Participant Profile

Stanford LEAD participants (LEADers) are ambitious, globally minded professionals seeking to expand their leadership capabilities, strengthen strategic thinking, and increase their impact in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Who Joins LEAD

LEADers come from a wide range of industries, functions, and regions, and share a common drive to navigate complexity, lead through change, and grow alongside a highly accomplished global community of peers.

Successful participants are:

Ambitious, collaborative, and intellectually curious
Seeking practical learning that can be applied directly to real-world business challenges
Navigating industries and roles being reshaped by technology and AI
Committed to strengthening leadership capability while balancing the demands of work and life
Motivated to learn alongside a diverse, high-achieving global cohort

Learning Goals and Eligibility

Learning Goals

Professionals join LEAD to build the business, leadership, and innovation capabilities needed to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI, technological disruption, and evolving workforce dynamics.

Common goals include:

Strengthening leadership and decision-making capabilities
Driving innovation and organizational transformation
Expanding cross-functional business acumen
Preparing for broader leadership responsibility or career growth
Collaborating with accomplished global peers facing similar business challenges
Building the adaptability and strategic mindset needed to lead through continuous change

Is LEAD right for you? Reach out directly or complete a self-assessment to learn more about whether the program aligns with your goals.

Eligibility Considerations

LEADers are selected based on professional experience, leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to collaborative learning and professional growth. The program is designed for professionals eager to contribute diverse perspectives, challenge their thinking, and grow within a highly engaged global learning environment.

Our admissions process is selective because we intentionally build cohorts that maximize meaningful dialogue, peer learning, and diverse perspectives across industries, functions, and regions.
Cohort size is limited, in order to guarantee high-touch guidance, engagement, and support with faculty and peers.
GMAT/GRE is not required.
You must be proficient at speaking and writing in English.

Applications are reviewed as we receive them and admission is offered on a rolling basis until all seats are filled so we encourage you to apply early.

Participant Stories

Explore how past Stanford LEAD participants have experienced meaningful growth through the program, sharing stories of impact, perspective shifts, and measurable differences in their leadership, careers, and lives.

Kane, LEADer

Hear past program participant Kane discuss how he found a sense of community through the global LEAD network and how the program inspired him to be a lifelong learner.

Raj, LEADer

Hear past program participant Rajalakshmi “Raj” discuss how she applied course frameworks and teachings in her own role to become an intrapreneur who drives change and innovation within her organization.

Gabrielle, LEADer

Hear program participant Gabrielle discuss how she leveraged the global LEAD network to broaden her perspectives and successfully launch new initiatives at Tory Burch Foundation.

Read Participant Experiences