Overview
Since 1986, Leadership Greater Washington (LGW) has developed 2,000 executive leaders from DC, Northern Virginia, and Suburban Maryland through its flagship offering, the Signature Program— an intensive 10-month program that exposes professionals to regional civic issues through education, connection, and knowledge sharing.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Signature Program is to leverage collective knowledge and resources to make the Greater Washington region a more dynamic and collaborative community.
Program Strategies
- The Signature Program builds a supportive network of diverse, authentic, and supportive relationships that cross all sectors and industries.
- Participants identify regional community challenges and opportunities.
- The program inspires collaboration within the LGW community and civic impact in the Washington, DC region.
A Forum for Collaborative Action
The Signature Program provides an opportunity for Greater Washington’s most accomplished leaders to make a collective social impact. Each year, approximately 60 leaders are competitively selected to represent the professional and individual diversity of the Greater Washington region as the LGW Signature Class. Participants hail from a variety of professional sectors including nonprofit, corporate, government, and small- and large-business entrepreneurship.
When leaders join LGW’s 10-month Signature Program, they connect with change-makers from a diversity of social, cultural, and professional backgrounds. Together, they forge meaningful relationships, exchange trusted counsel, and cultivate progress from common ground. It’s the beginning of life-long connections with each other, and with LGW where, whether these leaders are tackling affordable housing, public safety, or transportation issues, they can always find great minds uniting for a greater purpose.
Past program days topics have included; diversity, equity and inclusion, education, regionalism, human needs, inclusiveness and belonging, public safety, community health, workforce development, and environmental sustainability.
Additional Information
- Class of 2027 Application
Applications for the Signature Program Class of 2027 are now open!
Upon completion of your application, you will be asked to submit payment for a non-refundable $250 application fee.
Applications will close on Friday, April 17, 2026.
- Class of 2027 Program Dates
Participants are expected to commit to one full-day session each month, held at various locations throughout the Greater Washington region.
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Orientation
- Thursday, September 17 & Friday, September 18, 2026 - Opening Retreat*
- Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Thursday, December 10, 2026
- Thursday, January 14 & Friday, January 15, 2027
- Thursday, February 11, 2027
- Thursday, March 18, 2027
- Thursday, April 15, 2027
- Thursday, May 13, 2027
- Thursday, June 3 & Friday, June 4, 2027 - Closing Retreat*
*Participation is mandatory and requires overnight attendance as part of the program experience.
- Tuition/Scholarship Details
Tuition:
$7,500- Covers the cost of monthly program days and overnight retreats
- Includes one ticket to LGW’s anchor events and access to other member events
Scholarships:
If you require tuition assistance, you may apply for it towards the end of the online application. Signature Program Scholarship Awards are based on an applicant's needs and the funds available. Every request will receive a confidential, thorough assessment and every effort will be made to be supportive of individuals who cannot otherwise afford the tuition. LGW offers partial financial assistance; awards generally do not exceed 50% of the full tuition amount. A request for tuition assistance does not influence the decision of the Selection Committee.
- Reference Letters
Each Signature Program application requires two reference letters. If possible, we encourage applicants to have a reference from a past Signature Program participant.
Reference letters must be submitted as part of the application and should be provided on the reference’s company letterhead and include the reference’s signature. Letters should describe the reference’s relationship to the applicant, speak to the applicant’s character as a person and/or leader, and highlight the applicant’s community and civic involvement.
References should email their letters directly to LGW staff at info@lgwdc.org no later than April 17, 2026, as part of a complete application submission.
- Ideal Candidate
- Holds a senior title in their organization such as Partner, CEO, Executive Director, SVP, VP, Managing Director, or Director
- Prominent influencer in their industry
- Demonstrated commitment to the community
- Based in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, or Suburban Maryland
- Info Session
A virtual info session for the Signature Program Class of 2027 will be held on Friday, February 6, at 9:30am
- Info Sheet