Essential FAQs

Essential brings together cross-industry, established leaders who reflect the diversity of Greater Austin. Participants benefit from the diversity of classmates’ experience as they cultivate new relationships, explore complex regional issues and deepen their leadership skills.  At the end of the class, alumni are poised to have increased impact through their civic engagement.

Participation in Essential offers the unique opportunity to be part of a nine-month experience during which you will learn a great deal about yourself and about the many different communities that are part of Greater Austin. In addition, you will make lifetime friendships with individuals representing the diversity of the region.

At the end of the year, many graduates say that their Leadership Austin experience has been life changing – professionally and personally.  Alumni have: 

• A broader and more profound understanding of complex community issues
• A deeper appreciation of how these community issues relate to one another in a greater system
• A heightened recognition of the potential of civic leaders to make significant impacts in community issues
• An increased understanding of the ways in which they can be effective contributors
• A deep understanding of the value of collaborating with diverse partners to accomplish complex goals
• A greatly expanded network of colleagues to serve as resources in their endeavors.

Alumni end the year committed to being involved in their communities in even more meaningful ways. 

Essential participants are established community and business leaders who are looking to broaden their impact in the region. There are no age requirements. People in Essential identify as experienced and well into their leadership journeys, whatever that means to them – for some that happens at 25, for others it’s at 52. The age range for Essential cohorts is typically 35-60. Ideal candidates for Essential:  

• Are recognized leaders amongst their peers
• Are seeking to build relationships across industries with others equally committed to the community
• Have a proven record of service and commitment in their professions, community groups and neighborhoods

In addition, the following qualifications must be met by September 1, 2024:

• Applicant cannot be a filed candidate for public office.

Those who have previously applied to the Essential program are strongly encouraged to reapply.  The application fee for anyone reapplying is waived.

Many Essential were selected to participate after more than one application. Experienced civic and community leaders recognize that a long-term perspective and perseverance are fundamental to success.

Essential plays a crucial role in educating experienced leaders on complex community issues while honing leadership skills to work effectively with our communities diverse constituencies. Because this curriculum can only be successful when the class composition reflects the diversity of Greater Austin, the Selection Committee selects individuals for each class to reflect the region’s geographic, ethnic, and professional diversity.

Therefore, the Selection Committee reviews the class composition as a whole when selecting candidates.

The Essential application is designed to lead you through a process to reflect on your civic, community and business leadership experiences and future goals.  Make sure to follow instructions and submit your application materials by June 12, 2024. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The selection committee will be looking for the following to be illustrated in your application: 

• A record of leadership and achievement in community/civic/business activities which indicates past and future leadership activity and ability.
• A demonstrated personal commitment to community service and to solving community problems. Leadership may be demonstrated through a variety of initiatives including traditional and non-traditional activities.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in and potential for creating positive change and being a strong leader for the common good of the entire community.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration and consensus.
• High standards of personal quality and integrity. 

Your full application will include the following (see Application Overview):

• Completed application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• An updated resume
• A head shot (head/shoulders, neutral background, at least 300 dpi resolutions preferred)
• A Scholarship Request Form (if applicable)
• A $40 application fee (application fee waived for previous applicants, see FAQ #4)

We strongly encourage applicants to consider attending an application review session before submitting which you can find under the Recruiting Information Sessions.

Essential applicants must submit two letters of recommendation using a form linked in the application.

Consider recommendations from individuals who can describe the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you well-suited for the Essential program. The best people to write letters of recommendation are those who know you well; have worked with you on a community project; have knowledge of your leadership skills and experience; and can write a heart-felt, first-hand testimonial on your behalf.

A diverse and anonymous Selection Committee is appointed by the Leadership Austin Board of Directors Executive Committee each year to ensure that participants in Essential represent the diversity and lived experiences of the Greater Austin community.

The Essential program consists of a two-day opening retreat and nine full-day sessions over the course of nine months (September through June).  Selected applicants will be expected to meet all of the following commitments for the Essential program of:

• 2-day, opening retreat (September 19-20, 2024)
• 9 full-day sessions once a month (review class dates, attendance policy, and other class policies)
• All classes will be 100% in-person*
  *Leadership Austin aligns with Austin Public Health guidelines and will adjust if circumstances change. 

In addition, class members will be invited to participate in activities outside of class to build stronger relationships with their classmates.

*Note: In recruiting materials you will see 10 full-day session dates. We hold a contingency date on your calendars in case one of the regular sessions is cancelled due to weather.

Attendance at the opening retreat, in its entirety, is mandatory. Individuals who arrive late or who are absent from the opening retreat will be dropped from the class. There is an allowance for a limited number of excused absence hours for the remaining class days. Review class dates, attendance policy, and other class policies.

Essential participants and alumni include individuals of many cultural traditions. Every effort is made to take these cultural observances into account when building the class schedule; however, this is not possible in every instance.

Applications are welcome from individuals living within the six-county (Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell and Hays) area who are committed to civic and community leadership roles. Because Essential curriculum frames its programming in a regional context, it is valuable to have participants representing all areas.  

Tuition for Essential is $4,000. Payment plans are available for class members who wish to pay tuition over time. Many employers also consider this program as professional development and we can provide additional information as you have that conversation. See FAQ #12 for scholarship information.

Yes. A core value of Leadership Austin is equity. In line with that value, tuition will not be a barrier to participation in the Essential program. Selection for Essential is made without regard to an applicant’s financial circumstances. Scholarship requests are considered only after the Essential selection process is complete and will in no way impact consideration of your application.

Applicants requesting assistance are asked to take full advantage of available employer training dollars, community organization support and their own personal capacity.  Scholarship requests must be submitted with the Essential application; we are not able to consider requests after the application deadline.

All applicants will be notified by late August.

Attend one of the Essential recruiting information sessions to talk with alumni, board members, and staff about the program and their personal experiences.

More questions? Please contact us and we’d be happy to answer them!