2026 UpNext Leadership Program Application

*APPLICATION IS DUE OCTOBER 27, 2025 AT 5PM*

Thank you for your interest in the UpNext Leadership Community!

Applicants will be notified by December 1, 2025 about acceptance into the program. Please read the schedule and information carefully and answer all questions thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Program Schedule: The program will begin with a full-day, in-person orientation and kickoff in February 2026, a mid-year in-person retreat and 7 virtual sessions. Additionally, a final session and a celebration to commemorate completion of your UpNext year will occur at the 2026 MMANC Annual Conference. As part of your application we ask that you check your calendar and choose which cohort works best for you.

Other Information: Your application will be considered based on your role as UpNext is a program designed for Assistant City Manager, Assistant County Executive, Deputy City Manager/County Executive, Director, Assistant/Deputy Director, and Assistant to the City Manager – or like titles at your agency.

Aside from serving in a current role as defined above, prior leadership development work, leading a team and having to work on behalf of a City/County/Special District Manager, answers should be thorough while staying within word counts to help us consider your application & program readiness.

Full Name:*

First NameLast Name

Email:*

Please send us the email you'd like as your primary for the program.

Cell Phone - Personal:*

Please enter a valid cell phone number.

Current Title:*

Full title - i.e. Assistant to the City Manager

Current Agency:*

spelled out - i.e. West County Waste Water

Length of time @ your current agency:*

Please tell us about your current role including: What are your areas of responsibility? Key projects? Staff you oversee? *

Please limit to 500 words

What is the next job you'd be likely to apply for?*

The Top Seat (City/Town Manager - General Manager - County Executive/Administrative Officer)Assistant Top Seat (Assistant or Deputy City/County/General Manager)Director Position (e.g. Community Development Director)Assistant Director (e.g. Assistant Community Development Director)Assistant to the City/County/General Manager

Gender Identity you most closely align with:*

Sexual Orientation:*

Straight (heterosexual)LGBTQIA+Prefer not to disclose

Ethnicity:*

Age Range:*

Please tell us about any leadership training within the profession that you've participated in and when (ex: CCMF's New & Future Program, Leadership ICMA, Stanford's LGSI or something offered by your agency)*

Please limit to 250 words

Please tell us about any personality or leadership style assessments and what your results are (ex: DISC Profile, Enneagram, Working Genius, Sparketype etc.): *

Please limit to 250 words

Please tell us why you are interested in joining the 2026 UpNext Leadership Community including what you need to be successful and what makes this program meaningful to you at this point in your career: *

Please limit to 250 words

As part of the program we'd like you to identify an Executive Sponsor - someone who can vouch for you professionally and is committed to your development and who you will check in with during the UpNext program. They do not need to be a member of your organization - they can be an executive in another organization or a retiree. Share with us who your Executive Sponsor will be for the program year and why: *

Please limit to 250 words

Your Executive Sponsor's Email:*

Please let us know which cohort works best for you:*

2nd Thursdays Cohort (February 26 in SF in person and virtually on March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13 and September 10)2nd Fridays Cohort (February 27 in SF in person and virtually on March 13, April 10, May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14 and September 11).Either Cohort works for me

I understand the cost of the program in 2026 will be $4,500 and I will process payment before January 31, 2026 to assure my participation in the program.*

YesI will need financial assistance - please complete the next question

We understand that the cost of the program may be cost-prohibitive and we plan to offer scholarships to ensure that no one is restricted from the program based on ability to pay. Please let us know your payment situation:*

My organization will cover the cost of the program if I am accepted and I do not need financial assistance to participate in UpNext.I'm self-sponsoring and do not need financial assistance to participate in UpNext.I'm self-sponsoring and would not be able to participate in the program without a payment plan.I'm self-sponsoring and would not be able to participate in the program without a full or partial scholarship.

I understand that I'll need to be a current member of either MMANC or MMASC and will have an active membership by January 31, 2026. (Please note: if you're not a current member at the time of acceptance into the program, you will be billed for membership in either MMANC or MMASC).*

YesNo

2026 UpNext Leadership Community Application

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