More than a Program—A Strategic Pause for Transformational Leadership
Strategic Pause & Purpose
This space is intentionally designed as a strategic pause to reconnect with your deeper purpose and realign your inner compass with your outer contribution.
Sanctuary for Thought Leadership
A sanctuary for thought leaders, system shapers, and vision holders—a space to work on the project you always put on the side, refine your insights, develop your voice, and bring your heart-rooted ideas to life.
Shape & Share Contributions
Whether it’s a paper, a platform, a publication, a TED Talk, or a prototype, you’ll have the expert support and spaciousness to shape, write, and share your contribution with clarity and courage.
Lead from within.
Redefine leadership.
Transform systems.
If you would like to nominate a colleague, please contact us.
Fellowship Overview
For forward-thinking executives leading from within, driving innovation in leadership and the future of work through personal growth and organizational change. For those who need a strategic pause to realign with their inner compass and work on the project that they always put on the side.
Who It's For
Experienced executives: CEOs, C-suite leaders, senior strategists across business, government, philanthropy, and civil society.
The Challenge
Navigating complex, high-impact roles at the heart of systems under strain—facing converging crises and accelerating change.
The Solution
A strategic pause to realign your inner compass with your outer contribution, cultivating a new form of urgently needed leadership, and future of work, and unlock your thought leadership.
This program is a 7-month creative learning sanctuary. It is not a training, but a space to redefine what leadership means in an interconnected world.
You May Find Yourself Here If You Are:
At a threshold of leadership — where old paradigms no longer serve, and a more integrated, conscious approach is needed to meet systemic complexity.
Navigating complexity behind the scenes — managing competing demands, unseen tensions, and the quiet consequences of decisions that ripple across systems.
Craving time to recalibrate — to step out of urgency and reconnect with the deeper purpose behind your work.
Longing for true fellowship — with peers who can meet you in depth, candor, and shared commitment to meaningful change.
Ready to shape the future of leadership — through thought leadership that is wise, original, and resonant with what this moment—and the next—requires.
Called to steward a new chapter — not only in your personal journey, but in service to a more coherent, humane, and connected world.
The One Humanity Executive Fellows Program is a curated, invitation-based experience. We welcome expressions of interest from seasoned leaders who feel aligned with the spirit, values, and purpose of this fellowship.
Why Now
Your time is precious. So this program is not designed to take more. It is here to give back what matters most:
Clarity
Alignment
Coherence
Purpose
Focus
Core Dimensions of the Fellowship Experience
Cultivate Whole-Person, Whole-Being, and Whole-System Leadership
Engage in deep inquiry and reflective practice to align inner clarity with outer impact—embodying leadership that is coherent across self, relationships, and the systems we serve.
Activate Inner Development
Strengthen emotional intelligence, somatic awareness, intuitive perception, and values-based presence—developing the inner foundation necessary for navigating complexity with integrity.
Steward Collective Wisdom
Foster resonance, relational trust, and field-based dialogue within a peer community—where shared presence gives rise to emergent insight, courageous questions, and transformative understanding.
Generate Scholar-Practitioner Contribution
Shape original thought leadership—essays, frameworks, and applied insights that steward the future of leadership and work. Fellows contribute as systems seeders, helping to initiate and mentor the Emerging Leaders Institute, bridging generations through praxis and guidance.
Core Commitments of the Fellowship Journey
Immersive Retreats & Leadership Incubator
Two immersive 3-day retreats anchor the journey in depth, renewal, and embodied leadership, reimagining leadership from a whole-person, whole-system perspective. The Leadership & Future of Work Incubator within these retreats offers a dynamic space for exploration and co-developing innovations. The Incubator culminates in a cohort publication in the One Humanity Lab Journal and a curated panel conversation, sharing insights with the wider community.
Monthly Resonance Circles
Four 90-minute facilitated community sessions provide a consistent rhythm of inquiry, reflection, and peer support. These circles cultivate coherence, deepen integration, and sustain collective presence. Each session is co-facilitated by senior faculty from One Humanity Lab and the Fellows, embodying a collaborative learning model.
Thought Leadership Coaching Studio
The Studio is a dedicated space for a personalized, 12-hour coaching and mentorship journey—aligning inner clarity with outward expression. It supports Fellows in refining their voice, shaping their narrative, and cultivating authentic presence. Each Fellow develops a signature offering supported by expert guidance, often shared via keynotes, workshops, or the One Humanity Lab Journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fellowship's objectives?
The One Humanity Lab is a learning and innovation hub where leaders, coaches, educators, artists, and changemakers come together to cultivate whole-person, whole-being, and whole-system leadership, activate inner development, elevate global consciousness, and awaken a felt sense of connection to self, others, Earth, and the greater web of life
The One Humanity Executive Fellowship's objective aligns with the Lab's mission as follows:
- Develop Whole-Person, Whole-Being, and Whole-System Leadership Capacity: Equip Fellows to lead from a place of inner coherence, relational intelligence, and systemic awareness—integrating self, organization, and society.
- Support Inner Transformation as a Foundation for Systemic Change: Create space for reflection, healing, and embodiment—recognizing that sustainable leadership begins with personal alignment and integrity.
- Advance Scholar–Practitioner Thought Leadership Guide Fellows in developing original contributions—frameworks, essays, models, or public offerings—that influence the future of leadership and work.
- Foster Intergenerational Field-Building Position Fellows as mentors and system seeders—supporting the launch of the Emerging Leaders Institute and engaging across One Humanity Lab's multigenerational ecosystem.
- Cultivate a Fellowship of Practice and Contribution: Build a trusted community of executive leaders committed to shared inquiry, relational depth, and ethical responsibility.
Through this fellowship, participants not only support one another's growth but also become part of a broader living network—contributing to the GW CEPL ecosystem as educators, facilitators, and thought partners in advancing the future of leadership and work.
Is this a leadership development program or an academic program?
This Fellowship is an executive education scholar–practitioner experience, blending rigorous inquiry, reflective practice, and real-world leadership impact. It is not a coaching certification, but it includes coaching support and thought leadership development.
What is your philosophy of learning and teaching?
A Living Field of Learning
Learning is not content delivery—it's an emergent, relational field where insight arises through presence, dialogue, and inquiry.
Everyone Is a Learner, Everyone Is a Teacher
We honor the lived experience of each Fellow. Leadership wisdom is shared, not imposed—creating a space where co-learning is the foundation.
Scholar–Practitioner Approach
Fellows engage as both reflective leaders and contributors to the evolving field—shaping frameworks, insights, and narratives grounded in practice.
Coherence as a Leadership Capacity
We develop leaders who can align inner clarity, relational depth, and systemic awareness—cultivating leadership that feels as true as it is effective.
Field-Based Thought Leadership
Contributions are not theoretical—they emerge from lived experience, embodied presence, and collective exploration of what leadership is becoming.
Do I need to have a project already in mind?
No. Your Thought Leadership Offering will emerge organically throughout the Fellowship. You'll be supported to clarify, shape, and refine your contribution with faculty and mentors.
Are the retreats required?
Yes. The two retreats are core anchors of the Fellowship and serve as catalytic bookends for the entire journey. They are intentionally designed to create space—away from daily demands—for deep reflection, authentic connection, and embodied leadership practice.
We understand the intense time constraints executives face, which is why the program limits major in-person commitments to just two gatherings across the 7-month arc. These retreats are not just events—they are transformative inflection points that make the rest of the journey more meaningful, coherent, and impactful.
Think of them not as time away from your leadership—but as time with your leadership, in its most essential form.
What is the time commitment?
The Fellowship is designed with the realities of executive leadership in mind. It is a focused 7-month journey that prioritizes depth, flexibility, and impact—without overwhelming your schedule.
Core time commitments include:
- Two immersive 3-day retreats (in-person one in Washington DC & one in UK-TBD, at the beginning and end of the Fellowship)
- Four 90-minute Monthly Resonance Circles (online, co-facilitated sessions)
- 12 hours of 1:1 executive coaching and mentorship, media advising and writing guidance, scheduled flexibly to meet your needs through the Thought Leadership Coaching Studio.
- Self-paced time for reflective inquiry, integration, and creation of your thought leadership offering
- Development of a signature thought leadership piece (article, framework, or model), with the opportunity to present your insights through a curated panel conversation to the broader One Humanity Lab and GW CEPL communities.
Most Fellows dedicate an average of 4–6 hours per month, outside of the retreats. The program is intentionally paced to allow spaciousness for emergence while supporting meaningful personal and systemic transformation. This is not a high-volume course—it's a high-integrity learning arc designed to meet you at the level of your leadership.
What are the eligibility requirements?
The One Humanity Executive Fellows Program is designed for experienced, purpose-driven leaders who are navigating complex systems and feel called to contribute to the future of leadership and work through reflection, innovation, and field-based contribution.
Ideal candidates will:
- Hold a senior leadership role (e.g., CEO, executive director, senior strategist, or equivalent) in business, government, philanthropy, civil society, or education
- Have at least 15 years of leadership experience, ideally with responsibility across teams, organizations, or systems
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to inner development, systems change, and social purpose
- Be ready to engage in deep inquiry, reflection, and thought leadership
- Show openness to participatory, relational, and generative learning environments
- Have the capacity to engage fully in both the retreats and virtual components of the 7-month journey
- Be motivated to contribute to the broader ecosystem of One Humanity Lab and GW CEPL through mentorship, facilitation, or public scholarship
Participation is by invitation, nomination, or direct inquiry. If you feel called to this work or would like to recommend a candidate, please reach out to begin the conversation.
What's the application process?
The One Humanity Executive Fellows Program is a curated, invitation-based experience. We welcome expressions of interest from seasoned leaders who feel aligned with the spirit, values, and purpose of this fellowship.
There are three ways to engage:
- By Invitation
Selected candidates will receive a personal invitation from One Humanity Lab at GW CEPL to explore their fit for the fellowship.
- By Nomination
Colleagues, mentors, or organizational partners may nominate a leader who embodies the values of whole-person, whole-system leadership. - By Expression of Interest
If you resonate with this journey and would like to be considered, you may submit a letter of interest outlining:
Letters of interest may be submitted HERE
- Your current leadership context and responsibilities
- Why you feel called to this fellowship at this point in your journey
- What you hope to explore, contribute, and carry forward as part of this experience
What are the selection criteria?
Participants are selected based on:
- Depth of leadership experience and strategic responsibility
- Readiness for reflective inquiry and systems thinking
- Commitment to stewarding leadership as a force for collective good
- Capacity to engage with integrity, humility, and openness
We aim to curate a diverse, globally minded cohort of executives who are eager to learn with and from one another across sectors, generations, and geographies.
What is the program timeline?
|
Milestone |
Date |
|
Fellowship Launch & Invitations Open |
October 15, 2025 |
|
Nominations & Expressions of Interest Due |
December 20, 2025 |
|
Fellowship Interviews Conducted |
January 6 – February 7, 2026 |
|
Final Cohort Confirmed |
February 21, 2026 |
|
Orientation Session (Virtual) |
March 17, 2026 |
|
Immersive Retreat I- Washington, DC |
April 24–26, 2026 (in-person) |
|
Monthly Resonance Circles Begin |
May 2026 (1/month, virtual) |
|
1:1 Coaching & Project Work |
May–October 2026 |
|
Thought Leadership Submission Window |
September–October 2026 |
|
Leadership Panel & Final Article Publishing |
October 2026 |
|
Immersive Retreat II & Closing Harvest- UK |
October 23–25, 2026 (in-person) |
|
Integration & Ongoing Fellowship |
Ongoing - November 2026 |
How to Join
The One Humanity Executive Fellows Program is by invitation only and designed for senior leaders ready to make a meaningful contribution to the future of leadership and work. If you’ve been invited—or feel this may be the next right step in your journey—please contact us directly to express your interest.
Join us on this transformative journey to elevate your leadership and our shared humanity!
Join the Inaugural Cohort!
The journey begins March 2026
Invitations, Nominations & Expressions of Interest Due by
December 20, 2025
Whole System Leadership
Engage in deep inquiry and reflective practice to align inner clarity with outer impact.
Redefining the Future of Leadership & Work
Explore and co-develop innovations in a dynamic space, shaping new paradigms.
Generate Scholar-Practitioner Contribution
Shape original thought leadership—essays, frameworks, and applied insights.
