The opportunity
At The BUILD Health Challenge® (BUILD), we believe that community health improves through community-centered, cross-sector collaboratives. We also know that people are at the heart of that work. Through the BUILD National Network, we aim to recognize and invest in the individuals who move community health forward through bold, upstream, integrated, local, and data-driven approaches. Whether you are continuing to drive your cross-sector collaboration or have taken on a new role in your community, your leadership matters.
With that in mind, we’re excited to share a new leadership development opportunity for BUILD National Network members: the 2026 Leadership Cohort, offered in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) and their expert team of educators in leadership development.
Up to 25 BUILD alumni will be selected to come together with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), a leading provider of executive education and leadership development, for a deep dive on influential communication and effective decision-making. This cohort includes one virtual session on October 14th at 11am PST / 2pm EST as well as a two-day in-person intensive at the CCL campus in Greensboro, NC on November 9-10. Participants will be expected to travel November 8th and depart on the evening of November 10th. There is no cost to participate; program-related travel expenses will be covered by BUILD.
Who is this for?
For those of you who spend so much time pouring into your communities, we want to offer an opportunity to pour into yourself by harnessing your capacity, confidence, and connection to other leaders.
Cohort participation is for BUILD National Network leaders who are ready to sharpen how they show up in complex, high-stakes spaces. Whether you are a leader in formal or informal spaces – this is an opportunity to give back to you! Participants bring their BUILD experience and beyond, and are looking to strengthen their influence, decision-making, and impact as leaders by sharpening their existing skills and gaining tools to communicate and advocate with greater impact. Participants may come from any sector, including nonprofit, public health, healthcare, or community resident leadership, and must share a commitment to advancing health equity in their communities.
Defining leadership: We encourage folks at any level of their leadership journey – including both formal and informal roles – to apply if you feel the learning goals and approach of this training would be applicable and relevant to you. If you want a place to reflect on a particular challenge or opportunity while growing your framework for the future, this is it.
Participants may come from any sector, including nonprofit, public health, healthcare, or community resident leadership, and must share a commitment to advancing health equity in their communities.
Accepted participants will deepen their skills through program sessions, build meaningful connections with peers across the BUILD network, and leave with practical leadership tools and skills they can apply immediately in their work.
What will I gain?
By the end of this experience, participants will be able to:
- Strengthen how they show up and influence decision-making in complex, high-stakes spaces;
- Apply practical tools and frameworks to make more confident, effective decisions;
- Build meaningful peer relationships across the BUILD National Network; and
- Apply what they learn to a real leadership challenge they are facing in their work.
What is the commitment?
Selected participants must be able to attend the full program including: one virtual pre-session on October 14 at 11am PST / 2pm ET and a two-day in-person intensive on November 9–10, 2026, at the CCL campus in Greensboro, NC (incoming travel day: November 8).
Apply Here
