Leadership Programs

Leadership Programs

Where emerging science leaders step into purpose

Through our leadership programs, scientists initiate meaningful change within themselves, their communities, and society. We create inclusive, supportive spaces for growing as a person and a professional, building lifelong relationships, and taking on new leadership roles.

Connecting with your own power is transformational

Our leadership programs each begin with a retreat where scientists dive deep and examine why and how they want to become agents of change. Together, we explore the fundamentals of communication, engagement, and purposeful leadership, while creating lasting bonds over storytelling sessions, fireside talks, and shared experiences. Fun plays a big part too!

Our programs are rooted in relationships, collaboration, and a commitment to celebrating victories and supporting each other through hard times. Participants join a larger network devoted to career advancement, solutions-driven impact, and building a scientific community that embraces the full spectrum of identities, voices, values, and ways of knowing. COMPASS is the trusted partner for scientists all over the world who want to step into their purpose and improve the wellbeing of people and nature. 

Interested in partnering with COMPASS to design a leadership program? Reach out to us here.

Our Leadership Programs

COMPASS Pathfinder: Leaders in Conservation

Cohort selection to be announced in June!

This 8-month program supports conservation experts from across North America to navigate their journey with renewed clarity, energy, and purpose. Participants in the program will develop essential skills to build effective strategies, strengthen resilience, and foster trust and collaboration with others who share a commitment to the well-being of people and nature — both within and beyond the conservation field.

Learn more about COMPASS Pathfinders

Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science

Not Currently Accepting Applications

This 9-month program is designed to support conservation scientists to be leaders in a rapidly changing West, as they work collaboratively and independently to advance equitable, inclusive, and just solutions to the challenges that people, western lands, and wildlife face. 

Learn more about Wilburforce Leaders

Leaders for Sea Change Program

Not Currently Accepting Applications

This year-long program was designed to build a strong network of scientist leaders to tackle the most urgent crises affecting our oceans. From ecologists working with First Nations in British Columbia to human geographers working with fishing cooperatives in Baja, Leaders for Sea Change scientists advance meaningful change within themself, their community, and society.

Learn more about Leaders for Sea Change

Scientist Sentinels

Not Currently Accepting Applications

This 9-month program brings together diverse scientists  in the United States to advance the role of science in society, inspire their peers, and support evidence-based decision making at the local level and beyond. The scientists in each cohort represent different perspectives, fields of study, geographies, backgrounds, identities, values, and career stages. 

Learn more about Scientist Sentinels

Leadership Programs

Forging the Vega Fellowship—Interview with Dr. Daniel Conley

The Vega Fellowship started in 2011, after Dr. Daniel Conley, Lund University professor of biogeochemistry in Sweden, decided to find a way to bring more science communication training to his part of the world. Daniel collaborated with Nancy Baron to build a network of researchers with the skills and knowledge to share their science to improve conditions in the Bal...Read more
Leadership in Action

From the Ground Up—Building a Fellowship with Dr. Diana Wall

Dr. Diana H. Wall is a soil ecologist and environmental scientist, and is the Founding Director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) at Colorado State University (CSU). Diana’s passion for soil ecology and nematodes has taken her all over the world, including over twenty-five trips to Antarctica. Diana’s work and career was profiled in N...Read more
Leadership Programs

Wilburforce Training: The Heart of the Matter

Something magical happened at the first training for the Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science two weeks ago. Once again, storytelling revealed its power to inform, to inspire and bring together a group of people focused on a common cause. The fellowship originated with Dr. Amanda Stanley, Wilburforce Foundation’s Conservation Science Program Officer. ...Read more

Often the doors for career-enhancing opportunities are closed to people who don't fit a conventional model of a scientist, but real conservation depends on tremendously diverse skill sets. COMPASS and Wilburforce opened their leadership programs up to people with a variety of skills and backgrounds, and that's what really appealed to me. It was the highlight of my year.

~ Dr. Jonaki Bhattacharyya, Researcher and Technical Consultant – Stewardship Initiatives

I have the photograph from the very first day of the training, where we were making mental maps and putting up post-its of what we wanted to do, and in that photograph I was describing the vision I had for a project for my new job. That photo captured exactly what I’ve accomplished now—the partners, the process, the vision.

~ Sergio Avila, Local Outdoors Coordinator, Sierra Club

I feel so fortunate to have been selected into such a wonderful group of highly talented people. Every time COMPASS contacts me, I look forward to being able to participate. The network just keeps paying dividends.

~ Bray Beltrán, Science Director, Heart of the Rockies Initiative

The connections made at the training are ones that will help change the world. It was a humbling experience to be with such astounding individuals with such passion, drive, and kind hearts.

~ Scientist Sentinel 

I feel so much more empowered now. I actually have tools at my disposal, and this awesome network of people who are interested and impassioned. That’s been the greatest gift.

~ Dr. Se Jin Song, Director of Research, Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California

I learned a new identity for myself, that I can be a good scientist and a good citizen at the same time.

~ Michelle del Rio, PhD Student, University of Texas

I feel like my soul and my science have come together.

~ Dr. Jonathan Moore, Liber Ero Chair of Coastal Science and Management, Simon Frasier University