Bohnett Leadership Fellows
David Bohnett Gay & Lesbian
Leadership Fellows
To develop a strong cohort of LGBT public officials, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute, in collaboration with the David Bohnett Foundation, has sent 91 outstanding LGBT leaders to the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program since 2002, and connects these alumni to opportunities for further leadership development.
About the Program
Designed for all senior-level executives working with state and local governments — including government officials, nonprofit leaders, and elected officeholders — this intensive, three-week Executive Education program at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, hones skills and furthers the leadership potential of accomplished individuals from across the United States. Sessions are held in June and July.
The Bohnett Fellowship provides partial financial assistance to help strong LGBT officials cover the costs of attendance, programming that complements the Senior Executives program, and a growing network of Bohnett Fellowship alumni.
Find out more about the Senior Executives program at Harvard Kennedy School.
Apply to the 2012 Bohnett Fellowship
To apply for the Bohnett Fellowship, applications are due to the Harvard Kennedy School, and supplementary information is due to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute, by March 16. Note that the deadline for the Bohnett Fellowship is earlier than the Harvard Kennedy School deadline of April 6. Applicants can choose between two identical sessions: June 4-22 and July 9-27.
Application Process
- Learn about the program through the Harvard website and speak to David Bohnett alum in your area who might be resources, or people you know through your involvement in LGBT work, about your interests, and ask questions about the process.
- Apply to Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government by March 16, 2012. Because of the timing of our committee process, the deadline for the Victory Institute is earlier than the Harvard Kennedy School deadline.
- In addition to the standard application from Harvard, applicants for the Bohnett program must submit the following supplemental information to the Victory Institute by March 16:
- Two letters of reference, one from someone who has completed the Senior Executives in State in Local Government (preference for Bohnett Fellows), and one from someone who knows and can speak to your leadership/participation within the LGBT movement. (This is important, and will not be waived for any fellowship applicant).
- A short paragraph (100 words or less) detailing how you have expressed your commitment to leadership within the LGBT community.
- Once you apply, please tell us so we can watch for your application. Harvard will send us applications of those who have indicated in their forms people who would like to be considered for a Bohnett Gay & Lesbian Fellowship.
- You will be notified of the decision for the Fellowship by early April.
Read the FAQ for more information about the Bohnett Fellowship and email fellowship@victoryinstitute.org with any questions.
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The 2011 Bohnett Fellows
12 Bohnett Fellows completed the program in 2011:
- Nickie J. Antonio - Lakewood , Ohio, Ohio State Representative, District 13
- A.J. Bockelman - St. Louis, Mo., Executive Director, PROMO
- Kim Coco Iwamoto - Oahu , Hawaii , Civil Rights Attorney
- Cindy Dick - Tallahassee, Fla., Tallahassee Fire Department Chief
- Karla Drenner - Avondale Estates, Ga., Georgia House of Representatives, District 86
- Jolie Justus - Kansas City, Mo., Missouri State Senate, District 10
- Cynthia "Cindi" Love - Abilene, Texas, Executive Director of Soulforce
- Rosie Mendez - New York, N.Y., New York City Council , District 2
- Blake Oshiro - Honolulu, Hawaii , Hawaii House of Representatives Majority Leader, District 33
- Kathy Padilla - Philadelphia, Pa., Philadelphia International Airport
- Brian Sheehan - Dublin, Ireland, Gay & Lesbian Equality Network Managing Director
- Alex Wan - Atlanta, Ga., Atlanta City Council
