Beginning September 2026
Leadership Exchange Fellowship
Preparing BIPOC leaders for senior leadership positions in Los Angeles County’s homeless response sector through a structured executive shadowing program
Program Overview
The Leadership Exchange Fellowship is an eight-month, paid shadowing program designed to prepare leaders for senior executive leadership in LA’s homeless response sector. Through structured mentorship, hands-on executive experience, coaching, and community building, the program builds a more equitable and representative leadership pipeline.
This program is a strategic investment in the future of Los Angeles County's homeless response sector. By developing strong, diverse leadership and fostering cross-organizational collaboration, the program aims to develop both individual leadership and broader systemic transformation.
The fellowship will be managed by SJPLA’s Racial Equity in Homelessness Initiative.
Who should apply?
Fellows
Program alumni of the Racial Equity in Homelessness Fellowship
Director-level or higher positions in L.A. County's homeless response sector
Committed to advancing to executive leadership within 3-5 years
Passionate about creating systemic change in addressing homelessness
Shadowing Mentors
Current CEOs and executive directors in the homeless response sector
Committed to developing the talent pipeline
Able to provide meaningful executive-level experiences and mentorship
Willing to participate in up to two 3-month-long rotations
Details
The program duration is eight months, from September 2026 to April 2027.
The Fellow will be placed at two different organizations to shadow a CEO or executive director in three-month shadowing rotations.
Each rotation will consist of 9 full-day executive shadowing sessions.
Shadowing rotations:
Rotation 1: September - November 2026
Break: December 2026 - January 2027
Rotation 2: February - April 2027
Compensation
Leadership Exchange Fellows will receive a one-time $5,000 unrestricted stipend for participation in the program.
Participating Organizations that have a Leadership Exchange Fellow in the program will receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant for each rotation completed.
Shadowing Organizations that have a CEO or executive director serving as a Mentor will receive a $12,000 unrestricted grant for each rotation completed.
Background
The homeless response sector in Los Angeles County faces complex challenges that require innovative, inclusive leadership approaches. This fellowship addresses three critical needs:
Building Diverse Leadership: By specifically supporting BIPOC leaders, the program helps ensure that those making decisions about homeless services reflect the communities they serve to create more effective and culturally responsive solutions.
Knowledge Transfer: Through direct shadowing of experienced executives, Fellows gain practical insights into high-level decision-making, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
Sector-Wide Collaboration: The program creates strong networks between current and emerging leaders across the sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across organizations.
Participants
Leadership Exchange Fellow
Up to six Fellows will be selected from program alumni of the Racial Equity in Homelessness Fellowship. Since 2020, SJPLA has engaged a community of over 70 mid-to-senior BIPOC leaders in L.A.’s homeless response sector.
Time Commitment
Three business days per month to shadow an executive leader, scheduled non-contiguously.
Participate in a full-day cohort session every third Thursday of the month from 10:00am to 4:30pm.
Participate in two 60-minute executive coaching sessions per month.
Attend several fellowship events throughout the program to build camaraderie and connection between Leadership Exchange Fellows and senior leadership in the sector.
Benefits
Identify areas for skill development or gaps you need to address before advancing.
Clarity on whether pursuing a senior leadership position aligns with your personal and professional goals
Learn about the strategic priorities, decision-making processes, and challenges faced at the executive level. Observe and reflect on different leadership styles, communication methods, and approaches to managing teams and organizational culture.
Establish connections and foster relationships with c-suite leaders who can provide guidance, support your growth and advancement within the sector, and advocacy for future opportunities.
See yourself in an executive position, boosting confidence to pursue senior leadership positions.
Supports
A one-time $5,000 unrestricted stipend paid directly to you for participating in the fellowship program.
Meet with an Executive Coach twice per month for the duration of the program either virtually or in-person.
Maintain your full-time employment status, including medical benefits, and continuation in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, if applicable, with your current employer while in the fellowship program.
Full-day monthly cohort meetings.
Shadowing Mentor
SJPLA will partner with CEOs and executive directors who will curate immersive and diverse shadowing experiences for Fellows with their senior leadership teams.
Time Commitment
Curate 9 full-day shadowing sessions per rotation with their senior leadership team where a Fellow can observe, engage in, and reflect upon their experience with their Mentor.
Attend several fellowship events throughout the program to build camaraderie and connection between Leadership Exchange Fellows and senior leadership in the sector.
Benefits
Demonstrate your commitment to equity and racial justice by contributing to talent development in the sector and creating a culture of mentorship that attracts and retains top talent across all levels.
Help your organization identify and nurture BIPOC talent for leadership pipelines, ensuring that diverse voices and experiences are included at the executive level.
Hear fresh perspectives on organizational processes and decision-making by listening to how BIPOC leaders view systems, challenges, and opportunities. Gain a broader understanding of the perspectives, strengths, and leadership styles BIPOC leaders can uniquely bring to senior leadership spaces.
Supports
A $12,000 unrestricted grant for participating in a three-month executive shadowing rotation. Mentors can participate in up to two rotations.
Contribute to the design of a shadowing toolkit that will be published at the end of the fellowship program and distributed across L.A. County’s homeless response sector.
Develop connections with a broader community of BIPOC leaders from SJPLA’s Racial Equity in Homelessness Fellowship.
Eligibility Requirements for Fellows
Must be an alumni of SJPLA’s Racial Equity in Homelessness Fellowship.
Must currently hold a director-level position or higher at a non-profit organization or public sector agency in L.A. County’s homeless response sector
Must participate in two 3-month rotations (18 shadowing sessions) and 7 monthly cohort meetings.
Must demonstrate determination and motivation to step into an executive role in Los Angeles County’s homeless response sector
Must receive their CEO or executive director’s approval to participate in the program
If you have any questions about the eligibility requirements, please email racialequity@sjpla.org.
The requirements above are listed as general guidelines. We encourage applicants not to self-select out of the application process. Instead, articulate how you would make a great candidate for the fellowship. If you feel you don’t meet one of the eligibility requirements, please present your case in the application form.
Application Process
For Fellows
Submit Online Application
Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026 (11:00 PM PT)Provide Two References
A current or former employer or supervisor andA work colleague in a similar job level or former direct report
Submit Employer Approval Form
Candidates must receive a signature of approval to participate in the fellowship program from their CEO or executive director. If you have trouble accessing the form, please contact Anh Le at ale@sjpla.org.
Interviews will take place between April 27th and May 14th.
Schedule a 45-minute interview from the Calendly page.
Announcement
Leadership Exchange Fellows will be announced on Thursday, May 14th.Attend the Exchange Mixer Event
Newly selected Leadership Exchange Fellows will meet and connect with participating Shadowing Mentors on Thursday, May 21st from 3:00-6:00pm (in-person event).
For Mentors
Deadline: Friday, April 10th
Attend Shadowing Mentor Meeting
Virtual meeting via Zoom on Monday, April 20th from 12:00-1:00pm
Attend The Exchange Mixer Event
Shadowing Mentors will meet and connect with the Leadership Exchange Fellowship cohort on Thursday, May 21st from 3:00-6:00pm (in-person event).
Important Dates
Shadowing Rotations
Rotation 1: September to November 2026 - 9 shadowing sessions
Rotation 2: February to April 2027 - 9 shadowing sessions
Monthly cohort sessions for Fellows are on the third Thursdays of the month from 10:00am to 4:30pm.
September 17, 2026
October 15, 2026
November 19, 2026
January 21, 2027
February 18, 2027
March 18, 2027
April 15, 2027
Exchange Events for Fellows & Mentors
Thursday, May 21st from 3:00-6:00pm - Exchange Mixer
Thursday, September 3rd from 2:00-5:00pm - Kick-Off Exchange
Thursday, December 3rd from 5:00-8:00pm - Holiday Exchange
Monday, January 25th from 9:00-11:00am - Rotation 2 Onboarding Day
Friday, April 23rd from 6:00-9:00pm - Fellowship Culmination Dinner
