Leadership Fairfield County
Where Fairfield County's Next Generation of Leaders Is Built
Fairfield County's future won't shape itself, and it needs leaders who actually understand it - the issues, the people , the opportunities and the gaps. Leadership Fairfield County is a 10-month program that brings together a cohort of mid-to-senior leaders each year to do exactly that. You'll go deep on the issues shaping this region, build real relationships across sectors, and leave with the knowledge, skills and network to lead what comes next.
Overview
Leadership Fairfield County is a selective, 10-month leadership development program hosted by the Stamford Partnership. Each year, 25 mid-to-senior leaders from across the region come together to go deep on the issues shaping Fairfield County; and to develop the leadership skills, civic knowledge and cross-sector relationships to do something about them.
This isn’t a lecture series or a networking event. It’s a cohort experience built around real engagement, honest conversation and applied learning. Participants leave knowing this region, and the people working to move it forward, in a way that changes how they lead.
2026 Schedule
Who This Program Is For
Leadership Fairfield County is designed for mid-to-senior level leaders who are ready to invest in their own growth, their organization’s presence in the region, and in Fairfield County itself.
The right candidate isn’t just looking for networking or professional development. They want to understand this community, build relationships across sectors and play a real role in shaping what comes next.
Cross-sector diversity is core to the experience. The program draws from corporate, nonprofit, government, healthcare, higher education and entrepreneurial sectors.
You’re a good fit if you are
- motivated to grow as a leader
- interested in regional issues
- ready to commit fully to the program
What You'll Experience
The program runs September through June and includes 11 full-day Friday sessions, held once a month. Each session dives into a different issue area shaping the region, and includes an applied leadership skills workshop. In addition to the Program Kickoff, Capstone Launch, and Capstone Presentation & Graduation, session topics include:
Housing & Community Development
Social Equity & Education
State Government & Legislative Processes
Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility
Transportation & Infrastructure
Workforce & Talent Pipeline
Arts, Culture & The Creative Economy
Criminal Justice & Public Safety
Sessions are held across the region and include site visits, panels with working leaders, facilitated discussions and hands-on workshops. The cohort stays together for the full 10 months, which is what builds solid, lasting relationships.
Applied Learning & Tangible Outcomes
Every cohort takes on a real capstone project with a local nonprofit or municipal organization. In September, a shortlist of organizations pitch their projects to the cohort. Participants vote, teams form and the work begins, running alongside the monthly sessions for the full program year.
In June, teams present their work publicly to an audience of employers, community stakeholders, alumni and Stamford Partnership board members. This is where everything from the year comes together, and you see the impact of your work in action.
What You'll Walk Away With
Stronger Leadership Skills
In addition to gaining knowledge and insight into the key issues facing Fairfield County, each session includes applied workshops and ties directly to the Program’s capstone project, connecting the dots between theory and practice, and enhancing your leadership knowledge and skills.
Civic Knowledge
An understanding of the key issues, systems and people shaping Fairfield county.
Cross-Sector Network
You’ll build lasting relationships with cohort peers across corporate, nonprofit, government, education and small business sectors.
Alumni Network Membership
Graduation isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of something new! You’ll join an ever-growing community of purpose-driven Fairfield County leaders through the LFC Alumni Network.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the program,* you’ll receive a certificate and digital badge you can share with your organization and community.
*Successful completion of the program requires full attendance and participation in 10 out of the 11 sessions, and completion of the capstone project.
Past Participating Companies
Americares
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Aon
The Ashforth Company
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
CBRE, Inc.
Charter Communications
Charter Oak Communities
Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP
CLC
Day Pitney LLP
Deloitte
Eversource
Fairfield County Community Foundation
Fairfield University
The Ferguson Library
Finn Dixon & Herling LLP
First County Bank
GE
Grant Thorton
Greenwich Hospital
Hearst Connecticut
Media Group
Henkel Corporation
Housing Development Fund
JPMorgan Chase
KeyBank
KPMG LLP
Lapine
The Maritime Aquarium
Marsh USA Inc.
Martin, DeCruze & Company LLP
McKinsey & Company
Mercer
Murtha Cullina LLP
Mystic Aquarium
NatWest Markets
Nestlé Waters North
America Inc.
New Canaan Advisors LLC
New Neighborhoods, Inc.
Norwalk Hospital, Nuvance Health
People’s United Bank
Pitney Bowes Inc.
PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP
Preferred Brands International, Inc.
Pullman & Comley, LLC
PwC LLP
Robinson & Cole LLP
Sacred Heart University
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin
Company
SL Green
The Stamford 2030 District
Stamford Health
Stepping Stones Museum for
Children, Inc.
Synchrony
Tauck Family Foundation
Taylor Design
TD Bank
UBS
United Way of Western Connecticut
UnitedHealthcare of CT, Inc.
University of Bridgeport
University of Connecticut
UConn School of Business
Verrill
Webster Bank
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Willis Towers Watson
Xerox
Your Commitment
Tuition is sponsored by the participant’s organization, though some choose to self-pay. Either way, investment in the program covers all 11 sessions, materials, transportation to off-sites, meals during sessions, and the graduation event.
Tuition
Corporate Participants – $3,850
Nonprofit Organizations – $1,950
Fairfield County’s future is being shaped now. Grab a seat at the table and help shape it.
APPLY FOR LEADERSHIP FAIRFIELD COUNTY TODAY!
