Leadership Fairfax (LFI) Program

Who Should ALFI Joint Government Daypply | What are the Benefits |
What Happens During The Program  | When you Become an Alum

The Leadership Fairfax (LFI) Program is built around a comprehensive 10-month curriculum of community issues and skill development.  Participants spend one day each month, September through June, engaging in an intensive study of issues affecting the quality of life in Fairfax County and the region. 

Who Should Apply:

In its 23nd year, it is designed for established leaders, mid-level to senior, from all walks of life:

  • Managers from the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors
  • Small business entrepreneurs
  • Professionals
  • Educators
  • Volunteer Leaders

Goals of Leadership Fairfax:

  • To enhance the communications network among leaders from diverse backgrounds and interests.
  • To identify leaders in business, government and the community, and assist them in expanding their skills in, and commitment to, voluntary civic responsibility.
  • To provide these men and women with a practical, in-depth understanding of major community issues facing Fairfax County are.
  • To encourage development of “community trustees” who will assume leadership in their diverse communities around a variety of issues.
  • To facilitate access between Leadership Fairfax class members and the current leadership of the community.

 


Benefits

For an individual:

  • An enhanced understanding of Fairfax County and how it works.
  • Development of your ability to lead, follow and work in teams.
  • Inclusion in a network of professional individuals who are influencers, decision-makers and resources in Northern Virginia.
  • A fast track way to find your best "fit" for contributing back to your community.

For an employer sending someone through the program, participants will:

  • Meet the right people. Our members represent more than 672 different companies, government organizations and nonprofit groups throughout the region.
  • Interact with key players from across many sectors. Our classes represent a cross section of top executives from the region.
  • Hone their skills while interacting and working with other people of their caliber - 'diamonds sharpen diamonds".
  • ”Develop their ability to communicate and build consensus amongst the business elite.
  • Learn how growing the County will grow your business.
  • Make contacts and develop relationships that result in future business.
  • Keep ahead of the competition by expanding your company’s reach as well as your employees reach.
  • Expand individual networks, connecting with the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

 


The Program

LFI begins with a two-day opening kickoff in September, followed by nine monthly program days. From December to May, around 50 class participants engage in an intensive study of six topics representing important and diverse local issues that affect the quality of life in Fairfax County and the region.  Divided into six teams, each team is assigned a specific perspective through which they study, research and present in each of the six program topics.  Being responsible to cover part of each program day, class participants in each team will therefore be engaged in all program day topics.  In addition, each team will also be tasked to organize, coordinate and manage one of the six program days.

In short, as a class member you will:

  • Study and learn in-depth about program day topics and your assigned perspective thereby becoming a stakeholder in the various issues in Fairfax County.
  • Interact with established community leaders and elected officials.
  • Get ample chance to interact with team members and many other class participants allowing for more networking opportunities.
  • Enhance and sharpen your organizing, communication, managing and leadership skills.
  • Discover opportunities for you to play an active leadership role in your community.
  • Engage in problem solving discussions around solutions.


A year of discovery and growth is capped off in June with a one-day closing day and commencement dinner.


As an LFI Alum:

Following your class year, as a graduate of the LFI Program of Leadership Fairfax, you will join a cadre of over 1,200 remarkable, accomplished fellow LFI alumni. Each year you will be invited to join with them for updates on community leadership issues, community projects, networking and social activities.

 

By joining and participating with this group of exclusive leaders, you will have contacts in a broad array of fields and the opportunity to network with the  top 1% of the executives in the County.