Hallo good people,

Below are a few excellent suggestions for leadership programs around the city. I did stay away from programs that are exclusive to organization members so no membership required for these programs. My quick take on everything is these programs are beneficial when utilized in the sense you complete the program and take advantage of the alumni connections. And most of the organizations will do alumni mixers that are always a great opportunity to meet other leaders in the Greater Atlanta area.

This post is updated at the start of each month, so check back regularly for the latest additions and updates. Updated 3/4/26

As a business in the Atlanta community, we are inviting you to join the Atlanta Business Showcase Directory. Listing your business ensures visibility to planners for major citywide events including FIFA World Cup 2026™. If you are not currently an ACVB member, please the complete this application to add your listing. To edit your existing listing, email [email protected].
If you are a current ACVB member, you are already included in this directory. You can update your listing at any time through ACVB’s member portal here.

The Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program is a 10-month leadership program where participants lead monthly volunteer projects, work with nonprofit partners, recruit and manage volunteers, and attend leadership development sessions. This program is suited for professionals who want hands-on leadership experience in the nonprofit and civic space, particularly those interested in community service, board readiness, and expanding their local impact. It is a strong fit for business and creative professionals looking to combine professional growth with meaningful civic engagement.

Application Deadline: TBA

Leadership Georgia is a year-long leadership program for professionals who want a deeper understanding of how Georgia works across business, government, and community sectors. The program includes five multi-day sessions held in different regions of the state, exposing participants to economic, policy, and social issues beyond their local market. It’s a good fit for mid-career leaders who are already active in their field and ready to think and operate at a statewide level. Participants build a strong cross-sector network and gain practical insight they can apply to leadership roles, boards, and community initiatives.

Andre’s Note: This program will have activates across the state if accepted. It also only accepts 50 applicants so the competition is very competitive, come correct!

Leadership Gwinnett is a nine-month, immersive leadership development program designed for established professionals who want to deepen their impact in Gwinnett County. Running roughly from August through May, the program combines monthly full-day sessions, retreats, and hands-on community exposure to give participants a clear, behind-the-scenes understanding of Gwinnett’s business, civic, education, public safety, and nonprofit ecosystems. Participants gain a strong peer network, direct access to local decision-makers, and a broader perspective on how the county operates and where leadership is needed most. The program requires a serious time commitment and tuition (with limited scholarships available), making it best suited for senior-level professionals, executives, and community leaders ready to invest in both personal growth and long-term civic engagement.

New Leaders Council runs the NLC Institute, a six-month, in-person leadership fellowship for rising changemakers rooted in local communities who are ready to grow their skills, deepen their impact, and build networks across sectors. Fellows meet for training in strategic communications, fundraising, coalition building, digital organizing, public policy and advocacy, and equity-centered leadership, culminating in a capstone project that applies these skills to a real community challenge. The program is place-based and equity-focused, bringing together diverse leaders from nonprofit, government, business, and other fields and adapting a national curriculum to local needs. Participants gain practical skills, a national network of values-aligned leaders, and lifelong connections that help them advance collective impact and community-driven change.

Square One Startup School is a virtual pre-accelerator built for early-stage and first-time tech founders who are turning an idea into a real, testable business. The program focuses on core fundamentals like idea validation, customer discovery, MVP development, go-to-market strategy, and early traction, while providing structure, accountability, and access to experienced operators through weekly programming and office hours. Participants leave with practical assets such as a clearer business model, customer framework, and pitch readiness, without giving up equity, making it a strong option for founders who want guidance and momentum at the very beginning stage.

United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) is a board leadership training program that prepares individuals to serve effectively on nonprofit boards and in other civic leadership roles. Participants go through structured training on nonprofit governance, fundraising, strategic planning, financial oversight, and other leadership skills. Upon completion, they earn a recognized credential and join a network of thousands of alumni engaged in nonprofit leadership across the region. VIP typically runs in spring, summer, and fall, with a modest commitment fee and a fundraising requirement for each cohort. Apply if you want nonprofit board experience, leadership skill development, and deeper community impact.

Andre’s Note: I completed this program during Covid so we weren’t able to meet in-person which would have made it a better experience. And at one point I use to receive emails about open board opportunities. I am not aware if they still continue this though but hopefully they do. This is a good program to meet other young professionals and flex your fundraising muscles.

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) is a 9-month accelerator program for early-stage, Atlanta-based women entrepreneurs, powered by the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. Designed to help founders scale their ventures with strategy, community, and real-world support, WEI blends mentorship, training, partnerships, and access to capital into a structured growth pathway. Enrollment in each cohort is competitive, with only 15 founders selected for intensive support and guided progress.

Application Deadline: 2026 applications have not been opened yet, check back for periodic updates.

2025 Requirements:

The Showcase Atlanta Digital Marketing Grant is a growth initiative designed to help small businesses within the City of Atlanta scale revenue through strategic digital advertising. This program is specifically designed for customer-facing businesses that rely on in-person traffic and local consumer engagement. Priority will be given to retail, food and beverage, personal services, wellness, and other businesses where digital advertising can directly increase walk-in customers, appointments, or local sales.

As a business in the Atlanta community, we are inviting you to join the Atlanta Business Showcase Directory. Listing your business ensures visibility to planners for major citywide events including FIFA World Cup 2026™.
If you are not currently an ACVB member, please the complete this application to add your listing. To edit your existing listing, email [email protected].

Top 40 winners will participate in the Showcase at the Georgia Technology Summit on April 30, 2026, and are automatically entered in the competition for the TAG Top 10 award. The Top 10 companies will have the opportunity to make a three-minute presentation, focused on their innovations, to the Summit’s 1,000+ attendees. The Georgia Technology Summit will be an in-person event, and each recognized Top 40 company will be required to purchase an exhibit space at the Showcase (in a trade show format) and 2 passes for $1,500.

Nominations & Applications are now open for the 2026 Georgia Fast 40 Awards. To be considered for this prestigious recognition, we will need to provide your year-end 2023, 2024, and 2025 annual revenues and employee headcount for 2023, 2024, and 2025. This information will only be used for selection purposes and will not be shared beyond a small evaluation team.

Andre’s Note: This is a very exclusive award to win and the competition is tough to say the least based on past winners. Be prepared and ready to present your strongest work, as a high level of professionalism and quality is expected.

Hey folks, Andre here to say Render ATL has several opportunities for you to get plugged in whether you want to be a speaker or nominate yourself for consideration for The Commits Award. Below are the key links to view more information:

The Best Places to Work Awards recognize local employers that have gone above and beyond to create an outstanding workplace culture. The rankings are based on confidential surveys conducted by our partner, Quantum Workplace, of employees that measure success in team dynamics, trust in leadership, communication and more, with only the top-scoring companies in the region earning the coveted right to be named one of the Best Places to Work.

On September 10, 2026 Atlanta Business Chronicle will release its 31st annual ranking of Atlanta’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies (Pacesetters). The companies will be honored during a special reception and awards program.

The annual Women of Influence Awards recognize the most influential business women from every industry and profession in metro Atlanta. Winners will be honored during a special awards ceremony October 8 and featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on October 9th 2026.

Atlanta Business Chronicle is looking for Atlanta’s next class of Healthiest Employers! This award program honors organizations that are taking proactive measures to better the lives of their employees through innovative programs, leadership commitment and program ROI. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on August 27, 2026 and will be highlighted in a special section of Atlanta Business Chronicle.