Our goal is to develop leaders who can engage across differences, practice civil discourse, and tackle future challenges collaboratively. As a public state agency, WSLB is dedicated to using taxpayer funds to expand leadership development opportunities statewide.
Our Goal:
Our Programs:
We connect young people with mentors, professionals, alumni, and volunteers to foster intergenerational leadership that mirrors the rich diversity of Washington’s communities. Recognizing the unequal access to leadership development throughout the state, WSLB adopts a targeted universalism approach, directing resources to communities that face the greatest barriers in accessing leadership opportunities.
Our programs foster leaders who engage across differences and work collaboratively to address future challenges:
Washington World Fellows, a foreign exchange + career preparatory program for high school sophomores
Boundless Washington, an outdoor and sports leadership program for young people with disabilities
Compassion Scholars, a study abroad and service learning program aimed at promoting compassionate leadership
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How we serve
WSLB prepares young people to become globally aware, community-rooted leaders. Through education support, workforce readiness, global learning, and intergenerational mentorship, WSLB equips emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and experiences needed to thrive in Washington and beyond. Since 2022…
100% of WSLB high school seniors earned a high school diploma or GED
$1.4M in scholarships, grants, and awards have been awarded to participants to pursue post-secondary pathways
Support Educational Journeys
Facilitate Global Learning & International Relationships
Develop Workforce Readiness
Who we serve
At WSLB, we’re all about cultivating leadership that reflects the full diversity of Washington’s communities and the geographic realities that shape them:
WSLB has served 29 counties and 44 legislative districts.
Top 10 Counties with participation: King, Spokane, Skagit, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Yakima, Whatcom, Kitsap, Mason.
67% of WSLB’s participants come from outside of the I-5 urban corridor
39% come from central and eastern Washington areas.
Over half (53%) of the households we serve have a high school diploma as their highest education level.
81% of our participants identify as people of color or multiracial.
Program Regional Presence
During her testimony on Senate Resolution 8626 (2025), Senator Judy Warnick, an ex-officio member of the Washington State Leadership Board, referred to the WSLB as: