2026-27 Executive Coaching for Surge Alumni: Who Is Eligible + How to Apply

We're excited to open applications for 2026-27 Surge Alumni Executive Coaching, a targeted leadership development opportunity within our national alumni programming.

What It Is 

Coaching is one way Surge helps alumni move past leadership roadblocks that can limit their impact in their organizations, communities, and the broader education field. Coaching centers on your individual leadership development. We're especially interested in how that growth helps you move meaningful work forward.

This year, select 15 alumni will receive up to five coaching sessions with an executive coach.

Who We Are Looking For

This year, we're prioritizing alumni at an inflection point: positioned to hold more influence or move more work, but facing a leadership challenge that coaching can help them navigate. These alumni are aiming to change the policies, practices, organizations, or decisions that shape outcomes for young people, families, and communities of color, beyond their own role.

You may be a strong fit if you are:

• Stepping into a new role, such as a senior seat with significant budget or decision-making authority

• Running for office, newly elected, or joining a board or advisory body

• Leading a venture at a scaling threshold, working through challenges like delegating, hiring, or managing a board

• Driving a live initiative, policy effort, or coalition that is stalled by challenges like managing up, influencing stakeholders, or navigating politics

• One step from a role like these, with a specific roadblock to overcome, such as preparing for a promotion or managing up

Coaching can support challenges such as managing up and influencing, navigating a promotion or leadership transition, exploring a career change toward greater impact, strengthening executive skills, and advancing an initiative or venture.

What Strong Applications Look Like

We're not looking for the most polished writing. We're looking for clarity. Strong applications tend to:

• Name a specific leadership challenge, not a general wish to grow

• Explain who or what is affected if the challenge is resolved, whether students, a team, a budget, a community, or a policy

• Describe a timely moment, such as a transition, launch, campaign, or decision, that falls within the coaching window

• Say why coaching is the right support right now

Coaching may not be the best fit if your goals are purely personal with no connection to your work. If your organization already provides coaching, consider whether Surge's support is the right fit at this time. And if you're unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply and tell us your story. We'll also point you to other Surge offerings if coaching isn't the right match.

Key Dates

• November 2, 2026: Applications due

• November 18, 2026: Coach matching and introductions

• March 1, 2027: Sessions must be completed (they can begin once you're connected with your coach)

Questions? Reach out to the Alumni Impact Team at alumni@surgeinstitute.org!

Learn more and apply today.