Leadership Training · 2027–2028

Sterling Leadership Fellows

Elevate your leadership journey, boost organizational performance, experience applied learning, and connect with a learning network of visionary leaders.

Apply Overview & Benefits

The program

An Exclusive Community of Aspiring Leaders

Sterling Leadership Fellows is an exclusive opportunity for aspiring leaders to transform their management style, broaden their perspective on performance excellence, and develop impactful leadership skills to drive sustained excellence in their organizations.

The Sterling Fellows Curriculum encompasses 13 monthly sessions — a dynamic learning experience with virtual sessions, in-person workshops, and industry-leading insights.

The 2026 class of Sterling Leadership Fellows with their awards at the Sterling Leadership Conference

Why join

Overview and Key Benefits

Gain Exclusive Access

Integrate your executive learning journey with strategic events including the Sterling Leadership Conference and South Florida Summit.

Network with the Best

Connect with a curated cohort of elite, high-potential leaders and build lasting relationships with performance leaders across the Southeast.

Sharpen Your Skills

Master essential leadership competencies including visioning, strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and problem-solving.

Establish a Basis for Action

Embed high-performance behaviors of the Sterling Core Values like Visionary Leadership, Systems Perspective, Agility and Resilience, and Customer-Focused Excellence.

Bring Immediate Value and Improvement

Develop and put your skills to work addressing a real-life strategically oriented challenge your organization faces, through team-based projects and a Capstone Training Experience.

Earn Recognition

Graduate with a prestigious certification showcasing your leadership commitment and expertise.

In their words

Hear from our Fellows

Latresha McKinnor
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Sterling Leadership Fellows, Cohort 1

Christopher B. McKenzie
Sterling Leadership Fellows, Cohort 1

The Sterling Fellows Program has been developed to transition aspiring leaders from managing tasks to leading people while driving innovation and engagement within their teams.

Roland Martinez

Broward County Health Department; Governor's Sterling Award winner

The program's focus on world-class leadership through applied learning will provide an invaluable framework for evaluating and improving organizational performance.

Victoria Dune-Chari

Wellstar Kennestone; Georgia Oglethorpe Award winner

How to Apply

Elevate Your Leadership Journey

Applications for the 2027–2028 cohort are now open. Limited Openings Available — applications due by April 23, 2027.

Complete the application below. The program begins with an orientation virtual meeting on May 10, 2027. Questions? Email Leadership@SterlingFellows.org.

Have your current resume ready to upload. Fields marked * are required.

Applicant Information

First Name*

Last Name*

Organization*

Current Position Title*

Time in Your Current Position*

Years or months

Your Address*

Email Address*

Office Phone

Mobile Phone*

Immediate Supervisor/Manager*

Head/Director of Department

Accomplishments, honors, offices held, activities, and level of academic achievement*

Recent example(s) of effort you have made to further develop or expand your professional/life skills*

Applicant Expectations

How you will benefit from joining the Sterling Leadership Fellows, what you expect to learn, and how it will support your career goals*

Current Resume*

PDF or Word document, 5 MB maximum.

Attendance

The time commitment to Sterling Leadership Fellows is essential. You are required to attend the Orientation and all developmental sessions, and to complete assigned projects. Participants who don’t fulfill the attendance obligations may not graduate.

By entering your initials, you understand that if you don’t fulfill the attendance and project obligations, you may not graduate and will not receive the service hours associated with the professional development credits.

Your initials*

Applicant Agreement

Applicant: I understand the goals and commitments to Sterling Leadership Fellows. If selected, I am willing to attend all scheduled sessions and devote the time necessary to be a contributing member. By entering my name below, I acknowledge and agree to the terms of the program.

Applicant's acknowledgement — type your full name*

In practice