Celebrating the NLLI Year 11 Graduates
This year marks a milestone for the labor movement as the National Labor Leadership Initiative (NLLI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its Year 11 cohort — a dynamic group of leaders who are shaping the future of worker power across industries, communities, and borders.
Hailing from unions, worker organizations, and advocacy groups across North America and beyond, these 33 graduates bring decades of experience, deep commitment, and a shared vision for a more just and equitable world of work. Over the course of the program, they strengthened their skills in strategic leadership, organizing, coalition building, and equity-driven change — all while building bonds that will last far beyond the classroom.
From leading groundbreaking contract campaigns and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, to championing climate justice and workers’ rights on the global stage, the members of this cohort embody the courage, creativity, and collaboration that today’s labor movement demands. They include presidents of national and local unions, frontline organizers, policy advocates, and movement strategists whose work impacts millions of working people.
The NLLI Year 11 graduates have navigated industries as varied as education, hospitality, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, public service, and environmental justice. They have fought for fair wages, safe workplaces, expanded benefits, and dignity for workers across the spectrum — from restaurant staff to utility workers, from teachers to ironworkers.
Together, they are building the resilient, inclusive labor movement needed for the challenges and opportunities of our time.
We celebrate these leaders for their achievements and look forward to the bold steps they will take next. Congratulations to the NLLI Year 11 graduates — the future of labor leadership is in strong hands.
