Applications for 2026 now open!

ULI Boston’s Center for Leadership is a curriculum-based program designed to educate and mentor the next generation of Boston leaders. The mission of the Center for Leadership is to cultivate leadership development by informing a select group of emerging leaders as to the transformative dynamics emerging within Boston’s real estate and land use industries, and to promote their engagement in the process.

The eleven-month program is comprised of eight program days, a tour, and graduation day. Each program day has a specific topic of focus, and takes place at different locations around the Boston area. Individual program days are hosted by a Center for Leadership Sponsor/Partners organizations.

View the roster for the 2025 cohort here.

2025 Program Day Schedule:
Program Day 1 Kickoff – Thursday, January 16th, 2025
Boston in Context

Program Day 2 – Thursday, February 13th
The Real Estate Development Process

Program Day 3 – Thursday, March 13th
Transportation and Mobility

Program Day 4 – Thursday, April 17th
Sustainability & Resiliency

Program Day 5 – Thursday, May 8th
Housing & Economic Development

Program Day 6 – Thursday, June 12th
Capital Markets

Tour Day- Thursday, July 31st

Program Day 7 – Thursday, September 18th
Public Policy

Program Day 8 – Thursday, October 9th
Technology & Innovation

Thursday, November 13th
Beyond Boston/Graduation Luncheon

Curriculum:
Program Days will focus on land use and commercial real estate themes including Housing and Economic Development, Design and Construction, Capital Markets, Fundamentals of the Development Process, Urban Design, Policy and the Public Sector, and more. Participants will learn from industry leaders presenting case studies, panel discussions, and roundtable conversations. Leadership topics will be presented in both land use and skills building contexts.

The Participants:
Ideal participants are mid-career, Boston-based professionals, who work either directly or indirectly in, and have a strong working knowledge of, the real estate and/or land-use sectors.

Candidate Criteria:
•Emerging Leader: Individuals poised to assume leadership positions in their organization or profession in the near-term (the next two to five years).

•Education: Undergraduate degree or higher.

•Work Experience: Minimum of 10 years experience in the real estate industry or related field, including development, architecture, planning, government, transportation, engineering, finance, sustainability, and community development.

Applicants are required to provide the following:
▪ Completed application
▪ Short Essay
▪ Letter of Recommendation
▪ Resume and Biography

2026 Program Day Schedule

Program Day 1 Kickoff – Wednesday, January 21st
Program Day 2 – Wednesday, February 25th
Program Day 3 – Wednesday, March 25th
Program Day 4 – Wednesday, April 29th
Program Day 5 – Wednesday, May 27th
Program Day 6 – Wednesday, June 17th
Tour Day- Wednesday, July 29th
Program Day 7 – Wednesday, September 30th
Program Day 8 – Wednesday, October 21st
Graduation Luncheon – Wednesday, November 18th

Tuition:
The Center for Leadership is a tuition-based program.

Tuition is due in advance of the Center for Leadership Kick Off Program Day. Tuition assistance is available for qualified individuals.
*Includes a one-year ULI associate membership.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applications are now open for the 2026 Center for Leadership.