The Center for Leadership Initiatives Project

by Sharon Grevious

With support from Lynn Schusterman (currently the president of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation), The Center for Leadership Initiatives (CLI) is in the process of designing a unique and prestigious post-collegiate fellowship program for students and young professionals to engage them as future leaders in the Jewish community.  The fellowship will offer a combination of skills training and professional experience (through work rotations) to program participants.  The program will also include other components such as retreats, community service opportunities, mentorship and online resources to strengthen fellows’ potential for excellence and effectiveness within the Jewish nonprofit and philanthropic arena.
 
CLI selected Innovation Network as its partner to conduct a market research study to learn about the experiences, ideas, and preferences of potential applicants and better tailor its program to their needs and interests.  Innovation Network conducted a series of focus groups with undergraduate students, graduate students, and young professionals in order to address the key questions raised and cover relevant fellowship-related topics.  The focus groups took place in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Washington D.C., and New York.
 
CLI is a private operating foundation focusing on leadership development, professional growth and promotion of managerial excellence throughout the Jewish community.  For more information on The Center for Leadership Initiatives, visit their website: www.leadingup.org.