Global Leadership FellowsÂ
Shaping Atlanta's Future
Global perspectives.
Local leadership.
Lasting impact.
Global Leadership Fellows is the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s flagship program and the city’s first international fellowship connecting emerging leaders across business, government, and civil society.
At a Glance
THE PROGRAM
6
Full-day
Master Classes
10
Months of Learning
1
InternationalÂ
Immersion
125
Professional Development Hours
THE NETWORK
85+
SpeakersÂ
Annually
17
Host institutions since 2025
THE COMMUNITY
12
Fellows in the 2028 cohort
3
Alumni cohorts
Cross-sector learning
Learn alongside peers from business, government and civil society
Access to senior leaders
Sit across the table from executives, diplomats, policymakers and community leaders.
Lasting connections
Build relationships with your cohort, program partners and a growing GLF alumni network.
Applied learning
Case studies, moderated discussion and leadership coaching that turn insight into skills you practice.
Leadership beyond boundaries
Today's most pressing challenges don't sit inside a single industry, institution or country. Neither should leadership development.
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Fellows learn to think beyond their own field, work through complexity and bring a wider lens to the decisions in front of them.
THE GLF EXPERIENCE
Six pillars. One connected world.
Fellows take part in six full-day Master Classes, hosted by a leading Atlanta institution and built around one of the forces shaping how the world works.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Explore global power, international relations and diplomacy.
Capital
See how financial, human and social capital drive growth and opportunity.
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International Business
Examine what moves global markets and how organizations manage risk across borders.
Civil Society
Discover how communities, nonprofits and grassroots movements drive change.
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Technology
Examine how emerging technologies transform economies and societies, and what responsible innovation requires.
Governance & Policy
Understand how local, national and global institutions make decisions that shape communities.
INTERNATIONAL IMMERSION
Where global ideas come to life
A cornerstone of the program, the weeklong immersion takes Fellows abroad for site visits, expert briefings, and cultural exploration.
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Through meetings with multinational companies, government institutions, diplomats, and civil society organizations, Fellows gain firsthand insight into how global challenges are navigated and addressed around the world.
Past Immersions
Berlin, Germany
Diplomacy, governance, and international relations
Site visits included:
U.S. Embassy in Berlin, German Marshall Fund, Capgemini, Enpal, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, The Coca-Cola Company
International business, innovation, and global trade.Â
Hamburg, Germany
Site visits included:
Aurubis AG, Airbus, ZAL Tech, Joachim Herz Stiftung, Hamburg Port Authority, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg Town Hall
Stuttgart, Germany
Automotive innovation, advanced manufacturing, and global industry
Site visits included:
Mercedes-Benz Museum, ZF Group, Baden-Württemberg International, Grant Thornton
FELLOWS
Diverse perspectives.Â
Shared purpose.
GLF brings together emerging leaders from across metro Atlanta's business, government and civil society sectors.
Shy Mahagaonkar, Flourish Research
2026 Global Leadership Fellow
"I am truly inspired by how the Global Leadership Fellows program empowers aspiring leaders in Georgia to tackle challenges and create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond. The thoughtfulness behind this initiative, and the dedication to equipping these leaders with a global outlook, is both admirable and deeply motivating. It is inspiring to see leadership embraced not just as a position, but as a platform for meaningful, lasting impact with a global perspective."
Edward Wang , Georgia State University
2027 Global Leadership Fellow
"I was drawn to the Global Leadership Fellows program because it connects the global with the local in a way few programs do. It lets me learn directly from leaders in government, diplomacy, business and the nonprofit sector who navigate these forces in real time, here in Atlanta. Above all, I see GLF as a multiplier. Everything I gain will flow back to the hundreds of students I teach and mentor each year, the next generation of Atlanta’s global leaders."
"What has inspired me most about the GLF program is that it has met the high expectations I brought into it. I anticipated that it would bring me closer to a cohort of thoughtful, ambitious, energetic leaders who are open to being shaped and refined through experience with one another and through exposure to the topics discussed and the inspiring instructors of the master classes. GLF has not disappointed, and I am excited to be a part of it now as a fellow and for years to come as a GLF alum."
Jared Evans, Atlanta City Council
2026 Global Leadership Fellow
"I’m honored to be part of an organization committed to making meaningful contributions—not just to our county or state, but to how Atlanta can engage with the world. This experience has been phenomenal. We’ve learned from Ambassador Young, members of The Carter Center, and countless other leaders. The knowledge and resources shared have far exceeded any other leadership program I’ve been part of. I’m incredibly grateful to the Council for making this inaugural experience one of the best I’ve ever had."
Maranie Brown, BlackRock
2025 Global Leadership Fellow
Brian Manns, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
2026 Global Leadership Fellow
"The International Immersion matters for emerging global leaders because it develops cultural intelligence, builds adaptability to new or evolving situations, and provides first-hand insights into another country's market. It fosters essential skills like navigating diverse teams, enhancing communication, and accelerating the ability to solve complex, real-world problems."
SPONSORS
Hosted by Atlanta's leading institutions
Allison Padilla-Goodman
CEO;Â Giving Kitchen
Civil Society
Paige Alexander
CEO; The Carter Center
Governance & Policy
John K. Tien
Former Deputy Secretary; U.S. Deparment of Homeland Security
Governance & Policy
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Gen. Phillip M. Breedlove
NATO's Commander, Supreme Allied Command, Europe
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Louise Blais
Former Ambassador to the United Nations
Cristina Falcone
VP, Corporate Affairs; UPS
Jonathan "Rocky" Rief
Vice President, Global Public Policy; The Coca-Cola Company
International Business
International Business
Technology
Marc Balizer
Managing Director and Co-Head BlackRock Atlanta; BlackRock
Amb. Andrew J. Young
Former Ambassador to the U.N.;
Former Mayor of Atlanta
Jim Reed
President, Americas Region; YKK Corporation of America
Capital
Chris Crist
Chief Information Officer; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Technology
Capital
Jonathan Reckford
CEO;Â Habitat for Humanity International
Civil Society
SPEAKERS
Learn from the people shaping the world
Each year, more than 85 executives, diplomats, policymakers and community leaders join Fellows in the room to share how they lead through global challenges.
APPLY
Your journey starts here
If you lead with a global mindset and want to help shape Atlanta's future as an international hub, we encourage you to apply.
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Check eligibility
8–15 years of professional experience, leadership potential, and a commitment to global learning.Â
Understand the committment
Review the Master Class calendar, immersion dates, in-person attendance policy and $500 participation fee.
Prepare your materials
Prepare your application materials:
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Application Form
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Resume
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Responses to five (5) short-answer questions
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Two (2) letters of recommendation
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Signed Applicant Participation Form
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Signed Supervisor Approval Form
Submit your application
Applications close on March 28, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Incomplete and late applications are not accepted.
Selection
A Selection Committee reviews every complete application. All applicants hear back by email in August, whatever the outcome.
KEY DATES
Applications open
January 4, 2027
Applications close
March 28, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
DOCUMENTS
GLF Program Brochure
GLF 2028 Calendar
Applicant Participation Form
Supervisor Approval Form
LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants are required to answer five short answer questions at 200-300 words each.Â
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1. Leadership: Describe a time you demonstrated leadership. What were your key achievements and challenges, and how did your leadership style shape the outcome?
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2. Global perspective: What do you believe are the most critical global issues today, and how should leaders address them?
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3. Contribution: What unique perspectives or experiences can you bring to the program?
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4. Goals and knowledge sharing: What skills or knowledge do you hope to gain, and how will you share them with your organization or community?
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5. Open ended: Share anything else that would help the Selection Committee assess your qualifications.
The Global Leadership Fellows program runs for 10 months and includes 125 development hours. In-person attendance is required at orientation, all six Master Classes, the one-week international immersion and graduation. Other cohort events and networking opportunities are optional, so you can join as your schedule allows.
No. Some Fellows already work internationally; others are just starting to. What matters is an interest in global issues and a desire to bring a global perspective to your career and community.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and funders, most program costs are covered for every Fellow, including Master Classes, leadership coaching and a travel grant for the international immersion. Fellows pay a non-refundable $500 participation fee after accepting the invitation, plus any travel expenses the grant doesn’t cover (see below).
Included
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Partial round-trip international airfare from Atlanta, including taxes and fees; Fellows cover the remaining cost (upgrades are not covered; airfare bought with miles is not eligible for cash reimbursement).
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Overnight lodging during the program
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Local ground transportation for itinerary activities
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Group meals scheduled on the itinerary
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Admission to museums and tours on the itinerary
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Not included
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Meals, snacks and drinks outside scheduled group meals
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Activities and transportation not on the itinerary
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Airport transfers
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Tips, incidentals and personal purchases
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Travel insurance
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Visa fees, if required
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Details on reimbursement, health and safety, visas and cultural considerations are shared with accepted Fellows.
Decisions are shared in August. Every applicant hears back, whatever the outcome.
Graduates join the GLF alumni network, with ongoing events, giving opportunities and a role in welcoming future cohorts.
Become a Global Leadership Fellow
Questions? Email wacatl@gsu.edu.