Why Choose the AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program?

No other program in the country matches this caliber of all-expenses-paid leadership development opportunity that incorporates training, personalized coaching and mentoring tailored specifically for underrepresented neurology groups.

What to Expect – Program Overview

The program will kick off October 22-24, 2024, and participants will graduate in person in June 2025.

• Assessment and Prereading: Pre-assessment designed to help understand the strengths of different professional and communication styles.
• 90-minute Content Sessions: Sessions that introduce participants to critical leadership competencies with topics such as resilient leadership; cultivating emotional intelligence; leading groups and teams; conflict management; personal career strategy, and more.
• Group Leadership Learning Circles: Monthly facilitated interactive and engaging forums that provide an in-depth exploration of current issues and trends that impact leaders and their organizations.
• Coaching: Monthly one-on-one coaching sessions with a consultant.
• Rotating Learning Partners Cohort: Bi-monthly focus sessions with learning partners from the class.
• Mentoring: Participants will be matched with a mentor who is a current AAN leader.
• Face-to-face Retreats/Graduation: In-person participation at the program kickoff, and attendance at the 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA (April 3-7). Also participation in the presentation of the group project to the AAN Board of Directors at the June 2025 Board meeting at the AAN headquarters in Minneapolis.
• Group Project: Collaboration on an AAN-assigned group project to challenge, engage, and support each other’s learning and development. Project final recommendations to be presented to the AAN Board of Directors at the conclusion of the program.
• Engagement with AAN: Learn about the governance, committees, mission/vision, and engage with leadership.
• Alumni Community: Engage with others in our exclusive leadership alumni community.

How to Apply – Eligibility and Application Requirements

Eligibility

Eligible applicant must be a certified neurologist and active AAN member residing in the United States.*

• Applicant must also be from a historically underrepresented ethnic or racial group(s) in neurology as defined by the AAMC, limited to the following groups: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native ethnicity

The AAN Leadership Development Programs intentionally aim to choose a broad range of applicants that reflect the diversity of both the population and the communities we engage with.  We strongly encourage applicants from various backgrounds to apply, embracing diversity in factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities.

* if you have unique circumstances and feel you are an exception to the eligibility criteria for this program, please contact us.

Application Requirements

AAN members interested in participating in the program should submit the following documents in PDF format, in addition to your responses to the essay questions, as part of the application process:

• A letter of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae

Diversity Leadership Program Grading Rubric

• Leadership Potential (Weight = 40%)
• Self-awareness and understanding of leadership (Weight = 30%)
• Alignment with program and leadership developmental needs (Weight = 30%)

Selection

Preference will be given to applicants who have not completed any of the intensive AAN Leadership Programs. We consider the diversity and experience of the whole cohort beyond individual attributes to provide the best learning environment.

Look What Participants Are Saying!