Inaugural OLN USA Regional Convening, 2026

Published on September 10, 2026

Do you live in the US and work on US-based issues (whether nationally, regionally and/or locally?) Then apply before September 15th for the inaugural Obama Leadership Network USA Regional Convening, taking place from December 11-13, 2026 on the sidelines of the Foundation’s Democracy Forum in Chicago!

The dual goals of this gathering are to deepen existing ties while fostering new cross-cohort and cross-issue relationships across the US, and to catalyze light-touch collaborations that help meet the moment by channeling values-based leadership toward a brighter future for the country. This event will complete the series of OLN Regional Convenings (“Reunions”) that launched in 2023, and will be the second OLN Convening at the Obama Presidential Center.

Selected participants will attend the Foundation’s Democracy Forum for the first day of the reunion ("Inspire"), followed by two dedicated days for this cohort to form meaningful relationships ("Connect"), and support each other's leadership challenges, while exploring new ways to work together toward a brighter future for democratic culture and values across the US ("Empower"). 

IMPORTANT: Alumni from all Obama Foundation leadership programs - including but not limited to Leaders USA program alumni - can apply IF they currently live in the United States and working on US issues (at the national, regional, and/or local levels).

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