Core Program
Leadership that moves New Mexico forward.
A statewide leadership experience for established leaders committed to serving New Mexico with integrity, curiosity, and purpose.
Application Status: CLOSED
Core 2028 Applications Open January 14, 2027:
Leadership New Mexico’s Core Program is a 10-month, statewide leadership experience for established leaders committed to serving New Mexico with integrity, curiosity, and purpose.
As our flagship program, Core brings together senior leaders who understand that effective leadership in New Mexico requires perspective, humility, and collaboration. Through experiential learning, candid dialogue, and direct exposure to critical issues, participants develop a deeper understanding of the systems, regions, and communities that shape our state.
Participants travel throughout New Mexico, gaining firsthand insight into regional priorities, cultural perspectives, and economic realities. Each session focuses on a key statewide issue while emphasizing systems thinking, trust building, and leading with clarity and responsibility.
The experience creates a trusted network of leaders prepared to collaborate across sectors and lead New Mexico forward.
The Experience
LEARN. CONNECT. EXPERIENCE.
Each year, 40 to 45 New Mexico leaders are selected for the Core cohort. The cohort represents geographic regions across the state, public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and a wide range of professional backgrounds and lived experiences. The strength of Core is the opportunity to learn from one another while building trusted relationships grounded in respect and shared responsibility.
Core takes leadership development beyond the traditional classroom. Participants travel throughout New Mexico and engage directly with communities, organizations, industries, and leaders across the state.
Through these experiences, participants develop a deeper understanding of:
Explore the unique priorities, perspectives, and experiences of communities across the state.
Examine the complex issues affecting New Mexico and the systems connected to them.
Develop greater perspective, strengthen relationships, and grow as a leader.
Build trusted relationships with leaders across sectors, industries, and geographic regions.
Focus Areas
Understanding the issues that shape our state.
Core Program sessions explore critical statewide topics, including:
LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Develop leadership skills, perspective, and self awareness through experiential learning and reflection.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & WORKFORCE
Explore New Mexico's economy, workforce, industries, and opportunities for economic growth.
EDUCATION
Examine the systems, challenges, and opportunities shaping education across New Mexico.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Gain insight into the health and human services systems serving communities throughout the state.
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
Explore the natural resources, energy industries, and environmental issues that influence New Mexico's future.
GOVERNMENT, CRIME & JUSTICE
Develop a deeper understanding of government, public safety, crime, and justice across New Mexico.
Session content evolves annually to reflect emerging challenges and real time conditions across the state.
The Journey
Six sessions. Communities across New Mexico. One statewide experience.
📍 SANTA FE
- August 31 to September 3, 2026
- Opening Retreat & Orientation
- Mandatory
📍 ALBUQUERQUE
- November 17 to 20, 2026
📍 LAS CRUCES
- January 12 to 15, 2027
📍 HOBBS
- March 16 to 19, 2027
📍 FARMINGTON
- May 11 to 14, 2027
📍 TAOS
- June 21 to 24, 2027
- Graduation Session
- Mandatory
The Commitment
Core is an immersive experience that requires participants to be fully present and engaged throughout the program.
The program includes:
• A mandatory opening retreat and orientation
• Four multi day sessions hosted in communities across New Mexico
• A mandatory closing session focused on reflection and integration
Participants are expected to make the full commitment to the experience and actively participate throughout the program.
TUITION: $4,000
Tuition covers program costs, in session transportation, and all meals.
Participants (or their sponsoring organizations) are responsible for travel and lodging expenses. Leadership New Mexico works with local hotels to secure discounted room blocks for each session.
Participants are required to stay at the designated host hotel for each session. While this is not simply a matter of convenience, it is an important part of the program experience. Many of the most meaningful conversations, networking opportunities, and relationships are built before breakfast, after dinner, and during informal time with classmates. Staying together helps ensure that everyone receives the full value and impact of the program.
WHAT CORE PARTICIPANTS SAY
"...[Core] challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and see New Mexico through a broader lens. I gained a deeper appreciation for the diverse communities, cultures, industries, and perspectives that make our state unique. More importantly, I built meaningful relationships with leaders from across New Mexico whose experiences and viewpoints expanded my own."
"Leadership New Mexico has been one of the most transformative experiences of my professional journey. The friendships built, the network created, and the collective passion we share for strengthening our communities and our state are truly
invaluable."
"I would describe my experience as educational, informative, fun, exciting, inspiring, meaningful, challenging, empowering, and deeply connecting. [It was] an unforgettable journey that left me wanting to do it all over again."
READY TO LEAD NEW MEXICO FORWARD?
The Core Program brings together leaders who want to better understand our state, learn from one another, and build relationships that create lasting impact.
THANK YOU TO OUR CORE PROGRAM SPONSORS
We are grateful to the organizations that invest in developing New Mexico’s leaders and help make the Core Program possible. This list will continue to grow throughout the 2026–2027 program year as new sponsors join us.
