On Oct. 10, 2025, hundreds of Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program alumni gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark ten years of this extraordinary network. It wasn’t simply an anniversary –it was a living testament to what happens when leaders from every corner of the country commit themselves to service, community, and shared humanity.
Throughout the day, Scholars found different ways to express those values. In the morning, many chose to step into service, preparing meals at local nonprofit So Others Might Eat for neighbors experiencing food insecurity or partnering with D.C. Parks & Recreation to clean and restore public green spaces. Through these projects, Scholars demonstrated what has always defined this network: a commitment to strengthening communities and making service a cornerstone of leadership.
Later, nearly 90 alumni gathered for a topic-based working group focused on having difficult conversations and problem solving. In an age when disagreement too often leads to division, this community leaned into one of its greatest strengths: listening, learning, and engaging across differences. The session was both honest and hopeful, exploring how leaders can stay grounded in their values while still building bridges with those who see the world differently. For many, it echoed what PLS has always stood for, the courage to face difficult issues together and the humility to recognize that collaboration is stronger than conflict.
That night, the 10th anniversary alumni celebration brought together all ten PLS cohorts for a reunion of friendships, partnerships, and stories that span a decade. Conversations echoed with laughter and gratitude, with Scholars recalling moments when this community has rallied in times of crisis, opened homes to one another, or offered guidance and expertise when it was needed most. The energy in the room made it clear that PLS has become more than a leadership program. It is like a family, one that strengthens democracy and communities by supporting each other and leading with purpose, year after year.
Looking around the room at the 10th anniversary, there was no mistaking the power of this network. Leaders from government, business, education, health care, and nonprofits stood side-by-side as partners in a shared calling. The connections forged through PLS are strengthening communities, bridging divides, and shaping a vision of leadership that is grounded in service and fueled by hope.
Ten years ago, PLS began as an experiment. Today, it stands as proof that when people come together across differences, they can create something powerful, lasting, and full of impact. And the next ten years promise even greater influence, as this community continues to grow, collaborate, and serve.
Here’s to ten years of PLS –and to the next ten years of leadership and shared humanity.
