World Affairs Council’s Global Leadership Fellows Program Kicks Off

A first-of-its-kind global leadership fellowship for early-career professionals in Atlanta has opened its application window for 2026 just as its inaugural cohort begins to benefit from the experience. 

The World Affairs Council of Atlanta received more than 50 applications for just 12 spots when launching the Global Leadership Fellows program last year. Applications opened once again this month and are due by April 15. 

“The impressive response reflects how hungry young Atlanta professionals are for a globally focused professional development experience,” says council President Rickey Bevington.

Since she took up the role as president in December 2021, Ms. Bevington became increasingly convinced that Atlanta was missing a key element in developing its human capital.

“Atlanta’s potential to compete in the 21st century depends on the strength of its workforce. To remain a world-class city, Atlantans need to continually develop world-class knowledge, expertise, and networks. Providing those opportunities is the mission of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta,” Ms. Bevington told Global Atlanta. 

The council hopes to replicate that appetite this year, especially after creating a track record and building a core group of fellows.

Sure to generate some chatter, the capstone of the program is an “international immersion” trip to Germany backed by the Atlanta-based Halle Foundation April 25 – May 3. The cities of Stuttgart, Berlin and Hamburg are on the itinerary. 

Targeted toward young leaders with five to 15 years of experience in the working world, the Global Leadership Fellows program blends tailored coaching and engagements at globally engaged organizations with carefully crafted master classes that bring budding leaders insights from expert voices in business, diplomacy and beyond. 

One example is this Friday’s class on Capital, where fellows will hear from executives in private equity, learn about Georgia’s international investment strategy, chat with Atlanta Beltline CEO Clyde Higgs and listen to former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young recount the city’s experience wooing the 1996 Olympics. 

“We want it to be cross-sector,” said Elena Fernandez, program manager for the fellowship, told Global Atlanta of the classes. “We want diversity of experience and diversity of sectors. We want people learning from one another and learning how this global economy really is.”

Ms. Bevington noted that the custom-built classes, tapping into the council’s extensive network, provide access not often afforded to young professionals who often find themselves in a murky middle when it comes to skills development. 

“The Global Leadership Fellows program fills a critical gap that many young professionals experience in the first decade or two of their careers. They are no longer eligible for school-based educational opportunities, but they lack the career seniority to access company-sponsored talent development,” she says. “Atlanta companies, civic organizations, and government bodies cannot afford to delay investing in their emerging leaders until mid-career.”

The kickoff class took place at The Carter Center and focused on “Diplomacy in Action,” featuring lectures and workshops from former diplomats and experts in cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution. 

Ms. Bevington, a former Marshall Memorial Fellow and a young leader of the French-American Foundation, has seen firsthand the transformative power of global leadership exchanges, including during her former career as a journalist. 

She said the generosity of companies and philanthropies is helping keep costs low, landing at just $1,000 for selected fellows. But more support is needed to ensure all qualified applicants can participate. 

Donations are still being sought toward financial support for needs-based scholarships and general program expenses, sponsorship of meals and international air travel and venue space or facilitation of behind-the-scenes tours. 

And, of course, Ms. Bevington said, encouraging one’s best and brightest employees to apply doesn’t hurt: Visit https://www.wacatlanta.org/glf to learn more. Go directly to the application form here.

• Meet the 2025 cohort: