Beginning September 2025

Leadership Exchange Fellowship

Preparing BIPOC leaders for senior leadership positions in Los Angeles County’s homeless response sector through a structured executive shadowing program

Monday, Feb 24th 12:00 PM

Fellow application due March 20th

Shadowing Mentor application due February 28th

Program Overview

The Leadership Exchange Fellowship is a six-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 Social Justice Partners Los Angeles’ (SJPLA) Racial Equity in Homelessness Initiative. 

Who should apply?

Fellows

  • Current participants and 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 one to three 2-month rotations

Commitment

The Leadership Exchange Fellow will commit to 4 business days per month to shadow an executive leader, and a half-day cohort session every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Shadowing Mentor will commit to curating eight shadowing sessions with their senior leadership team where a Fellow can observe, engage in, and reflect upon their experiences with their mentor.

Compensation

A one-time $5,000 unrestricted stipend to the Leadership Exchange Fellow.

Organizations that have a Leadership Exchange Fellow participating in the program will receive a $45,000 grant.

A $20,000 unrestricted grant to the Shadow Mentor’s organization.

Details

  • The program duration is six months beginning in September 2025 and culminating in March 2026, not including December.

  • The Fellow will be placed at three different organizations or agencies throughout the fellowship in two-month rotations.

  • Each rotation will consist of eight sessions–for a total of 24 shadowing sessions.

  • The Shadowing Mentor will curate immersive experiences that a Fellow can observe, engage in, and reflect upon with their mentors. 

  • Placement rotations:

    • Rotation 1 - September-October 2025 

    • Rotation 2 - November 2025-January 2026 (excluding December)

    • Rotation 3 - February-March 2026

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.

Social Justice Partners Los Angeles (SJPLA) is shifting this fellowship offering in 2025 with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 

Initially, the Fellowship was designed to fast track emerging leaders with frontline and direct service experience into homelessness-related positions in Los Angeles County’s public sector. The first two SJPLA cohorts placed Fellows at various public sector agencies and elected offices across the county influencing public policy, community engagement initiatives, and strategic planning efforts. 

In September 2025, SJPLA will strategically shift the focus of the Fellowship towards investing in and equipping leaders from the Racial Equity in Homelessness Fellowship into key public sector and nonprofit senior executive roles to advance the work of ending homelessness in Los Angeles County. SJPLA will partner with nonprofit service providers and public sector agencies to facilitate a structured executive shadowing program for Fellows while engaging in professional coaching, mentorship, and peer learning.

Participants

Leadership Exchange Fellow

Up to six Fellows will be selected from current participants and 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

  • Four business days per month to shadow an executive leader, scheduled non-contiguously.

  • Participate in a half-day cohort session every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

  • 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.

  • An Executive Coach who will meet with you twice a month for the duration of the program (in-person or virtually).

  • 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.

  • Half-day cohort meetings once a month.

Shadowing Mentor

SJPLA will partner with 6-18 CEOs and executive directors who will curate immersive and diverse shadowing experiences for Fellows with their senior leadership teams.

Time Commitment

  • Curate eight shadowing sessions with their senior leadership team.

  • 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 $20,000 unrestricted grant for participating in one 2-month rotation in the fellowship program. You can participate in up to three 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 a current or previous participant 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 a total of 24 shadowing sessions and 6 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.

We invite you to attend our upcoming Informational Sessions to learn more about the fellowship and ask about eligibility.


Process

  1. Submit online application
    Complete the online application by Thursday, March 20, 2025 (11:00 PM PT) for Fellows or Friday February 28th for Mentors.

  2. Fellows, have two references submit reference forms
    By Thursday, March 20, 2025, request reference forms from:

    1. A current or former employer or supervisor and

    2. A work colleague in a similar job level or former direct report

  3. Fellows, have your employer CEO/ED submit the Employer Approval form

  4. Leadership Exchange
    SJPLA will invite finalists to participate in the Leadership Exchange event on Thursday, April 3rd from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm to connect with the Shadowing Mentors interested in participating in the program. Candidates invited as finalists must attend this event to be considered for the fellowship. 

  5. Executive interviews
    Between April 7th and May 2nd, Shadowing Mentors will conduct follow-up interviews.

  6. Selection Committee matching process
    Between May 5th and 27th, the Selection Committee will meet with Shadowing Mentors to determine matches for all three rotations. 

  7. Announcement
    Finalists and organizations will be notified if they have been matched for the Leadership Exchange Fellowship by Wednesday, May 29th.

  8. Onboarding and Orientation Day
    Leadership Exchange Fellows and all participating Shadowing Mentors will meet in-person on Monday, June 16th for an onboarding event to prepare for the first rotation starting in September. 


Monthly Cohort Sessions

Third Thursdays of the month from 10:00am to 4:00pm, in-person 

  1. Thursday, September 18, 2025

  2. Thursday, October 16, 2025

  3. Thursday, November 20, 2025

  4. Thursday, January 15, 2026

  5. Thursday, February 19, 2026

  6. Thursday, March 19, 2026

Selection Timeline

“

Application Opens

”
— Wed. February 19th
“Information Session”
— Mon. February 24th, 12-1 p.m. PT
“Mentors Application Due”
— Fri. February 28th
“Fellows Application due including:
Fellows Application
Two References
Employer Approval”
— Thu, March 20, 11 p.m. PT
“Leadership Exchange Event”
— Thu. April 3rd, 4-7 pm PT
“Executive interviews conducted by Shadowing Mentors”
— April 7 - May 2
“Selection Committee matching process”
— May 5-27
“Announcement”
— Thu. May 29th
“Onboarding and orientation with Fellows, Shadowing Mentors (Fellows facilitate a planning session with their first rotation Mentor)”
— Mon. June 16, 8 am - 12 pm PT
“KICK-OFF EVENT for all participants, including Fellows, Mentors, Coaches, Facilitators & Selection Committee”
— Thu. September 4th, 4-7 pm PT
“1st Rotation”
— September - October, 2025
“2nd Rotation (excluding December)”
— November 2025, January 2026
“Program event”
— Thu. December 4th
“3rd Rotation”
— February - March, 2026
“Culmination Event”
— Thu. April 2nd

Special thanks to