CCWA offers two distinct programs for Northeast Ohio young professionals to develop global leadership skills & competencies: Global Ambassadors and LEADS, which will intersect in Fall 2024.

CCWA's LEADS program is an 8-week dynamic and interactive professional development course in Fall 2024. CCWA's Global Ambassadors program is a transformative year-long global leadership program for emerging leaders (August 2024-June 2025) centered around business, social, and policy issues that resonate with Northeast Ohio’s civic leadership.

Program details, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines for these two distinct programs are detailed below. Interested applicants may apply to both programs.

LEADS: Leadership, Exchange, and Diplomacy Scholars Program

During LEADS, local experts and international guest speakers and experts work with participants to explore their leadership styles, strengthen their global knowledge and competencies, and expand their understanding of the global economy, geopolitical trends, and management of global crises.

Learn more about this program and the coursework here: 2024 Cleveland LEADS Flyer.

Who is eligible?

LEADS is for early to mid-career professionals. Applicants should be under the age of 35 years old at the time of the application deadline; college and graduate students may apply.

What is the cost?

The program cost is $1,000. Thanks to foundation support, CCWA offers generous scholarships that cover $840 of the registration fee. Those that receive scholarships submit a $160 tuition fee for the 8-week course (16 hours of instruction).

How to apply?

Applications for the 2024 LEADS program have closed.

Global Ambassadors Program

The Global Ambassadors program is a transformative year-long global leadership program for emerging leaders in Northeast Ohio that explores opportunities and challenges for global cities. This is a competitive program that is designed to transform leading mid-career professionals into international ambassadors for Northeast Ohio.

Global Ambassadors will participate in CCWA’s LEADS global leadership program (see above). In addition, participants will participate in a series of dedicated roundtables focused on economic development, sustainability, and community building. The program culminates in an international study tour to Finland and Spain. Learn more about this program here: 2024 Global Ambassadors Flyer.

Who is eligible?

Global Ambassadors is for emerging leaders between the ages of 25-35 years old. CCWA will select participants based on applications and eligibility requirements, which are detailed in the flyer above.

What is the cost?

The program cost is $10,000. Thanks to foundation support, CCWA is able to offer near-full scholarships for selected Global Ambassadors. Participants from the non-profit sector receive priority for scholarships. Scholarship participants must submit a $460 tuition fee for the program. Participants may also apply to the program by paying the full program fee. Included for all participants is all pre- and post-departure programming in Cleveland (30 hours of instruction).

How to apply?

Applications for the 2024-2025 Global Ambassadors cohort have closed.

For more information on the Global Ambassadors and LEADS programs, please contact CCWA’s Director of Global Education, Elizabeth Colvin, at ecolvin@ccwa.org.