emerging leaders

The Milbank Memorial Fund’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a 10-month leadership development program for early and mid-career legislative and executive branch state, large-county, and large-city government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.

Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Program provide participants with opportunities to:

  • Develop practical, applied leadership skills and personal insights that will enhance their capacity to improve population health
  • Partner with colleagues from states across the country, who have different life experiences, professional expertise, and cultural norms than their own
  • Expand their network of colleagues, both from within the cohort and broader Milbank State Leadership Network
  • Access and apply evidence, best practice, and experience to their work as state leaders and health policy decision makers

Seize New Opportunities

Convened by Milbank Memorial Fund in partnership with a nationally recognized expert in leadership development, ELP sessions feature guest faculty who bring experience and insight into state policymaking. The Fund invites up to 24 participants and cover all costs of sessions and materials, including three in-person meetings.

Become an Emerging Leader

Applications for the 2025-26 cohort are now open.

Apply Now

“A Network of Colleagues You Can Learn From”

  • “We are looking for people who are dedicated to population health. We are looking for dedicated, driven, curious people who can approach conversations with humility and with an expectation of each other of really pushing each other to the next level. “

    Morgan McDonald
    Morgan McDonald

    Program Leader

  • “By far the people I’ve gotten to meet through this is the most valuable thing, and those are relationships that I want to cherish for hopefully the rest of my career.”

    Tade Mengesha

    Manager, Integrated Fiscal Strategy, MassHealth

Featured Emerging Leaders

See All Emerging Leaders

Zakiya Summers-Harlee 

State Representative, Mississippi  

Michelle Taylor 

Director-Health Officer, Shelby County Health Department, Tennessee