The New NY Leaders Initiative is designed to renew the connection between the public and the state and ensure that state government is diverse, talented, and prepared to lead for decades to come.

One component of the initiative, the Empire State Fellows Program, is a full-time leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policy-makers. The second component is the first ever coordinated, statewide Student Intern Program, through which students will be placed within the Executive Branch of government to gain hands-on experience serving the people, and provides interns opportunities to interact with government leaders and policy makers.

The New New York Leaders Initiative will expose the state’s next generation of leaders to the work of governing and introduce them to the increasingly complex policy challenges facing New York State.