2026 Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship

2026 Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship - De Vera
About Nicole De Vera

LI Board Member; Certified Public Accountant/Finance Manager

Nicole has served as a board member for Leadership Initiatives since joining our team in 2022 where she has sought to provide leadership and mentorship to deserving students around the world.

Nicole’s career has taken her through senior and management roles in corporations all around the world. She has worked as a Senior Audit Manager at KPMG, one of the “Big Four” Accounting Organizations where she helped provide accounting services to not-for-profit and commercial clients. Recently, Nicole has worked as a Finance Manager for FOAA (Finance Operations Accounting and Analysis) and AWS (Amazon Web Services) Accounting at Amazon.

As a part of her work with Leadership Initiatives, Nicole has helped provide mentorship to students, while also working to further amplify the impact of projects and business startups globally. Nicole has seen first-hand the impact that one opportunity can have on future entrepreneurs and business leaders. She hopes to help contribute to the next generation of business leaders through this full-tuition scholarship.
Scholarship Purpose: The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship aims to further promote Nicole’s efforts to expand educational opportunities to students interested in business, entrepreneurship, and accounting. The scholarship is designed to support and empower high school students who share Nicole’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs around the world.

Eligibility: The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship is open to top rising freshmen and graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in business.

Deadline: The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship applications must be received no later than December 5th, 2025, to be considered. All scholarships will be announced on January 15th, 2026.

Scholarship Award: The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship will award one full scholarship for the Leadership Initiatives International Leadership & Business Internship for one of the following sessions:
- June 28th - July 4th, 2026
- July 5th – July 11th, 2026
- July 12th – July 18th, 2026
- July 19th – July 25th, 2026
- July 26th – August 1st, 2026
The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship Fund will also award ten partial scholarships to promising students to attend the internship program.

Scholarship Application Components
- Student Information
- Personal Statement, approximately one to two pages detailing:
  1. Your academic interests
  2. Your future education plans
  3. How your future aspirations align with the goals of equitable development, entrepreneurship, and business innovation
Applicant Information
Student Name*

First NameLast Name
Student Email*
example@example.com
Student phone number*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent or Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent or Guardian Email*
example@example.com
School Information & Business Club Participation
Current Grade*
High School Name*
Link to High School Website*
Graduation Year*
If you receive the scholarship, would you be available and willing to attend the International Leadership and Business Internship from June 28th - July 4th, 2026; July 5th – July 11th, 2026; July 12th – July 18th, 2026; July 19th – July 25th, 2026; or July 26th – August 1st, 2026?*

Yes, I would be able and willing to travel to Washington DC for the International Leadership & Business Internship from June 28th - July 4th, 2026; July 5th – July 11th, 2026; July 12th – July 18th, 2026; July 19th – July 25th, 2026; or July 26th – August 1st, 2026.No, I would not be able and willing to travel to Washington DC for the International Leadership & Business Internship from June 28th - July 4th, 2026; July 5th – July 11th, 2026; July 12th – July 18th, 2026; July 19th – July 25th, 2026; or July 26th – August 1st, 2026.
The Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship does not include travel to and from Georgetown University.*

Yes, I understand that travel will not be included in the scholarship and my family will be able to cover the cost of the travel to and from Georgetown University.Unfortunately my family will not be able to cover the cost of the travel to and from Georgetown University.
Do you participate in any business clubs at your school?*

DECAFuture Business Leaders of America (FBLA)The Future Investors Club of America (FICA)Business Professionals of America (BPA)Entrepreneurship ClubNational Beta ClubOther
Name of DECA Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of DECA Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of FBLA Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of FBLA Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of FICA Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of FICA Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of BPA Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of BPA Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Entrepreneurship Club Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of Entrepreneurship Club Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of National Beta Club Advisor*

First NameLast Name
Email of National Beta Club Advisor *
example@example.com
Name of Organization*
Supervisor/Advisor/Mentor Name*

First NameLast Name
Supervisor/Advisor/Mentor Email*
Personal Statement
Below is a sample personal statement of a Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship applicant. Please use this sample as an example of formatting for your personal statement.
Approximately one to two pages detailing:
1. Your academic interests
2. Your future education plans
3. How your future aspirations align with the goals of equitable development, entrepreneurship, and business innovation
File Upload*

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I understand that the 2026 Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship can only be used to attend the Leadership Initiatives International Leadership & Business Internship held at Georgetown University from June 28th - July 4th, 2026; July 5th – July 11th, 2026; July 12th – July 18th, 2026; July 19th – July 25th, 2026; or July 26th – August 1st, 2026. This scholarship can not be transferred to any other program or institution or be requested as a payment.

All applications received after the deadline of Decmber 5th, 2025, will not be considered to receive this scholarship. Decisions will be made by the Leadership Initiatives Scholarship Committee and will be announced on January 15th, 2026.
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2026 Emerging Leaders in Business Scholarship - De Vera

Applicant Information

School Information & Business Club Participation

Personal Statement