Leadership El Paso Application 2027

Leadership El Paso (LEP) is the El Paso Chamber's premier leadership development program, designed to cultivate informed, connected, and engaged leaders who will shape the future of the Borderplex region.

Each year, a select cohort of professionals participate in an immersive eleven-month experience exploring the region's key industries, institutions, and community challenges. Participants engage directly with influential business executives, elected officials, military leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community changemakers while developing the leadership skills necessary to create meaningful impact.

Beyond the classroom, each LEP class collaborates on a signature community project that addresses a local need and leaves a lasting legacy for the El Paso community.

 program of the El Paso Chamber. For information, please email crosales@elpaso.org or visit elpaso.org/leadership.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications must be completed and submitted online no later than Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Mountain Time).

Applicants must submit:

  • Completed application
  • Professional headshot
  • Short professional biography
  • Employer/Sponsor approval (if tuition is employer-sponsored)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Leadership El Paso seeks individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their profession and a genuine commitment to serving the El Paso community.

The Selection Committee evaluates applicants based on:

  • Leadership experience and potential
  • Commitment to community involvement
  • Professional accomplishments
  • Desire to contribute to the future of the Borderplex
  • Ability to collaborate with a diverse group of leaders

The Committee strives to assemble a cohort representing a broad cross-section of industries, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Organizations may submit multiple applicants; however, no more than two participants from the same organization will be selected for each class.

Applicants must have lived or worked in the Greater El Paso region for at least twelve months prior to applying.

Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to apply again in future program years.

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT:

LEP is a learning experience and requires the following commitments on the part of the participant:

1. Participants are expected to attend all program sessions. Graduation requires attendance at a minimum of ten (10) monthly sessions. Missing more than two sessions for any reason may result in dismissal from the program without refund. Monthly sessions will take place on the last Friday of each month (unless otherwise noted), January 2027 through November 2027. Each session will take place between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Punctuality is required. Not every session will last the entirety of those hours, but we require participants reserve those times for LEP. Participants must attend the entire session; leaving early or arriving late will be counted against attendance. 

2. Participants must attend an overnight retreat on Friday, January 29th beginning at 8:30am and ending Saturday, January 30th at 1pm. 

2. Attendance at a minimum of four El Paso Chamber events are required in order to graduate from the program. An event overview form will be provided for your feedback. Participants are required to attend a minimum of four El Paso Chamber events outside of LEP during the program year to deepen their engagement with the Chamber and the business community.

3. Physical activities may include, but are not limited to, touring construction sites, uneven terrain, climbing, hiking, and exposure to intense weather conditions. (You may opt of any physical activities if you are not comfortable with the activity, but must still remain present for the duration of the session.)

4. Active participation in the class project is required. The Chamber will provide further guidance on project guidelines during the program.

5. One session may involve travel to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Participants are required to obtain proper border crossing documentation if they plan to participate.

6.  If accepted, full payment must be made by December 15, 2026 to participate in LEP.  



Fields marked with an * are required.

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.

First Name * Middle Name * Last Name * Preferred Name * Preferred Pronouns * Email * Secondary Email *

Phone * Cell Number * Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) * Home Address (include city, state, zip) *

Business Name * Your Title * Business Phone * Business Address * Briefly describe your professional responsibies *

Employer * Title/Position * Dates Employed * Reason for leaving *

Begin with high school, followed by business or trade school, college(s), advanced degrees and/or other specialized training.


Institution * Location * Dates Attended * Degree or Major *

Name * Relation * Phone * Email *

Please specify

What has been your most important contribution to El Paso or your former community and what role did you play?

In your opinion, who are the top three most influential/powerful leaders in our community today?  Why?

Complete this statement: If accepted to LEP, I will commit myself to applying the knowledge I acquire from the program by: 

LEP is not a starting point.  It is a program for those who are already established in their career and who have made contributions to the community. Please list, in order of importance to you, community organizations for which you are, or have been, a leader in El Paso:  Applications without this information will not be considered.

Leadership Role * Organization * Dates of Involvement * Reference *

I am committed to participating as a member of the LEP47 class. I understand that my participation includes course assignments, course activities, active engagement in course discussions, and active contribution to the LEP47 class project. If selected to participate, I will devote the time required.

I understand the purpose of LEP and that completion of this application does not ensure my acceptance into the program. To assist with the application and selection process, I agree to make time available for a candidate conversation.

I have read the above information in full and agree to abide by this acknowledgement.

As the applicant’s employer, I attest the applicant has been given approval and full support, which includes the dedication of the allotted time to participate in this program.

TUITION:  Ability to pay is not a consideration in selection of class participants and should not be viewed as a barrier to application. If accepted into the LEP program, you or your employer will be billed for the tuition fee which covers all program costs, including meals.


Tuition will be paid by? Self Employer Other:


Application fee of $50 must be paid at time of the application submission Click here to pay the application fee!


The above identified will be invoiced for the amount applicable below:

Non-Member Rate of $3,200

Chamber Member Rate of $2,000

Charitable Organization Rate of $1,800*

*Limited slots designated for IRC Section 501(c)(3) Organizations. Proof of designation must be attached to application to qualify for discount.


CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR SELECTION STATUS BY MID-OCTOBER 

 

TUITION MUST BE PAID IN FULL BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2025 IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

 

Applicant’s Signature & Date * Employer’s Signature & Date *

20MB max

20MB max