Global Health Corps Leadership Accelerators equip early-career global and public professionals with the skills, networks, and support to drive change right now—while staying in their current roles.
We run two geographically-adapted fellowship programs—one currently in East and Southern Africa and one across the United States. Both deliver award-winning curriculum through a cohort-based model and build a global community of leaders committed to advancing health equity.
Applications for our 2026-2027 Leadership Accelerators in Africa & the U.S. are now open through March 19th!
GHC’s Leadership Accelerators support a critical but often overlooked part of the health workforce: non-clinical, early-career professionals who are poised to step into greater responsibility.
Public and global health professionals ages 21-35 who live and are authorized to work in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, or Zambia.
Public health professionals ages 21-30 from across the U.S.
These nine month hybrid programs are designed for rising leaders already working full-time in non-clinical global and/or public health roles.
Changemakers who want to bolster their retention and impact through committed to personal and professional development and integration into a supportive global network.
Public and global health are chronically underinvested in. Health systems worldwide are stretched thin, struggling with workforce shortages, burnout, and limited resources to address growing inequities.
Global and public health leaders face immense challenges right now, from funding and policy constraints to heightened community needs. With the right support, they can step up and meet this moment with resilience.
Experiential learning is much more effective than traditional public health training alone to build critical 21st-century leadership skills: adaptability, collaboration, systems thinking, change navigation. Leadership development programs that apply a networked approach are more transformative than those focused on individuals alone.
Those most proximate to historically marginalized communities remain underrepresented at top levels of health leadership. A world with more decision makers who are women, Africans, BIPOC individuals, and people with lived experience navigating health inequities will be a healthier world.
But here’s what we know: leadership is a force multiplier. When you invest in developing the skills and capacity of emerging health leaders, the impact ripples outward — strengthening teams, improving program outcomes, and building more resilient health systems.
Our fellows don’t just grow as leaders. They drive measurable change in their organizations and health systems. Here’s what our evaluation data shows:
of fellows report that their engagement with GHC contributed to their professional achievements in the past 12 months.
of fellows assumed greater leadership roles (e.g. received promotions, expanded their scope) during the fellowship.
of supervisors reported that fellows were positive or critical to the success of their organizations—and noted the concrete value of GHC-supported stretch projects.
Since fellows began the program, supervisors saw significant improvements in:
confidence in their role.
introducing new ideas and strategies.
communication and collaboration skills
decision-making and critical thinking capabilities.
opportunities to mentor and manage others.
“GHC fellows are driven to improve existing skills and professional development and do so in the context of the organization who benefit from their work and learning in real time. It’s the definition of a win-win.”
The Leadership Accelerators are 9-month hybrid programs that run annually from September through May. Fellows continue working in their current roles while receiving:
Executive coaching tailored to their leadership development goals
Monthly virtual Leadership Academy Workshops Deep dive trainings built into the workday
Global advisors and peer mentors who provide guidance and support
In-person retreats for deep learning and relationship building
Skills and frameworks to apply to their current work in real time
Traditional leadership development often focuses on individual achievement and technical expertise. GHC takes a different approach. We support fellows to develop seven evidence-based competencies that are essential for cultivating effective, collaborative, and influential leaders.
Self-Awareness
Understanding your strengths, values, and impact on others
Systems Thinking
Analyzing complex systems and identifying leverage points for change
Teaming & Collaboration
Building trust and working effectively across differences
Communication
Inspiring others and mobilizing action through storytelling
Strategic Thinking
Setting goals, making decisions, and navigating complexity
Equity & Inclusion
Centering marginalized voices and dismantling inequitable systems
Adaptive Leadership
Navigating change, managing ambiguity,
To equip fellows with the tools to catalyze these competencies, our award-winning curriculum is designed and delivered by team members who are nationals of each country where we operate, bringing deep knowledge and understanding of local, national, and regional health challenges.
Fellows develop deeper self-awareness, learning to leverage their strengths, understand their impact on others, and recognize who they need on their team to create positive change.
Fellows focus on extending and leveraging their networks, building collaborative relationships with others whose skills, perspectives, knowledge, and networks complement their own.
Fellows explore how change happens in complex systems, learning to organize key stakeholders, build coalitions, and design human-centered interventions. Topics include advocacy, adaptive leadership, and leading through uncertainty.
Throughout the program, fellows implement what they’re learning in real time and organizations see immediate results.
“This journey has been truly transformative, from sharpening my leadership skills and strengthening my voice as a young, African, Black woman in global health to deepening my commitment to driving meaningful change.”
100+ hours of leadership training
Monthly virtual workshops (built into workday)
Learning circles with cohort members
Access to influential speakers
Executive one-on-one coaching
360° assessment
Alumni mentorship
GHC staff support and check-ins
In-person retreats (all costs covered) Integration into global alumni network Cross-continental peer exchanges Lifelong access to GHC community
Individual stretch projects Immediate application to current work Supervisor collaboration Organizational impact
When fellows complete the programs, they join GHC’s lifelong network of 1,300+ alumni. Our alumni program continues to provide leadership development opportunities, networking, and support long after the fellowship ends.
Not sure which program is right for you? Both programs offer a similar curriculum, tailored to local context, and follow the same timeline. The key differences are geographic eligibility and the application process. Visit each program page to learn more about specific requirements.
For public and global health professionals ages 21-35 hailing from and working in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, or Zambia.
For public health professionals ages 21-30 working across the U.S.
