HOPE Regional Leadership Institute - Central Valley
Welcome to HOPE's Regional Leadership Institute - Central Valley!
This is your go-to resource for everything related to HOPE’s Regional Leadership Institute in the Central Valley. Here, you’ll find application materials, cohort announcements, program requirements, and region-specific details. The Central Valley cohort serves changemakers and aspiring leaders from across Fresno, Kings, and San Joaquin counties, offering a tailored leadership development experience rooted in the needs and opportunities of the region.
Access more information about HOPE’s Regional Leadership Institute here!
The HOPE Regional Leadership Institute - Central Valley 2025 Application is Open!
Required Qualifications
This is a multigenerational cohort intended for entry-level and mid-career professionals, as well as senior and executive-level professionals, who are seeking to launch their skills and knowledge in local advocacy. This program is best suited for those who want to explore the basic mechanics of local processes including how local school boards, cities, counties and special districts work and the internal and external influences that determine outcomes.
HOPE Regional Leadership Institute Participants must:
- Reside in a designated HOPE Regional Leadership Institute area.
- Be a civically engaged resident with at least 3 years of local activism — for example, community education, public speaking at government meetings/townhalls, voter engagement.
- Have a demonstrated record of readiness for an increasing leadership role in your community.
- Be over the age of 20.
The HOPE Regional Leadership Institute does not require a college degree or previous engagement with HOPE to participate.
We consider all applicants without regard to race, gender identity or expression.
Application
To be considered for the HOPE Regional Leadership Institute, please submit an online application that includes the following:
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- A headshot (preferably high-resolution .png or.jpeg). No selfies, please.
- A $25 nonrefundable Application Fee
- One letter of recommendation. Recommendations from HLI alumnae are encouraged but not required.
You may only apply to one Regional Leadership Insitute, and it must be within your area of residence.
HOPE’s Designated Regions for the Central Valley Region
Below are the counties within HOPE’s Central Valley Regional Leadership Institute program boundaries, including incorporated cities and unincorporated communities.
County of Fresno
- Incorporated Cities: Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota, San Joaquin, Fresno, Clovis, Coalinga, Fowler, Huron, Kingsburg, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, and Selma.
- Unincorporated Communities: Auberry, Big Creek, Biola, Burrel, Calwa, Cantua Creek, Caruthers, Centerville, Easton, Five Points, Helm, Herndon, Highway City, Rolinda, Tranquillity, Fig Garden, Pinedale, Del Rey, Lanare, Laton, Malaga, Raisin City, Riverdale, Friant, Prather, Squaw Valley, Dinkey Creek, Huntington Lake, Pine Flat, Shaver Lake, Tarpey Village, Minkler, Pinehurst, Miramonte, and Wonder Valley.
County of San Joaquin
- Incorporated Cities: Stockton, Lathrop, Manteca, Lodi, Escalon, Ripon, Tracy, and Mountain House.
- Unincorporated Communities: Acampo, August, Banta, Carbona, Clements, Country Club, Fair Oaks, Farmington, French Camp, Garden Acres, Holt, Kennedy, Lincoln Village, Linden, Lockeford, Morada, Peters, Terminous, Thornton, Vernalis, Victor, Waterloo, and Woodbridge.
County of Kings
- Incorporated Cities: Corcoran, Hanford, Avenal, and Lemoore.
- Unincorporated Communities: Armona, Grangeville, Hardwick, Home Garden, Kettleman City, Santa Rosa Indian Rancheria (Tachi Yokut Tribe), and Stratford.
Session Dates & Locations
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Session 1: Welcome & Education
Full Cohort meets in-person in Stockton.
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Session 2 – City Governance
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City of Stockton:
Virtual: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
In Person: Friday, October 17, 2025 -
City of Fresno:
Virtual: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
In Person: Friday, November 7, 2025 -
City of Hanford:
Virtual: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
In Person: Saturday, November 8, 2025 -
Session 3: County Governance
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County of San Joaquin:
Virtual: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
In Person: Friday, January 23, 2026 -
County of Fresno:
Virtual: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
In Person: Friday, February 20, 2026 -
County of Kings:
Virtual: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
In Person: Saturday, February 21, 2026 -
Session 4: Special Districts & Graduation
Full Cohort meets in-person in Fresno.
Explore our Alumnae Roster
Access our interactive Alumnae Roster – a database featuring hundreds of professional profiles of accomplished and emerging Latina leaders.
Contact
To learn more about the HOPE Regional Institute – Central Valley, please contact Fernanda Santiago, Senior Manager.