The Brilliant Leaders Fellowship invests in the professional development, social capital, healing, retention, and growth of local community nonprofit leaders. We know that visionary and courageous leadership is vital and is often lonely and exhausting. If selected, you will get the chance to step back from the day-to-day demands of your leadership role, meet with extraordinary peers who push your thinking and boundaries, set your sights on something even more significant than the work you do, and get the encouragement and support to pursue that vision.
The Brilliant Leaders Fellowship is a 12-month journey of thought-provoking reflection, inspiration, and intentional community building. We seek senior leaders of organizations in Kent County with inventive spirits, commitments to equity, and inclusive mindsets, who are on lifelong journeys to build their skills and understanding around justice, and ensure that families are at the center of change. While we seek cross-sector executive leaders supporting public education and family well-being, we will prioritize those with experience in:
- Alignment with the Steelcase Foundation’s mission and vision, and grant focus areas;
- Leading organizational teams;
- Reinventing and building systems of care, learning, and economic mobility for children, parents/caregivers, and families;
- Two-generation approaches that support the holistic development of children and their families across early childhood, K-12, postsecondary and employment pathways, health and well-being, and social capital;
- Storytelling and reframing narratives with the ability to break through noise, open hearts and minds, and build public and political will.
Each class is selected through a competitive application process. Fellows commit to participating in three Forums, bi-monthly small group check-ins, and two individual check-ins. In return, you get the space, inspiration, and support to think, dream, and build meaningful connections.
Important Application Dates:
- Application opens here: Tuesday, April 1 (PDF with question can be found here)
- (Optional) Info Session: Monday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. on Zoom (recording of the session can be found here)
- Application deadline: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Finalist notification: Friday, May 16, 2025
- Finalist virtual interviews: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 – Friday, June 6, 2025
- Fellowship notification and acceptance: Friday, June 13, 2025 (pending final board approval on July 11, 2025)
- Public announcement: by July 30, 2025
Important Fellowship Dates:
Lodging, food and travel are provided by the Foundation. Please note attendance at all dates is mandatory unless there is a family emergency or personal illness.
- Orientation (at Steelcase): Thursday, August 7, 2025, 3:30-4:30PM, with optional social mixer to follow
- Forum I (overnight travel): Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Friday, September 26, 2025
- Forum II (overnight travel): Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Friday, January 30, 2026
- Forum III (overnight travel): Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – Friday, June 5, 2026
If you are selected for the Fellowship, we will request a letter of support from your board chair or equivalent to ensure you have the necessary institutional support to maximize the Fellowship.
Questions? Contact Erika VanDyke at evandyk1@steelcase.com.
