The ALF Fellows Program
The ALF Fellows Program is a highly selective, executive-level leadership development and fellowship experience. It brings together leaders from across business, government, and the nonprofit sector into a trusted, cohort-based learning community. Fellows engage in a deep personal and collective leadership journey grounded in trust, reflection, and real-world civic context. Building on the Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership framework developed at Harvard Kennedy School as well as other emergent leadership frameworks, ALF prepares Fellows to lead in a complex, fast changing environment.
The year-long, cohort-based Fellowship is designed to strengthen Fellows’ capacity to address collective societal issues collaboratively and build a strong leadership network to mobilize for positive change in the community. The Fellowship includes immersive retreats in nature, facilitated dialogue, site visits, and reflective practice. Learning is grounded in real community challenges, not abstract theory.
HOW IT WORKS
Elevate your leadership journey, cultivating adaptive leadership skills to drive meaningful change and nurture strong, dynamic communities. The Fellows program year moves students through three levels that enables the co-creation of new possibilities.
How You Benefit
Gain new perspectives and innovative solutions to challenges
Through collaborative experiences, mindfulness and nature, thought-provoking dialogues, and deep self-reflection, you’ll develop a toolkit and the language needed to tackle issues from new angles and drive positive change in your community, organization, and beyond.
Develop self-awareness and the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of leadership
Leadership is risky. You’ll develop the skills needed to excel as a thoughtful, adaptive, and impactful leader, empowering yourself and others to make a lasting difference in your community and the world.
Connect with the ALF network
Becoming an ALF Fellow opens doors to our robust ecosystem of connections and resources. You’ll have the opportunity to tap into this extensive network, providing a fertile ground for collaboration, ongoing mentorship, and the exchange of ideas.
Senior Fellows Share Their Experiences
Arturo Chavez
Chairman
Nory Angel
President, American Leadership Forum
Anne Whitlock
Class XLII, Founding Director
INTERESTED IN BEING NOMINATED?
To be considered for the ALF Fellows Program, individuals must be nominated by two ALF Senior Fellows. We select ALF Fellows with the goal of representing the diverse leadership in Greater Houston, including social, ethnic, gender, geographic, political, religious, and work sector diversity.
Our Selection Committee reviews and ranks your nomination based on the following:
Leadership Experience
Perspective
Growth Mindset
Influence
Nominees must have demonstrated leadership excellence, have a unique perspective to share with a class, the ability to lean in to curiosity, and have a sphere of influence in which they can share and elevate the ALF way of leading.
Nomination FAQ
For Candidates (Nominees):
How do I get nominated for the ALF Fellows Program?
The ALF Fellows Program is by nomination only. To be considered, you must be nominated by two ALF Senior Fellows (graduates of the program).
What happens after I am nominated?
Once a Senior Fellow submits a nomination on your behalf, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to complete your application. Your application must be submitted for the nomination to be considered complete and eligible for review by the ALF Selection Committee.
What is the Selection Committee looking for in an ideal Fellow?
We seek senior and emerging leaders with significant responsibility who are ready for a journey of self-reflection and learning alongside peers. Ideal candidates demonstrate integrity, curiosity, a dedication to growth, and a commitment to serving the common good—not advancing a single agenda.
When will I find out if I am selected?
The Selection Committee meets from summer through fall. Invitations are sent via email on a rolling basis starting in November and continue through the spring.
How long is my nomination valid?
Your nomination remains active for two full selection cycles (for example, for both the 2026 and 2027 cohorts). You do not need to be nominated again during this period.
If I’m not selected this year, but my nomination is still current, what does that mean?
Your nomination will remain active and be automatically reconsidered for the next cohort. No further action is needed from you unless you would like to update your application. If you wish to submit updated materials, please contact Shaina at shaina@alfhouston.org.
What happens if I am not selected within the two-year period?
If an invitation is not extended within two years, your nomination will expire. To be considered again, a new nomination must be submitted on your behalf by an ALF Senior Fellow.
Where can I learn more?
Download the Fellows Informational Booklet here.
Who should I contact with questions about my nomination?
Please reach out to Fellows Program Director, Shaina Holm.
For Senior Fellow Nominators:
How does someone become a candidate for the ALF Fellows Program?
Candidates must be nominated by two ALF Senior Fellows (graduates of the program) to be considered. One of those Senior Fellows submits the initial nomination through our online nomination form. Once the nominator submits their portion, the candidate receives an email notifying them of their nomination with instructions on how to complete their application. A nomination is only complete after both the nominator’s recommendation and the candidate’s application have been submitted.
What is the deadline for nominations?
All nominations for consideration for the next class are due by June 1 of the preceding year. For example, nominations for the 2027 class are due by June 1, 2026.
How often are new classes selected?
A new cohort of Fellows is selected annually to begin the program each May. Invitations are sent out on a rolling basis beginning in November of the preceding year.
What happens after I submit a nomination form?
You will receive an automatic email confirmation with a copy of your submitted information. The ALF Selection Committee will review all completed nominations. The candidate will then be automatically notified of their nomination with details on how to complete their application.
How long is a nomination valid?
A nomination remains active for two full selection cycles (for example, for both the 2026 and 2027 cohorts). If the candidate is not extended an invitation within that two-year period, the nomination expires and must be renewed.
What happens if my candidate is not selected within the two-year period?
If an invitation is not extended within two years, the nomination will expire. To have the candidate considered again, a new nomination must be submitted on their behalf.
Who should I contact with questions about a nomination?
Please reach out to Fellows Program Director, Shaina Holm.
