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Why choose the AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program?

No other program in the country matches this caliber of all-expenses-paid leadership development opportunity that incorporates training, personalized coaching, and mentoring tailored specifically for underrepresented neurology groups.

What to expect – program overview

The program will kick off October 23-25, 2025, and participants will graduate June 11-13, 2026.

• Assessment and prereading: Pre-assessment designed to help understand the strengths of different professional and communication styles.
• 90-minute content sessions: Sessions that introduce participants to critical leadership competencies with topics such as resilient leadership; cultivating emotional intelligence; leading groups and teams; conflict management; personal career strategy, and more.
• Group leadership learning circles: Monthly facilitated interactive and engaging forums that provide an in-depth exploration of current issues and trends that impact leaders and their organizations.
• Coaching: Monthly one-on-one coaching sessions with a consultant.
• Rotating learning partners cohort: Bi-monthly focus sessions with learning partners from the class.
• Mentoring: Participants will be matched with a mentor who is a current AAN leader.
• Face-to-face retreats/graduation: In-person participation is required at the program kickoff,  programming at the 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL (April 16-19), and for programming and the group project presentation to the AAN Board of Directors at the June Board meeting, located at the AAN headquarters in Minneapolis.
• Group project: Collaboration on an AAN-assigned group project to challenge, engage, and support each other’s learning and development. Project final recommendations to be presented to the AAN Board of Directors at the conclusion of the program.
• Engagement with the AAN: Learn about the AAN's governance, committees, and mission/vision, and engage with leadership.
• Alumni community: Engage with others in our exclusive leadership alumni community.

Time Commitment Note: Participants are required to attend all leadership meetings, coaching calls, and small group calls. Please plan to spend between 7-12 hours a month on mentor and coaching calls, research, and group project work as a part of the program. Please do not apply for this program if you are unable to invest this time.

How to apply – eligibility and application requirements

Eligibility

Eligible applicant must be a certified neurologist and active AAN member residing in the United States.*

* if you have unique circumstances and feel you are an exception to the eligibility criteria for this program, please contact us.

Application requirements

AAN members interested in participating in the program should submit the following documents in PDF format, in addition to your responses to the essay questions, as part of the application process:

• A letter of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae

Diversity Leadership Program grading rubric

• Leadership potential (weight = 40%)
• Self-awareness and understanding of leadership (weight = 30%)
• Alignment with program and leadership developmental needs (weight = 30%)

Selection

Preference will be given to applicants who have not completed any of the intensive AAN Leadership Programs. We consider the diversity and experience of the whole cohort beyond individual attributes to provide the best learning environment.

Look at what participants are saying!