Program Application Questions

First Name

Last Name

Preferred / Primary Email Address
(This will be the main way we inform you about your application and the Program. Please choose an email you check regularly.)

Secondary Email Address
(We encourage a different, secondary email.)

Preferred Phone Number

City Affiliation
(This city should reflect the area in which you work and/or reside. At this time, YALP only accepts applicants from Greater Minneapolis-St.Paul, and MYALP is accepting applicants from all cities listed)

• Greater Duluth
• Greater Fargo-Moorhead
• Greater Mankato
• Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Greater Rochester
• Greater St. Cloud

Program Selection (Minneapolis-St. Paul Applicants Only)
As an applicant from Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul, you are uniquely eligible to apply for both the Minnesota and National Young American Leaders Programs. Both programs share core cross-sector themes, and lodging and meals are 100% covered for both.
Select what statement best applies to you:

• I am applying for BOTH Programs. I understand that I will be considered for both Programs, and would be open to attending either Program if invited.
• I am ONLY applying for the MINNESOTA Program (MYALP). I understand that I will NOT be considered for the national Program.
• I am ONLY applying for the NATIONAL Program (YALP) I understand that I will NOT be considered for the Minnesota Program.

#1 Work Experience

Please fill out the following questions regarding your current job.

Current Title / Role

Current Organization

Dates of Employment 

Sector Affiliation of Current Organization

Size of Organization

My organization is primarily focused on providing products or services in the following field: 
(up to two selections)

• Construction
• Consulting
• Education (District Level)
• Education (K-12)
• Education (Post secondary)
• Finance
• Food Industry
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Philanthropy
• Public Service
• Religion/Faith-Based
• Retail
• Sales
• Other

Previous Work Experience 
Please list your previous positions prior to your current role in reverse chronological order. 
For each position, please provide: 

1. Job Title 
2. Organization Name 
3. Dates Employed (MM/YYYY – Present or MM/YYYY) 
4. Brief Description of Key Responsibilities & Leadership (2–3 sentences)

#2 Leadership Criteria

Please select at least one criterion below that applies to your experience and provide a brief description. Meeting multiple criteria is not more valuable than meeting only one.
Note: Do not write "see resume." Each text box has a strict limit of 100 words (~650 characters).

1. Experience leading a group of five or more other people. This could include a function, working group, committee, task force, department, division, or organization. 
2. Experience leading a cross-organizational, cross-divisional, or cross-departmental process and/or experience representing an organization, constituency, geography, or community in a multi-stakeholder initiative, process, or body.
3. Formal designation by your organization as a "high potential" employee (or similar designation reflecting assessment as someone who has the ability, commitment, and motivation to succeed in senior positions in the organization) or are being trained for senior positions in the organization.

#3: Collaboration, Inclusivity & Engagement

Applicants must complete all three sections below. Please describe your experience and/or interest for each criteria.
Note: Do not write "see resume." Each text box has a strict limit of 100 words (~650 characters).

1. Collaborating across the for-profit, government, and non-profit sectors for the good of my city, state, or region. 
2. Working across functions, roles, professions, differences in political perspective, beliefs, or life experiences.
3. Making time available outside of your day job to collaborate with other leaders for public good.

These short essays help selection committees understand who you are, what drives you, and how you engage both in your "day job" and in the broader community. 
Note: Please write for a general audience. Be specific, include real-world examples, and avoid technical terms, industry jargon, or acronyms.

Please tell us about your current role. Be specific about how you spend your time and your responsibilities. (150 word limit / 900 characters)

Please tell us about your work and aspirations outside of your day job to contribute to society more generally, e.g., to your city, region, or community. (150 words limit / 900 characters)
We’re interested in both your current and past work (e.g., volunteering, board service, personal projects, community engagement), as well in your public-oriented interests and goals, even where you haven’t yet been able to fully realize them.

(Minneapolis-St. Paul Only) Program Selection Rationale
Because you selected a single program option, please help the selection committee understand your preference.
Why would the Program for which you are applying better serve you, than the Program for which you aren't applying, in developing your network and ideas for contributing to public good in your city, community, region, or the state of Minnesota? (100 word limit / 650 characters) 

• For example, if you are applying to only the Minnesota Young American Leaders Program and not the national Program, how would the opportunity to connect with leaders across Minnesota (v. leaders from cities in different states) better allow you to contribute to public good going forward?

(Optional) What’s something you want us to know about you or your life experience that we didn’t ask? (100 word limit / 650 characters)

Please upload your current resume.
All work experience (minimum of seven years full-time) must be clearly stated on your resume or your application will be rejected as not meeting Program requirements. Your application will not be considered without a resume.

Participation in the Minnesota and national Young American Leaders Program requires full attendance, active engagement, and thorough advance preparation. To ensure a high-impact experience for all cohort members, partial attendance is not permitted. Please review and check all three boxes below to confirm your commitment if selected.

Program Commitments & Affirmations

• I agree to clear my schedule of all conflicts to give the Program my full attention for its duration. 
  MYALP: May 23 - 26, 2027 (University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus - Minneapolis, MN).
  YALP: Late June 2027 (Harvard Business School - Boston, MA)

• I understand that participants are expected to stay in the lodging provided on campus for the duration of the Program, and I agree to do so. All lodging accommodations, meals, and travel expenses to and from the Program will be covered.

• I agree to complete all required pre-reading materials prior to the start of the Program (approximately 30 hours of case studies, executive summaries, and articles).