Lead LA
Solutions to complex challenges in Southern California require leaders across industries who understand its unique civic and political landscape, have the network to leverage resources across sectors, and skill sets to work within and through systems.
Lead LA is designed for rising and established executives, thought leaders, and innovators eager to expand their leadership capacity, knowledge and networks in Southern California. The program utilizes Los Angeles as its classroom for lessons that can only be provided through first-hand experiences. Participants come away with a deeper understanding of themselves, the region, the power players, and the issues that all work in concert to create the unique fabric in LA. Through this immersive dive into the city, participants gain the tools and experiences necessary to lead and direct change within their own organizations.
Lead LA meets September through May and requires a significant time commitment both on weekdays and weekends. Sessions include (see calendar for more details):
- A half-day Orientation
- A 3-day Opening Retreat
- Multiple full-day Leadership Retreats – facilitated professional and personal development explorations around leadership development, team management and systems thinking
- Coro Community Networking Events (Fellows Selection Day, Lead LA Mixers, Women In Leadership Luncheon, and our annual Gala)
- Multiple cohort-led full-day Issue Days – public policy explorations of current topics, selected and organized by small teams of participants to educate the entire cohort
- Proposal, Design, and Debrief meetings (at most, 3 hours each) with the Senior Director of Training and Programs for each Issue Day team organizing. (In addition, teams will need to hold regular planning meetings in the months leading up to the Issue Day.)
- Regular optional civic engagement and personal reflection activities and events
- Closing Ceremony
Coupling the highly-successful Coro leadership model with inquiry-based learning from some of Southern California’s most respected multi-sector leaders, Lead LA provides the opportunity for Southern California’s top talent to:
- learn how to navigate systems and sectors unique to Southern California
- cultivate a large network of influencers and stakeholders in the region
- utilize the city as a classroom to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to their leadership toolkit
- play a role in tackling some of the most pressing issues of the region
- utilize systems-thinking, strategic inquiry, and diverse networks to get things done
- access Coro’s network of established leaders across sectors and industries
- develop a deeper understanding of how to effectively lead teams towards achieving large and complex goals
- put tools to practice through issue-driven, inquiry-based, group learning processes
Lead LA participants will strengthen their leadership toolkit within the following areas:
Leadership Development
- Recognize their own leadership strengths, gaps, and blind spots and identify strategies to lead most effectively
- Apply Coro’s signature leadership tools through complex group challenges, inquiry-based conversations with Southern California leaders, and exploration of regional issues
- Engage in reflective practice and immediately apply tools to everyday work
Team Management
- Create effective group processes to move through all levels of team tasks, from small meetings to large projects
- Design experiential group learning experiences for diverse teams
Systems Thinking
- Identify and effectively communicate with stakeholders on multiple sides of an issue
- Analyze complex systems, (e.g. organizations, sectors, power dynamics, etc.)
Multi-Sectoral Issue Analysis
- Understand the public, private, and nonprofit landscape in Los Angeles
- Evaluate cross-sectoral problems and provide balanced solutions in response
- Practice nonpartisan investigation into Southern California’s biggest challenges
Lead LA is for individuals who:
- are committed to deepening their leadership capacity through Coro’s proven methodology
- are looking to expand their professional and personal networks
- are decision makers, managers and/or influencers at their respective organizations
- have a minimum of 7 years of work experience
- live and work in Southern California
Selected participants reflect the demographics of Los Angeles and come from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Applicants should be prepared for an immersive, group-structured experience in personal reflection for leadership growth and public policy exploration.
Tuition is $5,000 for 100+ hours of leadership development training, individual and small group coaching, lodging and meals at the opening retreat, and access to Coro alumni and cross-program events. Limited scholarships are available. Payment in full (or agreement with Coro on a specific payment plan) is required before the start of the program. Participants are encouraged to seek their employer’s or other sponsor’s support for the program. Please contact us for information and guidance in seeking employer or sponsor support.
Thank you to our Supporters


Thank you to the Lead LA Advisory Committee
Amy Held
Executive Director, Larchmont Charter School
Angela Reddock-Wright
Founder and Managing Partner, Reddock Law Group
Deborah Mack
Former Interim Deputy Director, Future of California Elections
Lindsey Connor
Partner and Chair of the Media & Entertainment Group, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
Nicole Jones
Senior Special Assistant, California State Controller’s Office
Robin Kramer
Managing Director, Smidt Foundation
Seleta Reynolds
General Manager, LADOT
Andrea Foggy Paxton
Managing Director, The Broad Center
Caprice Young
National Superintendent, Learn4Life Network
John Kobara
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, California Community Foundation
Lisa Kalustian
President, Kalustian Consulting
Robert Jernigan
Regional Managing Principal, Gensler
Shawn Landres
Commissioner and Chair, Quality and Productivity Commission, LA County
Steve Crosby
Principal, Crosby Consulting
Application
Click here to complete the 2021-2022 Coro Lead Programs (Lead LA & Lead SoCal) application. Deadline is 11:59 PM on July 11, 2021Interest Form
Click here to complete an Interest Form and learn more about the Coro Lead Programs (Lead LA & Lead SoCal)Nominate
Know someone who would be great for the Coro Lead Programs (Lead LA & Lead SoCal)? Nominate them here!FAQ
Read Frequently Asked Questions.Virtual Info Session
Our next virtual info session is on April 20th from 12 pm to 1pm PST. RSVP here for more information.Meet the Current Class
Learn more about the current Lead LA cohort.Meet Past Cohorts
Class of 2020
Class of 2019Brochures
View and Download the Lead LA and/or Lead SoCal brochures to learn more and share with a friend or colleague.Program Benefits Guide
Seeking employer or sponsor financial support? Download this guide on Coro Lead Programs’ benefits to assist with the conversation.2021-2022 Program Calendars
View the 2021-2022 program calendars for Lead LA and Lead SoCal to see specific dates/times for programming and more details on the attendance policy.Questions? Contact:
Callie Spaide
Recruitment, & Alumni Relations Manager
callie@corola.org
(213) 267-6497