Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) 2026-2027
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Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) 2026-2027.
The Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) is a one-year hybrid program for executives who guide institutions that advance the common good.
Now in its third year, this world-class program strengthens the capacity of leaders in government, nonprofits, philanthropy, and education to deepen and scale systems change.
The fellowship includes an intensive two-week residential Leadership Institute held at Harvard’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics.
Fellows engage in 1:1 mentorship, virtual convenings, peer exchange sessions, and executive coaching.
They leave with new tools, expanded global networks, and the confidence to lead with purpose in complex contexts.
Why Our Fellowship?
- The greater the responsibility, the more complex the decisions. This program is for you if:
- You are guiding an organization through turbulent change.
- You are responsible for advancing your mission in resource-constrained environments.
- You are building teams that must perform and endure under pressure.
- You value impact, but face constant trade-offs and competing demands.
These are the realities executives in the social impact sector face.
The fellowship creates a structured space to step back, reflect, and sharpen leadership.
Fellows gain frameworks, tools, and strategies from Harvard faculty, experienced practitioners, and peers who are experts on the skills needed to create transformative impact.
What do You Gain?
The Social Impact Executive Fellowship equips you to:
- Design strategies that extend influence across systems and stakeholders.
- Strengthen skills related to management, culture, and operations.
- Lead with confidence in moments of uncertainty and transition.
After the fellowship, you will receive an executive certificate from Mountaintop and join a lifelong global peer network of leaders across 175+ countries.
Mountaintop welcomes applications from:
- Individual candidates from any country working in the social sector (governments, NGOs, philanthropy, or education) who are committed to deepening their impact and strengthening their leadership.
- This includes early- to mid-career professionals who are stepping into positions of greater responsibility and want structured support to grow, as well as experienced leaders who are already driving initiatives, organizations, or movements and are seeking to expand their influence, sharpen their strategies, and connect with a global network of peers.
- Employer sponsors (e.g., governments, NGOs, philanthropies, or educational institutions) nominating staff for the fellowship.
We especially encourage women leaders to apply or be nominated to support an inclusive, representative cohort.
Timeline
- Applications Close: December 14, 2025.
- Selection Interviews: December 2025 – January 2026.
- Fellowship Year: July 2026 – June 2027.
Seats are limited. Each cohort is small by design to ensure faculty access and depth of peer connection.
Final thoughts
- The challenges of social impact leadership are growing more complex.
- They require leaders who can sustain organizations, inspire teams, and act with clarity when the stakes are highest.
- The Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship is a proven program for executives ready to deepen and scale systems change and join a global community of the world’s most inspiring social sector leaders.
If you are ready to take your leadership to the next level, then apply for the Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF).
