Building Bridges, Inspiring Hope: The Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI)

By Julia Carboni

At a time when polarization feels insurmountable, the inaugural cohort of the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI) offers a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together. This innovative program, delivered by the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance on behalf of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), equips city elected officials with collaborative leadership skills to address the complex challenges facing Washington State’s communities.

In the summer and fall of 2024, we ran an inaugural cohort that included 45 elected officials representing diverse cities across the state, ensuring a balance of demographic, geographic, and political perspectives. The program’s curriculum spanned five sessions, combining in-person and virtual learning to provide participants with the tools of collaborative governance. The sessions covered topics including managing conflict, sustaining relationships, engaging the public, and framing discussions around shared interests.

The results speak for themselves:

• Enhanced Leadership Skills: Participants reported transformative growth in collaborative skills like active listening, managing conflict, and building consensus.
• Stronger Connections: A renewed sense of belonging emerged as leaders built meaningful relationships with peers across divides.
• Real Impact: 96% of participants said WA-CELI made them better leaders, and 94% would recommend the program to others.

WA-CELI is a bright spot in a polarized world. It reminds us that hope and progress are possible when leaders prioritize connection over division and public service over politics.

I invite you to explore the Evaluation Report for more details on this inspiring program. Together, let’s continue to invest in building stronger democracy and the civic health of our communities.

Julia Carboni is the Director of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and served as a facilitator for the WA-CELI program. She is also a professor in the Washington State University School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs and a distinguished scholar in the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Julia is an award-winning leader with expertise in using collaboration to improve community wellbeing. She has extensive volunteer experience, regularly mentors BIPOC and female scholars, and serves on the boards of international, national, and local organizations.