Powered by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York
Cohort 2027
What is the Leadership Institute? The Leadership Institute is Girl Scouts of Greater New York's premier leadership program, offering NYC youth in grades 6–12 a transformative opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and realize their full potential. Over the course of a nearly year-long intensive experience, 200 Girl Scouts engage in a dynamic curriculum designed to help them identify their unique strengths, deepen their understanding of leadership, and learn from accomplished professional women across a range of industries. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experiences, participants gain the skills, knowledge, and self-assurance to navigate their futures and lead with purpose in their schools, workplaces, and communities. The program has three phases: LeadershipLaunchpad Launchpad – Discover your potential 1. Leadership LeadershipCircuit Circuit – Explore your possibilities 2. Leadership 3. Leadership LeadershipininAction Action – Create your impact
Goals of the Leadership Institute Discover your Discover your leadership leadershipstyle: style: Identify your unique leadership strengths, understand your personal leadership style, and learn how to confidently articulate what you bring as a leader. Build leadership leadership skills: skill Develop self-awareness, communication, collaboration, resilience, Build advocacy, and confidence in a supportive space. Explore Explore possibilities: possibilities: Connect with diverse career pathways, professional women leaders, mentors, and role models through workplace visits and networking.
72%
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of recent program alumni are currently pursuing a four-year degree.
Cohort 2027
Who Can Apply? No previous Girl Scout membership required. The Leadership Institute is open to 6th- 12th grade students who reside in the five boroughs of New York. Upon acceptance, all Leadership Institute participants must purchase an active Girl Scout membership for $85 if they do not already have one.
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Powered by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York
Cohort 2027
Program Phases For Cohort 2027, the Leadership Institute continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s Girl Scouts in NYC. This year, the program introduces a new three-phase three phase leadership leadership journey journe focused on discovering individual strengths, exploring future possibilities, and putting leadership into action. Along the way, Girl Scouts will connect with professionals, build workforce-ready skills, and gain the tools to create meaningful impact.
1. Leadership Launchpad – Discover Your Potential Girl Scouts discover and develop their leadership identity during a weekend-long session focused on personal strengths, team building, understanding what it means to be a leader, and building foundational leadership skills.
2. Leadership Circuit – Explore Your Possibilities Through visits to a variety of workplaces, Girl Scouts connect with professionals across industries, gain firsthand insight into diverse career paths, and explore key leadership topics through engaging, real-world experiences. Girl Scouts visit a wide range of workplaces and academic exploration events where they are exposed to diverse career pathways, learn directly from experienced women professionals and role models, envision themselves in leadership positions, and gain inspiration and insight into their own future educational and career journeys.
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Cohort 2027
3. Leadership in Action – Create Your Impact Girl Scouts reflect on their Leadership Institute journey, build their first professional résumé, and develop the confidence and skills to create meaningful change in their communities. Participants also receive: Highest Awards Mentorship: Meet one-on-one with experienced mentors to receive guidance and support as you pursue your Silver or Gold Award. Spring Leadership Institute Cohort Circle: Connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow Leadership Institute participants while strengthening the relationships you've built throughout the program. Girl Congress Leadership Opportunity: 10 Senior and Ambassador Leadership institute participants will be selected to join the Girl Congress Planning Committee. All Leadership Institute participants are encouraged to attend the Girl Congress event.
Ready to Lead? This program is for you if you: are currently enrolled in 6th - 12th grade are a current or future Girl Scout able to participate in 7 of 15 workplace visits (Seniors/Ambassadors) 4 of 15 workplace visits (Cadettes) have a deep and genuine interest in becoming a better leader, equipped to make lasting change in your community live in one of the 5 boroughs of NYC can commit your time to the Leadership Institute requirements are looking for a new leadership challenge are interested in collaborating with your peers are ready to actively participate in events, workshops, and other opportunities
91%
of Leadership Institute participants have held a community leadership position.
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Calendar of Events December Powered by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York
Please note: Details are subject to change. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
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October Orientation 20 Virtual Cadettes | 7PM - 8PM
Lead Yourself - Time Management & Accountability Workplace Visit | 5PM - 7PM Highest Awards - Silver Award Project Mentorship Cadettes | 10AM - 12PM Participants will receive mentorship and help developing their Silver Award projects. Highest Awards - Gold Award
Orientation 22 Virtual Seniors & Ambassadors | 7PM - 8PM
12 Project Mentorship
Seniors & Ambassadors | 1PM - 3PM Participants will receive mentorship and help to earn the Gold Award.
November 7-8
Leadership Launchpad St. Francis College, Brooklyn Seniors & Ambassadors November 7 | 10AM - 3PM Cadettes | November 8 | 10AM - 3PM Participants will earn their True North Award and explore various leadership topics and prepare for their year-long journey. Get ready for your Silver or Gold Award journey!
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Lead Yourself - Confidence Workplace Visit | 11AM - 1PM
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Lead Yourself Emotional Intelligence Workplace Visit | 5PM - 7PM
Cohort 2027
January 7
Lead Others - Communication & Executive Presence Workplace Visit | 5PM - 7PM
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Lead Others - Collaboration & Team Building Bank of America | 11AM - 1PM
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Lead Others - Networking & Building Relationships NAI Global | 5PM - 7PM
Leadership Launchpad Leadership Circuit Cadettes need to participate in 4/15 workplace visits Seniors & Ambassadors need to participate in 7/15 workplace visits
Leadership In Action
February 4 15
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Think Like a Leader - Critical Thinking & Decision Making Workplace Visit | 5PM - 7PM Networking Event All levels | 10AM - 2PM PWC, Manhattan A one-of-a-kind conference created by girls, led by girls, and powered by their ideas. Girl Scouts will connect with peers, meet inspiring women professionals from across New York City, explore exciting career paths, and discover new possibilities for their futures. It’s a day to make connections, find inspiration, amplify their voices, and see themselves as the leaders shaping NYC and beyond.
April 1
Build Your Future - Digital Leadership Workplace Visit | 5PM - 7PM
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Lead With Purpose - Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Workplace Visit | 11AM - 1PM Reflection Sessions - LinkedIn
20 Profile Workshop
Ages 16+ | 5PM - 6PM | Virtual
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Think Like a Leader - Innovation & Creativity Workshop HSBC | 11AM - 1PM Think Like a Leader - Financial
18 Literacy & Entrepreneurship
Reflection Sessions -
27 Interview Skills
Seniors & Ambassadors 5PM - 6PM | Virtual Participants will receive support in articulating their Leadership Institute experience in an interview.
Bank of America | 11AM - 1PM
March 4
Build Your Future - Goal Setting PWC | 5PM - 7PM
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Build Your Future - Personal Branding LinkedIn | 11AM - 1PM
Reflection Sessions Resume Building Seniors & Ambassadors 5PM - 6PM | Virtual Participants will receive support in reflecting on their Leadership Institute journey and how to add it to their resume.
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Lead With Purpose Business Ethics Cushman and Wakefield 11AM - 1PM
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Lead With Purpose Decision Making Google | 11AM - 1PM
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Application & Selection Process
How to Apply Cohort 2027 will be accepting 200 participants. Acceptance into the Leadership Institute is based on an online digital application that includes short essay and $50 commitment fee. FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE. Please email leadershipinstitute@girlscoutsnyc.org. Early Bird Special! If you apply by September 22, you will be entered into a raffle to win Girl Scout Shop credit!
Things to Know: The application must be completed in ONE SITTING. The online application form does not save information. Double and triple check your responses for spelling. A photo will need to be submitted with your application. If you need accommodations or support with your application, please email leadershipinstitute@girlscoutsnyc.org
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Applicants will receive a confirmation email once their submission has been successfully received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your submission may not have gone through. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact leadershipinstitute@girlscoutsnyc.org. Applicants who are accepted into the Leadership Institute will be notified by email no later than Friday, October 16, 2026.
Leadership Institute Application
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Cohort 2027
Girl Scout Membership Participants must have an active Girl Scout membership to take part in the Leadership Institute. If you are new to Girl Scouts or need to renew your membership, the $85 membership fee for the 2026–2027 Girl Scout year will apply upon acceptance into the program. Need-based financial assistance is available. We want to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participating in the Leadership Institute.
Become a Girl Scout
Financial aid is available. Email customercare@girlscoutsnyc.org and learn more about it!
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Event Timeline Virtual Information Session: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 7PM - 8PM Discover the new and improved Leadership Institute! Join us to learn more about the program, explore what’s ahead, and get your questions answered. Come alone or bring your troop! Click or scan the QR code to register.
Virtual Orientation for Accepted Applicants Cadettes: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 7PM - 8PM Seniors and Ambassadors: Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 7PM - 8PM Get ready for the Leadership Institute! Caregivers and troop leaders are encouraged to attend. Girl Scout attendance is mandatory.
“I needed the push to step into my strengths, and the Leadership Institute helped with that!” - Leadership Institute Cohort 2026 Participant
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Cohort 2027
91% of Leadership Institute participants have volunteered in a community or social issue-focused capacity.
Questions? Contact leadershipinstitute@girlscoutsnyc.org
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Thank you to our generous program funder!
girlscoutsnyc.org Girl Scouts of Greater New York 40 Wall Street, Suite 708 New York, NY 10005 212.645.4000