The Western Governors’ Foundation (WGF) is pleased to announce dates for the 2025 Western Governors’ Leadership Institute. This program is designed to recognize, reward, and promote the effective exercise of leadership by young adults across the West. Every year the foundation selects young adults to represent their states, territories, and tribes as institute delegates. Delegates attend a one-day leadership development forum featuring intimate conversations with Governors, chief executive officers, and other prominent thought leaders. They also attend the Annual Meeting of the Western Governors’ Association as guests of WGF. The foundation covers all expenses associated with delegate participation.
Applicants for the Leadership Forum must be between the ages of 21 and 26 years old on June 22, 2025. They must also be permanent residents of western states or territories whose Governor is an active member of WGA: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Enrolled members of Federal and State Recognized Tribes living in the West are also eligible to apply.
To apply, please email foundation manager Anna Caplan at [email protected].
November 18 – Application window opens
February 7 - Application window closes
March 14 – Delegation announced
June 22 – Leadership Forum in Santa Fe, New Mexico
June 23-25 – WGA Annual Meeting
To financially support the Western Governors' Leadership Institute, please contact Jim Ogsbury at [email protected]. or visit https://western-governors-association.square.site/.
Please direct any questions or inquiries about the Western Governors’ Leadership Institute to Anna Thielen at [email protected] or 720.897.4539
To learn more about partnership opportunities, and to financially support the Western Governors’ Leadership Institute, please contact Sarah Olsen at [email protected] or 720.897.4540.
The Western Governors’ Association represents the Governors of the 22 westernmost states and territories. The Association is an instrument for bipartisan policy development, information exchange and collective action on issues of critical importance to the Western United States. The Western Governors’ Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Association. Guided by a bipartisan board of directors, the Foundation pursues charitable causes to promote the well-being of Western residents.
