Mobilizing Local Leaders For Collective Impact
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.
Signature Program Class of 2026
Info Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature Program FAQ
Meet the Class of 2025
Class List
PROGRAM SPONSOR
Selection Criteria
Who Should Apply?
Executive-level leaders who wish to leverage their regional influence to make community impact in the Greater Washington region
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