Written By: Tina Wright-Ervin, MSW, Senior Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Consultant, APHSA
APHSA and the Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group (HSITAG) are preparing to open applications for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program, which will be held alongside the IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo. As the planning team begins their work for this year’s program, they draw inspiration from the success of past cohorts.
The 2024 cohort consisted of 34 junior and mid-level professionals from state and local government, and private sector partners. The common thread amongst the group was that they were nominated by their leadership teams for their exceptional work and their potential to advance in human services leadership within the next three to five years. As one of the organizers of the Emerging Leaders Program, my job was to facilitate the growth of these future leaders and spotlight their amazing accomplishments.
The Growth of the Emerging Leaders Program
Our largest cohort yet, participants in last year’s Emerging Leaders Program joined a growing alumni network—one that has been expanding since the program’s inception in 2016. The goal of the program is to promote and strengthen collaboration between human services professionals and IT partners. In those nine years, the program has impacted hundreds of professionals by providing opportunities to improve their leadership skills, enrich their networking acumen, and enhance their presentation abilities.
“Innovate to Elevate-Leading in a Changing Word” is the theme of the program and it was embedded throughout last year’s ISM conference as participants engaged in a tailored development experience. While the content of each year is unique, all cohorts are guaranteed to experience curated networking events, peer learning discussions, and expert-led sessions designed to better prepare them for future leadership challenges.
Highlights from past years include Q&As with bestselling authors, exclusive panels with renowned CEOs and government leaders, and private keynote sessions.
Creating an Impact with Human Services Leaders
Participants in the Emerging Leaders Program, both past and present, form a tight-knit group that continues to experience connection and support far beyond their cohort year. Many past participants shared their experiences during the 2024 alumni luncheon. During the session, each member of the 2024 cohort was paired with an alumni mentor to establish connections and cultivate an ongoing community of support.
2018 Cohort Alumni, Rupam Chokshi of PCG (who also now serves as the ISM HSITAG Chair) shared that he continues to call upon his Emerging Leader family as friends. 2021 Alumni, Darlene Bragg from Clark County, NV spoke about how the program “changed my life” both professionally and personally.
Emeka Madu of KPMG, 2021 Cohort alum and former Emerging Leaders Program Planning Team Lead, said, “I look back on my nerves during that first presentation and it drives me to be confident in interactions now.”
The continued positive feedback and engagement from alumni are part of the magic of the Emerging Leaders program. As the APHSA Liaison to this group, along with my colleague Dr. Trinka Bourne, I am continually impressed and enlightened by each cohort that we work with. The number of alumni who have experienced continued success in their careers and continue to give back to the next generation is inspiring. They continue to motivate me and others to grow the program and deepen its impact on our sector.
If you are interested in participating in the 2025 cohort, or if you know someone who should be nominated, be on the lookout for the nomination forms on our website in late April.
About the Author
Senior Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Consultant, APHSA
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in contributors’ posts are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of APHSA.