Kansas Emerging Leaders

Unleashing the potential

The Mission

Kansas Emerging Leaders (KEL) is committed to the success of young leaders in Kansas by providing them access to the knowledge and tools to lead our state to a bright and successful future.

Each KEL class is given the following opportunities:

Learn about Kansas’ business, social, educational, and government issues of our past, how they impact us today, and how they will shape our future.
Build a network of fellow Kansans who are committed to our state’s success.
Provide professional leadership training opportunities.
Provide mentors and connections to Kansas leaders.
Create a pipeline of potential future Leadership Kansas program participants.

The Program

Kansas Emerging Leadership is a statewide program designed to enhance and motivate young leaders from various Kansas communities. Each year, Kansans representing a wide variety of occupations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, are nominated to apply for the program.

20 individuals are selected to participate in the program to learn about a myriad of topics important to Kansans through five monthly sessions held across the state. Upon completion of the program, the leaders will be better equipped to shoulder important leadership responsibilities in their individual careers and for their respective communities because of their experience and training through Kansas Emerging Leaders.

The Program’s History

Leadership Kansas created KEL in 2021 for professional leaders ranging in ages from their mid-20’s to mid-30’s. .

The program is based on input from LK alumni who saw a need to better connect those just beginning their careers with their communities and state and to help them learn about Kansas.

The Training

Throughout the program’s five monthly sessions, the class meets with recognized experts from a vast array of fields and professions. The class visits a wide variety of communities, organizations, businesses, and industries located in urban and rural Kansas.

The diversity of discussion topics helps further shape each class member’s development. The class also participates in leadership training provided by the Kansas Leadership Center.

Nomination Process

Nomination forms are sent to local and statewide groups, associations, Chamber members, elected officials and individuals. Persons not receiving nomination information are encouraged to submit the online nomination form to self-nominate or nominate other qualified persons.

Nominations are due by January 31st for that year’s program.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY

Application and Selection Process

Once nominated, potential applicants are invited to submit online applications for consideration for one of 20 positions available. Applicants are asked to demonstrate an increasing level of responsibility, potential for continuing to play a leadership role in Kansas, and evidence of professional and personal improvement since completing their formal education. Work experience, scope of personal interests, level of community involvement, and recognition of leadership abilities through receipt of honors and awards also may have significant impact in the final selection process.

Only those willing to thoughtfully complete an application and attend and participate in all five local program sessions and orientation need apply.

The class is hand-selected by a selection committee made of KEL advisory board appointed by the Education Foundation Board. The committee reviews every application and through a thorough review process makes every effort to ensure that there is proper geographic, occupational, racial, and gender diversity so that each class is truly representative of our state. All applicants not selected for that year’s class may apply for a future Kansas Emerging Leaders class.