CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 13TH CLASS OF IMPACT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 13TH CLASS OF IMPACT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Mid-to-Senior Professionals Have Until May 1 to Apply for the Fellowship That Has Developed Nearly 500 Chicago Leaders Since 2014

CHICAGO — The Chicago Urban League (CUL) announced that applications for the 13th class of its competitive IMPACT Leadership Development Program are open through May 1. Now in its 13th year, the nine-month program pairs mid-to-senior-level professionals in Chicago with executive mentors and a curriculum built around contemporary civic issues, equipping fellows with the leadership skills required to advance their careers while driving impact across the city.

“Through the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, we are continuing to invest in the talent and leadership that already exists within our communities,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “Chicago’s future depends on strong, connected leaders who are prepared to drive meaningful change, and IMPACT is helping to build that pipeline.”

“As a native Chicagoan and IMPACT alumna, I can confidently say this program changed the trajectory of my career,” said Kafi Moragne-Patterson, Executive Director of IMPACT & Senior Vice President of Leadership Programming and Philanthropy at the Chicago Urban League. “This opportunity will strengthen your career, grow your network, and move Chicago forward — all at once.”

The Chicago Urban League announced its 12th class of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program in 2025, welcoming 46 fellows who represent a broad range of professions and backgrounds. Each fellow was nominated by their employer and selected through a rigorous application process.

“IMPACT gave me the network, confidence, and leadership skills I needed to advance into executive leadership,” said Jennifer Hodges. “The relationships I built as a member of the 4th cohort profoundly expanded my network and continue to open doors for me today.”

The program, which will begin in September 2026, is structured around monthly, full-day sessions led by prominent academics, subject matter experts, and industry leaders. Each selected fellow is paired with an executive mentor who provides personalized guidance on professional development, work-life balance, and board engagement. Throughout the program, fellows also complete a series of leadership assessments designed to help them better understand how their current habits can either support or hinder their professional growth.

With the inaugural class launching in 2014, the IMPACT Leadership Development Program has assembled 12 cohorts, each comprising some of the most talented professionals in Chicago. The program was created by Andrea “Andy” Zopp, J.D., former CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Zopp recognized an opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders to serve Chicago and has continued to serve as a mentor for various cohorts over the program’s 12-year existence.

Over the past decade, IMPACT has cultivated a network of nearly 500 alumni who now shape Chicago’s civic, corporate and nonprofit landscapes. Notable alumni include: Garth Walker, M.D., State Representative Kam Buckner, Constance “CJ” Jones, and Aldermen Lamont Robinson and William Hall.

To submit your application to join the 13th class of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, apply at https://thechicagourbanleague.formstack.com/forms/impact_application_2027.



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