Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) 2026 | Leadership Program at Harvard for Global Social Sector Executives
- Omran Aburayya
- Nov 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
If you are an executive leading an institution that shapes communities and advances the common good, the Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) offers a rare opportunity to strengthen your leadership, expand your impact, and join a global network of high-level changemakers. Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort of this prestigious, year-long hybrid executive program. Designed for leaders in government, nonprofits, philanthropy, and education, SIEF provides world-class training—including a two-week residential institute at Harvard University—to help executives scale systems change and lead with purpose amid complex challenges.
🎓 SIEF Fellowship Summary
Location: Hybrid (Online + Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
Host Institution: Mountaintop International (with the Harvard Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics)
Programme Level: Executive Fellowship
Target Group: Early-, mid-career, and senior leaders in government, NGOs, philanthropy, social ventures, and education sectors
Fields of Focus: Social impact leadership, systems change, governance, nonprofit management, ethics, organizational strategy
Value: Tuition-based program (see details below); includes academic training, mentorship, coaching, virtual workshops, and certification
Duration: July 2026 – June 2027 (12 months)
Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
Start Date: July 2026 (beginning with the in-person Leadership Institute)
🌐 Fellowship Overview
The Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) is a globally recognized leadership program created for executives guiding institutions that influence community wellbeing, public service, and social transformation. In its third year, SIEF has already developed a reputation for delivering transformational leadership development, equipping participants with strategies, tools, and global networks to strengthen organizational impact in complex environments.
The program combines mentorship, executive coaching, adaptive leadership training, peer learning, expert sessions from world-leading academics and practitioners, and immersive experiences with U.S. institutions at the forefront of social impact.
Fellows emerge with:
Advanced strategic leadership capabilities
Strong negotiation and decision-making frameworks
Tools for systems change and organizational resilience
A global network of leaders from 175+ countries
An executive certificate from Mountaintop International
📚 Programme Structure
SIEF is divided into four structured phases, beginning in February 2026 and running through June 2027.
Phase 1: Online Preparation (February – June 2026)
A structured pre-program designed to set the foundation for the in-person institute.
Key components:
Visa application guidance
Individual leadership growth plans
Introductory virtual seminars on:
Adaptive leadership foundations
Systems change frameworks
Stakeholder relationships
Responsible leadership and culture building
Time commitment: up to 5 hours per month
Phase 2: In-Person Leadership Institute at Harvard (July 9–23, 2026)
Held at the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University, this is the centerpiece of the fellowship.
The Leadership Institute includes:
Expert breakout sessions (operational excellence, team culture, wellbeing, nonprofit finance, scaling models, theories of change)
Adaptive leadership labs led by Harvard Kennedy School faculty
Negotiation and crisis leadership workshops
Strategic storytelling and movement-building sessions
Immersive institutional visits (e.g., Massachusetts State House, Partners in Health)
Daily dialogues with practitioners, Nobel laureates, and global leaders
This two-week experience anchors the fellowship’s transformational impact.
Phase 3: Mentorship and Virtual Convenings (August 2026 – June 2027)
After returning home, Fellows continue with structured learning:
1:1 executive mentorship through Mentor Office Hours
Monthly virtual expert sessions
Quarterly deep-dive workshops
A multi-day virtual retreat
Opportunities to collaborate on cross-regional initiatives
Phase 4: Beyond the Fellowship
Graduates join a lifelong global alumni network with ongoing:
Collaboration opportunities
Leadership resources
Convenings and reunions
Peer learning groups
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Academic and Professional Training
Access to world-leading academics from Harvard Business School and Kennedy School
Workshops led by global practitioners, industry experts, and social sector innovators
Leadership Development
Frameworks for systems leadership
High-level decision-making tools
Strategies for leading teams under pressure
Cultivation of responsible, ethical leadership
Mentorship and Coaching
1:1 executive mentorship with top business and social impact leaders
Tailored coaching throughout the fellowship year
Global Networking
Engage with leaders from 175+ countries
Join a lifelong alumni network
Certification
Receive an Executive Certificate from Mountaintop International upon completion
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants may be:
Executives, directors, or leaders in:
Government
NGOs & nonprofits
Social enterprises
Philanthropic foundations
Educational institutions
Early- to mid-career professionals stepping into larger leadership responsibilities
Established leaders seeking to deepen strategic influence
Employer-nominated candidates
Applicants from any nationality
Women leaders are strongly encouraged to apply
No U.S. residency or affiliation is required.
💲 Program Cost and Financial Support
Tuition Fee: 4,000 USD
This covers:
Full participation in the Harvard Leadership Institute
All year-long virtual sessions
Executive mentorship
Workshops, coaching, and program materials
Certification and alumni membership
Payment Options
2 installments:
2,000 USD — due 30 days after selection
2,000 USD — due by March 15, 2026
Costs Not Included
Accommodation during the Harvard institute
Meals
Flights and travel
Visa fees
Support Provided by Mountaintop
Visa guidance & official invitation letters
Interview preparation coaching
Travel planning support
Pre-arrival guide (accommodation, transport, local info)
Common Funding Sources
Employer sponsorship
CSR and foundation partners
Professional development budgets
Personal or professional investment
📝 Application Procedure
Applications are submitted online via Mountaintop International’s official portal.
Application Steps
Complete online application form
Submit professional background details
Provide organizational information
Upload leadership statements or motivations (if required)
Participate in a selection interview (December 2025–January 2026)
🗂️ Documents Required
Although specific documents may vary, applicants should prepare:
Updated CV/Resume
Leadership or motivation statement
Employer nomination or support letter (if applicable)
Passport or national ID for verification
Professional biography or executive summary
Any additional materials requested during the interview stage
📆 Timeline
Applications Close: December 14, 2025
Selection Interviews: December 2025 – January 2026
Program Start: July 2026
Fellowship End: June 2027
Seats are limited, and cohorts remain intentionally small for deeper engagement.
👌🏻 Why Apply?
Social impact leadership is increasingly complex, requiring deeper skills in systems thinking, ethical decision-making, and strategic resilience. SIEF has consistently achieved 100% participant satisfaction with a perfect Net Promoter Score, highlighting its profound impact on leadership trajectories.
Whether you're navigating turbulent change, scaling a mission-driven organization, or leading public innovation, this fellowship offers the structured space to grow, learn, and connect at the highest level.
