Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute

This six-month program features keynote speakers, interactive workshops, self-guided assignments, and community-building activities in collaboration with prominent U.S. organizations and leaders. Live sessions, small-group discussions, and 1-on-1 reflections provide an opportunity for integration of course materials and peer-to-peer engagement.

During the program, participants will have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of coaching with Atlas Corps staff undergoing formal training to become accredited by the International Coaching Federation. In these sessions, Scholars will be able to focus on a topic of their choice to gain greater clarity about your life’s purpose and make choices that align with your authentic self. 

Throughout the program, participants will work on projects aimed to benefit their current organizations and local communities, or support their professional development:

• community action projects focused on driving social impact at the community or organizational level; or
• personal development projects focused on individual professional growth & skill development for social impact.

Successful participants will become eligible to apply for the Atlas Corps Community Impact Fund to sponsor their Leadership Project implementation with a grant of up to $2000.

In addition to engaging within the Hilton Prize Laureate community, program participants will become lifetime members of the broader Atlas Corps Community of more than 1,700 professionals from 117 countries! 

The VLI is organized into five online Learning Modules – Orientation, Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Organizations, Reflection – highlighting key topics related to leadership development, including, but not limited to:

• Introduction to Leadership Theories
• Who, What, and Why of Social Leadership
• Community-Building & Networking
• Self-Awareness & Identity Exploration
• Personal and Leadership Branding
• Leading with Integrity & Ethical Leadership
• Building, Managing & Leading Effective Teams
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Giving and Receiving Feedback
• Team Conflict Resolution
• Motivating Others
• Culture & Intercultural Communication
• Storytelling for Social Change
• Inclusive Leadership & Intersectionality
• Building & Sustaining External Partnerships
• Networking & Alumni Impact

Please note these requirements are unique to this initiative and may differ from other Atlas Corps programs:

• English proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing;
• Technological capacity to participate in at least 2 video calls a month (preferably from a desktop computer or a laptop);
• Availability to participate in the entire Virtual Leadership Institute and complete required coursework (6 months of at least 3 hours a week of scheduled or self-guided virtual activities).

• Early and Mid-Career Professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree and 2-5 years of experience, or Professionals with a High School Degree/GED and 5-8 years of experience;
  
  
• Rising leaders who seek structured professional development, have a passion for social change, and have an interest in making international connections.

Invitations to sent to selected participants: mid-January , 2025

Deadline to sign participation agreement: January 22, 2025

Deadline to complete pre-orientation assignments: February 3, 2025

First day of virtual activities: February 17, 2024

Scholars participate in scheduled live workshops and complete e-learning assignments (approx. 3-5 hours per week): February 17 – August 3, 2025

Scholars continue implementation of their Leadership Projects: August – December 2025