Finding Community in Leadership: The Local Elected Leadership Institute launches its third cohort!

On the last weekend of January, we welcomed 18 local elected leaders as part of the 2026 Local Elected Leadership Institute (LELI), our third year in collaboration with re:power and Local Progress. This program combines peer support and leadership development, providing space for elected leaders to talk through their successes and struggles in local government while bringing national policy experts and local community leaders to equip participants with the tools and relationships they need to pass progressive policies.

This year our cohort represents regions across Washington state such as Pasco, Port Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle and Tacoma – some of whom were even part of Sage’s endorsement slate and candidate support cohort in the last election cycle. Trainers included Nashville City Councilmember Delishia Porterfield and Cleveland City Councilmember Stephanie Howse. The 2-day kickoff moved through workshops like agenda setting, leadership styles and coalition-building. We shared self-care practices as well as our co-governance models, thinking through what it looks like to govern alongside community organizations.

Participants walked away feeling more equipped in their elected positions. Some shared that they felt less overwhelmed and isolated compared to when they were sworn in earlier that month, expressing how this is the first time they’ve been around other progressive leaders of color. “Folks were making connections with people from across the state, talking about how they want to move things in the region together,” says Aretha Basu, Sage Leaders’ Political Director. “It was a beautiful thing to witness.” LELI participants will continue their regular training and peer support space online until the program’s graduation in June.