Skip to main content

Overview

Since 1986, Leadership Greater Washington (LGW) has developed 2,000 executive leaders from DC, Northern Virginia, and Suburban Maryland through its flagship offering, the Signature Program— an intensive 10-month program that exposes professionals to regional civic issues through education, connection, and knowledge sharing.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Signature Program is to leverage collective knowledge and resources to make the Greater Washington region a more dynamic and collaborative community.

Program Strategies

  • The Signature Program builds a supportive network of diverse, authentic, and supportive relationships that cross all sectors and industries.
  • Participants identify regional community challenges and opportunities.
  • The program inspires collaboration within the LGW community and civic impact in the Washington, DC region. 

A Forum for Collaborative Action

The Signature Program provides an opportunity for Greater Washington’s most accomplished leaders to make a collective social impact. Each year, approximately 60 leaders are competitively selected to represent the professional and individual diversity of the Greater Washington region as the LGW Signature Class. Participants hail from a variety of professional sectors including nonprofit, corporate, government, and small- and large-business entrepreneurship.

When leaders join LGW’s 10-month Signature Program, they connect with change-makers from a diversity of social, cultural, and professional backgrounds. Together, they forge meaningful relationships, exchange trusted counsel, and cultivate progress from common ground. It’s the beginning of life-long connections with each other, and with LGW where, whether these leaders are tackling affordable housing, public safety, or transportation issues, they can always find great minds uniting for a greater purpose. 

Past program days topics have included; diversity, equity and inclusion, education, regionalism, human needs, inclusiveness and belonging, public safety, community health, workforce development, and environmental sustainability.

Additional Information

Class of 2026 Program Dates
  • September 10, 2025 (3:30-7pm) – Orientation
  • September 18 & 19, 2025 – Opening Retreat with overnight stay
  • October 9, 2025
  • November 13, 2025
  • December 4, 2025
  • January 15 & 16, 2026
  • February 12, 2026
  • March 19, 2026
  • April 23, 2026
  • May 14, 2026
  • June 11 & 12, 2026 - Closing Retreat with overnight stay
Class of 2025 Application

Applications for the Signature Program Class of 2026 are closed.

Tuition/Scholarship Details

Tuition:
$7,500  

  • Covers the cost of monthly program days and overnight retreats
  • Includes one ticket to LGW’s anchor events and access to other member events

Scholarships:
If you require tuition assistance, you may apply for it towards the end of the online application. Signature Program Scholarship Awards are based on an applicant's needs and the funds available. Every request will receive a confidential, thorough assessment and every effort will be made to be supportive of individuals who cannot otherwise afford the tuition. LGW offers partial financial assistance; awards generally do not exceed 50% of the full tuition amount. A request for tuition assistance does not influence the decision of the Selection Committee.

LEARN MORE

Reference Letters

Each Signature Program application requires two reference letters. References should be people that can speak to the applicant's character as a person and/or a leader. If possible, we encourage applicants to have a reference from a past Signature Program participant.

Reference letters should include the reference's connection to the applicant, speak to the applicant's character as a person and/or leader, and discuss the applicant's community and civic involvement. References should email their letters directly to LGW staff at info@lgwdc.org.

Ideal Candidate
  • Holds a senior title in their organization such as Partner, CEO, Executive Director, SVP, VP, Managing Director, or Director
  • Prominent influencer in their industry
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community
  • Based in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, or Suburban Maryland