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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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:
Since 2018, WSLB has received over 160 applications and served 86 participants from 29 counties and 44 legislative districts.
Over half (53%) of the households we serve have the highest education level of a high school diploma.
81% of our participants identify as people of color or multiracial.
Program Regional Presence
Top 10 Counties with participation: King, Spokane, Skagit, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Yakima, Whatcom, Kitsap, Mason
39% come from central and eastern Washington areas.
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: