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(San Francisco – February 3, 2016) The Presidio Institute today announced the selection of twenty-four professionals from businesses, non-profits, academia, philanthropy, and government sectors to participate in the Presidio Institute Fellows program.  The program – formerly known as the Cross Sector Leadership Fellows Program – is a year-long, multi-city initiative created in partnership with BlackRock, McKinsey, the United States Office of Personnel Management, and the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. The goal of the program is to further develop the capacity of inspired executives to solve the complex challenges facing society in the 21^st century.

This year's Fellows (listed below) were selected through a competitive application process based on their record of personal achievement, their ability to contribute to the program, as well as their desire to apply that learning to a cross sector effort locally, nationally, or internationally. The term "cross sector" refers to working across government, non-profit and for-profit business sectors to develop solutions t​o difficult problems.

The program provides Fellows the opportunity to focus on building their cross sector leadership skills, and learning from successful leading examples and individuals in the field. They will learn about how some of the nation's most innovative organizations participate in cross sector collaborations, and will benefit from a rigorous program to enhance their skill sets, expand their networks, and explore different approaches to solving complex challenges.

"We envision a world in which individuals working in all sectors collaborate to solve tough social, economic, and environmental challenges," said David B. Smith, Presidio Institute Managing Director, "The Presidio Institute is proud to be the channel through which these and other cross sector leaders connect to become effective champions for change."

The Presidio Institute Fellows first in-person gathering will be at the Presidio of San Francisco from April 11-15, followed by other in-person learning experiences in Washington, DC (July 11-15), and New York City (October 17-21).  This year, for the first time, the Fellows program will be integrating online learning with in-person experiences through the Presidio Institute online learning platform, LEADEROSITY (www.leaderosity.com).

The Fellows will apply what they learn in the program to cross sector efforts focused on a wide range of issues from improving educational outcomes, to asset building for low-income people, to energy efficiency, to innovative financing strategies for redevelopment.

The Presidio Institute held its inaugural Fellows program in 2014.  During past programs, Fellows had the opportunity to learn from organizations and collaborations including Gap, Tesla, Google, Year Up, City and County of San Francisco, Coalition for Public Safety, Omidyar Network, City of New York, United Way, Annie E. Casey Foundation, D.C. Central Kitchen, Unilever, News Corp, Living Cities, Brookings Institution, and New York University. 

About the Presidio Institute                                                                                                                                                      

The Presidio Institute is located at historic Fort Scott, a stunning 20-acre campus overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and the former command center for the Army Coast Artillery Corps.  Building on the Presidio's legacy of service and public-private partnerships, the Presidio Institute provides transformational experiences that inspire, encourage, and empower leaders to make measurable, positive impact in their communities. 

The Presidio Institute is an initiative of the Presidio Trust, a distinctive federal agency created to save the Presidio and transform it for a new national purpose. The Presidio Trust's strategic direction includes a mission to create positive impact beyond its walls, through initiatives like the Presidio Institute, which engages individuals, nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions, government agencies, and private businesses to build a stronger pipeline of leaders who can stand up to the tests of our times. To learn more, visit: www.presidiotrust.gov/institute

About the Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust, a federal agency, is an innovation in the management of a treasured American place. The Trust was created to save the Presidio and transform it for a new national purpose. The Trust's vision is that the Presidio will be forever a public place: vital to the Bay Area, important to all Americans, and recognized for achieving broad benefits for the nation. Today, the Presidio welcomes visitors, is home to a vibrant community of residents and tenants, and inspires greater good through programs that draw on its history and natural resources. The Presidio Trust serves the public with events, lodging, venues, and recreational opportunities. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov

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