ALF Fellows Program
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE. TRANSFORMATIVE YEAR.
For over thirty years, ALF has carefully curated a diverse cross-sector cohort of up to twenty-eight senior leaders for an intense one-of-a-kind leadership development experience.
Through the ALF Fellows Program, leaders reach outside of their professional training and networks to explore stories and strategies that raise our collective human consciousness, deepen empathy and expand our ability to see, feel, and lead in this new paradigm.
“We need a language that brings us together about the deepest things we care about rather than pushing us apart.”
We cannot be in service to others if we do not feed ourselves.
After accepting an invitation to participate, selected Fellows begin their journey by trying on elements of mindfulness and meditation, self-reflection, and sharing their personal stories. Bonds are forged with classmates, allowing Fellows to practice true dialogue across a variety of perspectives. Throughout the year, Fellows add lessons from aikido, embodied presence with a Master Somatic Leadership Coach, and integrated medicine practices to their leadership toolkits.
The Wilderness Experience.
ALF believes that spending time in nature is like a salve for the soul. For over 20 years, Fellows have unplugged for six days in the wilderness, participating in a series of individual and group challenges, dialogues, and reflection.
Joining the Network.
The final third of the program allows for Fellows to apply a new lens to old problems. Design thinking immersion and dialogues with Senior Fellows set up the graduating class to become active members of the full ALF Network. Upon graduation, the new Senior Fellows are then empowered to serve as catalysts in their communities, bringing stakeholders from other sectors together to collaboratively address the most urgent public concerns.
Our signature Fellows experience is built upon these core ALF National values:
- We believe in the power and importance of trusted relationships.
- We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging are critical for thriving, equitable communities, healthy people, and a healthy planet.
- We believe in the power of dialogue and collaborative leadership with leaders who have curiosity about people whose identity, culture, background and life experiences may be different from their own.
- We believe we have a responsibility to prioritize active civic engagement to equitably serve for the benefit of all people in our communities.
- We prioritize and engage in practices of mindfulness, grace, acceptance, accountability and openness to personal and professional growth.
2024-2025 FELLOWS PROGRAM BOOKLET
Click image to view booklet.
2025-2026 FELLOWS PROGRAM BOOKLET
Learn more about ALF Silicon Valley’s Fellows Program, including requirements, schedule, and curriculum.
“I have developed some extremely deep and meaningful friendships, and close connections with many of my cohort that I will draw upon in coming years.”
Fellows Program Facilitators
Akemi Flynn
Chief Impact Officer & Fellows Program Lead Facilitator
Akemi Flynn has over 25 years experience working for multicultural community building and equity in Silicon Valley. Prior to ALF, she served as Executive Director of PACT: People Acting in Community Together, a multi-faith, multi-racial organization leading grassroots community organizing for racial and economic justice. Akemi brings her experiences and relationships working with leaders from the non-profit, philanthropic, public policy, corporate, business, faith, and cultural communities to serve as ALF’s Chief Impact Officer. She is a member of Class XXVII, wife of ALF Urbanist Senior Fellow, and mother of two young adults.
Dr. Byron Burkhalter
Fellows Program Co-Facilitator
Dr. Byron Burkhalter earned his doctorate in sociology from UCLA and has been focused on issues of race, biracial identity, whiteness and multiracial political coalitions in US history for more than 30 years. He has taught at the university level, spoken at large public rallies and published numerous pieces on these issues. His writings have examined racial and sexual discrimination in the workplace, the relevance of race in interracial relationships and racial and ethnic identities in online communities. Most recently he has been helping groups of people do the hard work to recognize the privileges afforded them by the racism and white supremacy systemic in their everyday lives.
