HECFAA Professional Development
HECFAA Leadership Initiative (HLI) Program
Cohort 2 begins January 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 8, 2024
We are proud to announce the second cohort of the HECFAA Leaders Initiative (HLI).
What is HLI?
The HECFAA Leadership Initiative (HLI) is a leadership development program launched in 2024 by the Hispanic and Latin Employee Council for the Foreign Affairs Agency (HECFAA) at the U.S. Department of State. HLI seeks to enhance and accelerate racial and ethnic diversity within the senior ranks of the State Department. It equips mid-level professionals with the skills and confidence needed to successfully compete for and excel in senior leadership roles.
This is a highly interactive virtual program aiming to strengthen participants’ leadership ability, expand their professional networks and relationship-building skills, and increase their effectiveness as champions of diversity, equity inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
What is the HLI Program focus?
The program rests on three pillars:
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Relationship Building: Providing networking opportunities, access to mentors and potential sponsors, peer support, and managerial training.
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Skill Development: Emphasizing leadership development, cross-cutting job skills, and practical sessions on topics such as bidding and performance evaluations.
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Culture: Exploring the challenges and advantages of Hispanic/Latin cultural backgrounds within the State Department environment.
Who is eligible to apply to participate HLI?
Applicants must:
- Be current Department of State career employees for at least one year.
- Be FS-01s and FS-02s. Open to Generalists and Specialists.
- Be GS-14s and GS-15s.
- Be a HECFAA member in good standing, see HECFAA Membership
- Demonstrate progressively strong leadership skills and potential to serve successfully in senior government positions.
- Exhibit sustained commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
- Be able to join program launch on January 14 and 16 and a minimum of 80 percent of program sessions rotating monthly between 7- 9 am EST and 9-11 am EST. Please note the sessions will be held Eastern Standard Time. Total commitment is an eight-hour launch and five-six hours per month between February to May and September to December.
How competitive is the HLI program?
NOTE: HECFAA does not make participant selections based on any legally protected EEO category.
What does the HLI Program application require?
The application must submit a HECFAA Leaders Initiative application form (must be in OpenNet) including the following:
- Employee’s supervisor must allow the applicant to participate in the program and understand the required time commitment of an 8-hour launch in January and 5-6 hours per month from February to May and September to December.
- A one-page letter of recommendation from a State Department employee (leader, supervisor, peer, or subordinate) addressing the applicant’s leadership potential, highlighting demonstrated commitment to DEIA, and any experience mentoring and developing others.
- One-page statement of interest highlighting how the HECFAA Leaders Initiative, will support the applicant’s long-term career goals at the State Department and discussing the applicant’s potential for promotion to senior leadership positions. Format: One page with Calibri font, size 12.
- One to two-page resume as a PDF. This should include your employment history, education, honors, and awards.
- Runs through December 2025, with a break from June- August;
- Includes monthly virtual sessions for 4 hours on leadership development topics, practical skill-building exercises, and peer group sessions;
- Requires participants' commitment to attend monthly 2-hour virtual sessions rotating between 7- 9 am EST and 9-11 am EST.
- Requires participants' commitment to developing a plan to mentor/sponsor others to be implemented after the completion of the program.
- May require an additional one-two hours per month to complete read ahead material, preparation for mentorship meeting, small group meetings (1 hour mentorship pod, and 1 hour PEG), etc.
Employee’s supervisor must allow the applicant to participate in the program and understand the required time commitment of an 8-hour launch in January and 5-6 hours per month from February to May and September to December.
Key Dates:
- November 8, 2024: Deadline for application submission
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December 13, 2024: Candidates informed of selection decision
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January 15: Deadline for candidates to confirm their participation
- January 14, 2025: Program Launch / 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST
- January 16, 2025: Program Launch / 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
- February 11, 2025: Virtual Module 1 / 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST
- March 13, 2025: Virtual Module 2 / 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
- April 8, 2025: Virtual Module 3 / 7:00 AM - 9AM EST
- May 8, 2025: Virtual Module 4 / 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
- June/July/August 2025: Summer Break - No sessions
- September 9, 2025: Virtual Module 5 / 7:00 AM - 9AM EST
- October 9, 2025: Virtual Module 6 / 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
- November 4, 2025: Virtual Module 7 / 7:00 AM - 9AM EST
- December 4, 2025: Virtual Module 8 / 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 8, 2024
For addtional questions, email: HLIProgram@hecfaa.org