broad range of professions and backgrounds. Each fellow was nominated by their employer and selected through a rigorous application process.
IMPACT gave me the network, confidence, and leadership skills I needed to advance into executive leadership, said Jennifer Hodges. The relationships I built as a member of the 4th cohort profoundly expanded my network and continue to open doors for me today.
Chicago News Weekly is proud to announce that contributing writer, the brilliant Mila Marshall, PH.D, was an IMPACT Fellow and emerged from the program so grounded and rooted even more in her lane which she already owned.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This year the program will begin in September 2026, and is structured around monthly, full-day sessions led by prominent academics, subject matter experts, and industry leaders. Each selected fellow is paired with an executive mentor who provides personalized guidance on professional development, work-life balance, and board engagement. Throughout the program, fellows also complete a series of leadership assessments designed to help them better understand how their current habits can either support or hinder their professional growth.
With the inaugural class launching in 2014, the IMPACT Leadership Development Program has assembled 12 cohorts, each comprising some of the most talented professionals in Chicago. The program was created by Andrea Andy Zopp, J.D., former CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Zopp recognized an opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders to serve Chicago and has continued to serve as a mentor for various cohorts over the programs 12-year existence.
Over the past decade, IMPACT has cultivated a network of nearly 500 alumni who now shape Chicagos civic, corporate and nonprofit landscapes. Notable alumni include: Garth Walker, M.D., State Representative Kam Buckner, Constance CJ Jones, and Aldermen Lamont Robinson and William Hall many others
To submit your application to join the 13th class of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, apply here.