Reflections from the 2026 Collaborative Governance Lab and Local Elected Leadership Institute
From January through June 2026, Local Progress and Sage Leaders proudly hosted the second Washington Collaborative Governance Lab (CGL) and Local Elected Leadership Institute (LELI), a dual track program bringing together 16 local elected officials from across the state for a leadership development program focused on collaborative governance, values-based leadership, and effective policymaking.
The program launched on January 30-31 in Seattle with the Collaborative Governance Academy, where participants built relationships, sharpened leadership skills, and explored key concepts including collaborative governance, power mapping, agenda setting, leadership styles, and self-care.. The cohort included city council members, deputy mayors, county commissioners, and other local leaders representing communities across Washington, from Aberdeen and Pasco to Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Port Angeles.
Over the following months, participants gained skills and learnings through trainings on cutting through the red tape to transform their communities, participatory budgeting, communications, policy development grounded in collaborative governance. Through peer learning and practical skill-building, cohort members strengthened their ability to advance local priorities, build authentic partnerships, and lead effectively in complex political environments. Just as importantly, they formed connections with fellow local elected officials facing similar challenges and opportunities across the state.
A screenshot from our virtual sessions!
In May, we hosted our final session on Policy Creation and Implementation, where participants examined the full policy cycle through a collaborative governance lens, focusing on community engagement, implementation planning, and accountability.
On June 5, cohort members, partners, and supporters gathered in Seattle to celebrate the completion of the program, reflect on lessons learned, and recognize the relationships and leadership which emerged over six months of shared learning and collaboration.
Participants pose for photos at our amazing graduation celebration in June!
As the second Washington CGL and LELI cohort comes to a close, participants leave with stronger networks, practical governance tools, and a shared commitment to advancing equitable, collaborative governance across Washington. The success of this cohort reflects the growing strength of values-aligned local leadership across the state and the power of investing in elected officials who are committed to learning, collaborating, and standing with their communities.