Eligibility – Applicants must:

·      Demonstrated leadership in community.

·      Have an interest in furthering knowledge about Collier County and community leadership.

·      Commit to full participation in the Leadership Collier program.  The program requires a major time commitment; please be sure that you can make this commitment before applying.

Application Requirements:

• Submit your application electronically no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 4, 2025. Applications sent after this deadline will not be accepted for this year’s selection.
• If accepted, a headshot and 1-page biography will be requested and required.

Selection Process:

·      All applications will be reviewed by the Leadership Collier Selection Committee, of which staff are not a part of. Phone interviews may take place.

Time Table:

·      Select 2026 Class Participants. – Mid-Late May 2025

·      Notify all applicants in writing of the Selection Committee’s decision. – Late May/June 2025

·      Payment of tuition required upon acceptance and after invoice is sent.

·      Press releases announcing upcoming Leadership Collier Class participants – August/September 2025

Leadership Collier class size is limited. If you are not accepted into this class year you are encouraged to re-apply for upcoming Leadership Collier programs.

Expectation of Graduates

• Applicants to Leadership Collier will be expected to become active participants in advancing the community and making a positive contribution to Collier County post-graduation.
• Graduates are required serve as session chair for one of the following year’s Leadership Collier Class sessions (Class of 2026).
• Graduates are expected to attend the following Leadership Collier Class (Class of 2026) Kick-Off Reception and Graduation Ceremony (Final dates to be announced – typically 3rd week of September for Kick-Off Event and 3rd week of April for Graduation).
• Leadership graduates are expected to be active participants in the committees which make up the Alumni Association’s programs and activities throughout the year.
• The Leadership Collier Foundation strongly recommends becoming an annual financial contributor to the Leadership Collier Foundation to maximize your LCF experience to the fullest and strengthen the mission to continuously activate the potential of leaders in building a stronger Collier.

Upon Acceptance you will need to promptly:

• Confirm your participation.
• Assure you can commit to all program dates (listed don last page).
• Submit payment of the program tuition after receiving invoice.

I hereby commit that, if selected:

• I will use the knowledge acquired and the relationships developed in Leadership Collier for the good of our community by becoming, or continuing to be, actively engaged in civic and community affairs.
• I will attend all sessions listed in the program calendar (LAST PAGE), the Kick-Off, the Retreat, the Ending Critique, and the Graduation. I understand I may only miss one session day, and if I miss more, I will not be eligible for graduation and will not be refunded my tuition.
• I will serve as an active session chair for the Leadership Collier Class of 2026 (which takes place 2025-26).
• I will attend the Leadership Collier Class (Class of 2026) Kick-Off Reception and Graduation Ceremony (Final dates to be announced – typically 3rd week of September for Kick-Off Event and 3rd week of April for Graduation).
• I will be an active participant in the alumni committees which make up the Leadership Collier Alumni Association’s programs and activities throughout the year.
• I will support the Leadership Collier Foundation Alumni Association. The Leadership Collier Foundation strongly recommends becoming an annual financial contributor to the Leadership Collier Foundation to maximize your LC experience to the fullest and strengthen the mission to continuously activate the potential of leaders in building a stronger Collier.

Leadership Collier Class of 2026 SCHEDULE

Session times run approximately from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and may start earlier or run later. Some sessions require externships. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.