2026 Bridge Houston Fellowship Application Page

American Leadership Forum Houston / Gulf Coast

Bridge Houston Fellows Program
Application — Class of 2027

We are so excited to launch the Inaugural Cohort of the Bridge Houston Fellowship, and we are thrilled that you are taking part in our journey.

About This Application

The questions that follow ask for honest reflection on how you lead: where you've pushed barriers to get something done, what progress you're currently working toward, what's frustrating you enough to want a new approach, and how ready you are to test an idea before you know if it'll work.

We're looking for leaders working in education access, workforce development, or economic mobility — leaders who bring a clear vision and honest dissatisfaction with what isn't working, who are ready to test new approaches without knowing the outcome, who cross sectoral and organizational lines to get things done, and who have real support in place to fully show up for this commitment.

Important Details
  • After you submit, a copy of your application will be emailed to you for your records.
  • Deadline: Applications are due by November 30, 2026.
  • Notifications will be sent out between December 10–15, 2026.
  • Once selected, you'll be asked for a letter of support from a supervisor, board member, mentor, or issue expert.
  • The Bridge Houston Fellowship kicks off in March 2027.
Section 01

Applicant Contact Information

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter your preferred phone number.
Section 02

Professional Information

Please enter your title or position.
Please enter your organization name.
Please select your primary sector.
Section 03

Demographics

Section 04

Additional Demographics

Providing the information below is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. This information will only be used to determine whether our membership is reflective of the Houston community. This information will not be used as criteria for evaluation.
This information will remain confidential.
Section 05

Tell Us About Yourself

To support the thorough evaluation of your application, please provide as much detail and as many specific examples as possible. Vague or general statements are less helpful than specific anecdotes that illustrate how you lead, learn, and connect with others. This is your time to really showcase yourself — don't hold back!

Each response requires a minimum of 150 words.
Question 01
How have you demonstrated leadership in the areas of education access, workforce development, and economic mobility throughout your career (professionally, civically, locally, etc)?
0 words (150 minimum)
Question 02
In what ways have you pushed the boundaries of your organization, sector, geographic region, or professional norms to build relationships that created solutions or improved outcomes? Please provide a specific example.
0 words (150 minimum)
Question 03
Within your area of focus (education access / workforce development / economic mobility), what is the vision you are currently motivated by and working towards?
0 words (150 minimum)
Question 04
On a systemic level, what is your greatest frustration or challenge in achieving or improving outcomes in your work — and what's made you feel ready to approach it differently?
0 words (150 minimum)
Question 05
This fellowship will ask you to test ideas and co-create solutions before you know whether they'll work. Tell us about a time you did something similar in your own work — what you tried, what you learned, and what you'd do differently next time.
0 words (150 minimum)
Question 06
What Houston / Gulf Coast community or neighborhood do you represent in terms of your leadership?
Question 07
If you have previously participated in other leadership programs, what programs, and when did you participate?
Question 08
Do you serve on any boards? If yes, please list the organization, your role, and the time period of your involvement.
Section 06

Acknowledgements

Program Session Dates — Class of 2027

Opening Session: Friday, March 12, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Hill Country Retreat: Friday, April 23 – Sunday, April 25, 2027
Session 1: Friday, May 14, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Learning Journey: Saturday, June 5 – Saturday, June 12, 2027
Session 2: Friday, July 9, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Session 3: Friday, August 13, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Session 4: Friday, September 10, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Session 5: Friday, October 8, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Session 6: Friday, November 12, 2027  |  8am – 5pm
Session 7: Friday, December 10, 2027  |  8am – 5pm

Selection into the program represents a $15,500 investment in the professional development of each Fellow by our supporting partners, donors, and foundations. Upon receiving and accepting an invitation to join the ALF Bridge Houston class, each Fellow is expected to attend all program sessions unless prevented from doing so by an emergency.

If selected as a Bridge Houston Fellow, you will be required to submit a letter of support from a supervisor, board member, mentor, or issue expert affirming their support for your participation — including the program's mandatory session dates (March – December 2027).

By submitting this application, you affirm that all information provided is accurate and complete. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may not be considered. We look forward to learning more about your leadership.

Connect. Inspire. Transform.