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Program Details | Partner Organizations | Committee | Sponsorship Opportunities



Leadership Austin’s Emerge program is a gathering of community-minded, high-potential young professionals who want to build relationships and gain leadership skills to make a true difference in Central Texas. Emerge provides an exceptional opportunity to connect with other young leaders and strengthen skills critical for those interested in developing a lifelong leadership career.

NEW! See the Austin Business Journal's profile on Emerge (July 11, 2008)

Emerge is generously supported by the Wachovia Foundation.

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What is Emerge?

  • A leadership development program that prepares young professionals for community leadership roles.
  • Participants develop critical leadership skills and create deep relationships encouraging their future involvement and collaboration in addressing the region’s challenges.
  • The 2008 Emerge program consists of 5 sessions – one every two weeks for 10 weeks – and multiple “in the community” learning activities. It begins Thursday, September 25, 2008.
  • The program is comprised of 45 participants selected through an application process.

Who Should Apply?

Individuals who...

  • are motivated to serve their community and have a passion for making a difference;
  • want to cultivate relationships with a network of other community leaders, for personal and professional benefit;
  • have demonstrated community involvement.


The Emerge program provides valuable networking and relationship
building with other young leaders in the community, personal and
professional development, and a deeper connection with the organizations
and businesses that make Austin so unique. Since participating
in the Emerge program, I was elected as the president of an organization
with over 400 members. I feel so confident stepping into this role
because of the leadership training I received through Emerge.

-Jean Conover, TradeMark Media